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Somme trench recreated in Welsh castle to salute battle's centenary Somme trench recreated in Welsh castle to salute battle's centenary
(2 months later)
A trench from the Somme has been recreated in the basement of a National Trust castle in Wales, to mark the centenary of the son and heir’s death from injuries sustained in the first world war battle.A trench from the Somme has been recreated in the basement of a National Trust castle in Wales, to mark the centenary of the son and heir’s death from injuries sustained in the first world war battle.
Powis Castle, a medieval fortress near Welshpool in Powys, came into the family of Clive of India in the 18th century. In 1915, 22-year-old Viscount Percy Clive joined the newly formed Welsh Guards. He survived heavy fighting in the second battle of Ypres, and the early stages of the Somme, but was gravely injured in the battle of Flers-Courcelette, and shipped back to hospital in London where he died a month later on 12 October 1916.Powis Castle, a medieval fortress near Welshpool in Powys, came into the family of Clive of India in the 18th century. In 1915, 22-year-old Viscount Percy Clive joined the newly formed Welsh Guards. He survived heavy fighting in the second battle of Ypres, and the early stages of the Somme, but was gravely injured in the battle of Flers-Courcelette, and shipped back to hospital in London where he died a month later on 12 October 1916.
His officers’ mess and a section of the trenches have been recreated from contemporary photographs, diaries and letters. His aunt described in a letter the night his mother learned he would not recover:His officers’ mess and a section of the trenches have been recreated from contemporary photographs, diaries and letters. His aunt described in a letter the night his mother learned he would not recover:
“Violet and I were called up about 12 o’clock and Violet ran down the street in a thin dressing gown … Our darling was unconscious and dying. My poor sister knelt by his side, his hand in hers, her head on his pillow … Dearest Clive never rallied.”“Violet and I were called up about 12 o’clock and Violet ran down the street in a thin dressing gown … Our darling was unconscious and dying. My poor sister knelt by his side, his hand in hers, her head on his pillow … Dearest Clive never rallied.”
Related: Scenes from the Somme: surreal, sickening spectacle
His death was the first in a sequence of family tragedies which brought the castle into National Trust ownership: his mother died in a car crash in 1929, and his younger brother was killed in a plane crash during the second world war. On his deathbed in 1952, his father bequeathed the castle to the trust.His death was the first in a sequence of family tragedies which brought the castle into National Trust ownership: his mother died in a car crash in 1929, and his younger brother was killed in a plane crash during the second world war. On his deathbed in 1952, his father bequeathed the castle to the trust.
The opening of the exhibition – which runs until 30 September – will be among scores of events across Britain and in France marking the centenary of a battle which began on 1 July 1916, and lasted 141 days with more than 1 million killed or wounded.The opening of the exhibition – which runs until 30 September – will be among scores of events across Britain and in France marking the centenary of a battle which began on 1 July 1916, and lasted 141 days with more than 1 million killed or wounded.
The main international ceremony will be at the Thiepval memorial in France, attended by politicians, descendants of those who fought and hundreds of schoolchildren. The memorial bears the names of 72,000 people whose burial place is unknown.The main international ceremony will be at the Thiepval memorial in France, attended by politicians, descendants of those who fought and hundreds of schoolchildren. The memorial bears the names of 72,000 people whose burial place is unknown.
There will be vigil services on Thursday at Westminister Abbey, and in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Northern Ireland, and a national service of commemoration in Manchester Cathedral on Friday. The service will be relayed to screens, and there will also be parades, exhibitions and free concerts in the city’s Heaton Park, which served as an assembly and training ground for troops heading for the front.There will be vigil services on Thursday at Westminister Abbey, and in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Northern Ireland, and a national service of commemoration in Manchester Cathedral on Friday. The service will be relayed to screens, and there will also be parades, exhibitions and free concerts in the city’s Heaton Park, which served as an assembly and training ground for troops heading for the front.
The Imperial War Museum in London is opening until midnight on Thursday, the eve of the battle, with special film, music and theatrical events and exhibitions. Admission is free.The Imperial War Museum in London is opening until midnight on Thursday, the eve of the battle, with special film, music and theatrical events and exhibitions. Admission is free.
A national two-minute silence is planned for 7.28am on Friday, marking the moment the first wave of soldiers went over the top.A national two-minute silence is planned for 7.28am on Friday, marking the moment the first wave of soldiers went over the top.