The World Rugby Memorial Project was launched in 2017 jointly between Francourt Events and the Conseil Departmental l’Aisne.
The aim was to build a lasting memorial dedicated to the rugby players of WW1, and this has now been extended to the memory of all rugby players who lost their lives in conflict.
The World Rugby Memorial was unveiled on Saturday September 16th 2017. Jean-Pierre Rives, the former French Rugby Captain created the “Ribbons of Memory” and is sited adjacent to the Le Monument des Basques.
The memorial is located on land owned by the Conseil Departmental l’Aisne on the battlefields of the Chemin des Dames. It was during the first battle of the Marne and Chemin des Dames where the first international players were killed in 1914.
Click here to visit the World Rugby Memorial website.
Along with the memorial the other part of the project is to produce a database of these players as a reference point and create an education element looking at the history of the game of rugby.
Along with the memorial the other part of the project is to produce a database of these players as a reference point and create an educational element looking at the history of the game of rugby.
It is the one place in the world where all rugby supporters can come and reflect on the rugby players of the past, whether they be internationals or club players.
We have always been supported by the rugby unions around the world, the military, clubs and schools and have hosted several events marking significant historic dates and locations.
Ronnie Simson, Blackheath, London Scottish & Scotland
First British International kia in WW1, September 1914
In 2020 we appointed our first Ambassador to the project, Mr Brian Rolfe from the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Brian is a lifelong rugby fan and shares the belief of combining sport, education and remembrance.
