Remembering

The poppy reminds us of the folly of War. In this place I call home the battle of the Somme has a special place. The offensive began at 7.30am on 1 July 1916. Many of the infantry who went over the top were volunteers of 1914, including Pals battalions made up of friends, relatives and workmates serving side by side. This was their first experience of a major action in the largest attack the British Army had yet conducted.
The first day of the Somme was the deadliest day in British military history – of the 57,470 British casualties, 19,240 men had been killed. But there was no question of suspending the offensive with the French still heavily engaged at Verdun. Ultimately the Battle of the Somme would continue for another 4 months.
At Thiepval, the 36th (Ulster) Division seized the Schwaben Redoubt, but was forced to withdraw because of lack of progress on its left and right.
Over the two days of the battle, the Division lost some 5,500 killed, wounded or missing and, of these, around 2,500 had been killed they lost 4,200 in July 1916.
We will remember them and pray that war will be no more.