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Battle of the Somme centenary to be marked by UK vigils | Battle of the Somme centenary to be marked by UK vigils |
(about 11 hours later) | |
All-night vigils will be held across the UK next summer to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme in World War One. | All-night vigils will be held across the UK next summer to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme in World War One. |
A national vigil is to be held on 30 June at Westminster Abbey, London, with overnight events being held in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Co Down. | A national vigil is to be held on 30 June at Westminster Abbey, London, with overnight events being held in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Co Down. |
There will also be a commemorative service the following day at Manchester Cathedral. | There will also be a commemorative service the following day at Manchester Cathedral. |
There were more than 600,000 British and French casualties in the battle. | |
Announcing the commemorations, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale said: "We must never forget the scale of what happened at the Somme. | Announcing the commemorations, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale said: "We must never forget the scale of what happened at the Somme. |
"More died on the first day of battle than any other day of the First World War. Almost every family in the country was touched by the devastating losses. | "More died on the first day of battle than any other day of the First World War. Almost every family in the country was touched by the devastating losses. |
"I hope people of all generations up and down the country will have the chance to attend an event and honour the bravery of those who sacrificed so much." | "I hope people of all generations up and down the country will have the chance to attend an event and honour the bravery of those who sacrificed so much." |
The overnight vigils on 30 June will take place at: | The overnight vigils on 30 June will take place at: |
There will also be a programme of overnight events at the Imperial War Museum in London that night. | There will also be a programme of overnight events at the Imperial War Museum in London that night. |
The commemorative service will be held on 1 July at Manchester Cathedral, followed by a procession through the city to Heaton Park. | The commemorative service will be held on 1 July at Manchester Cathedral, followed by a procession through the city to Heaton Park. |
And further events will take place at Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries and memorials. | And further events will take place at Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries and memorials. |
The government had already announced plans for an event on 1 July at Thiepval in northern France, where a memorial holds the names of 72,000 fallen soldiers who have no known graves. | The government had already announced plans for an event on 1 July at Thiepval in northern France, where a memorial holds the names of 72,000 fallen soldiers who have no known graves. |
Around 10,000 people are expected to attend next year's event at the memorial, with 8,000 selected by ballot. | Around 10,000 people are expected to attend next year's event at the memorial, with 8,000 selected by ballot. |
The Battle of the Somme began on 1 July 1916 and did not end until 18 November that year. | The Battle of the Somme began on 1 July 1916 and did not end until 18 November that year. |
The aim of the offensive was to achieve a clear victory for the British and French, but the campaign turned into a stalemate, with soldiers struggling to gain any ground after heavy rains in October. | The aim of the offensive was to achieve a clear victory for the British and French, but the campaign turned into a stalemate, with soldiers struggling to gain any ground after heavy rains in October. |
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