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| Battle of the Somme centenary commemorations – live | Battle of the Somme centenary commemorations – live |
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| 5.11pm BST | |
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| Helen Pidd | |
| Tributes in Manchester cathedral at an official commemoration service to the Somme were paid not just to fallen Britons but also to those on the other side, reports the Guardian’s Helen Pidd. | |
| She says that a number of Germans were present to remember their dead, joining other attendees including the Chancellor, George Osborne, and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. | |
| A letter from a soldier called Wilhelm Karl Scheuermann was read out in his native German, in which the young Gefreiter (corporal) told his parents that: | |
| one has to say that the Tommy achieves very little — even though he has a superiority in everything, they are not getting past us Swabians. | |
| Another reading, by Jack Benjamin, was a letter home from the front, written by 2nd Lieutenant John Sherwin Engall - 16th London Regiment. Dated 30 June 1916, Engall wrote: | |
| I have a strong feeling that I shall come through safely but nevertheless, should it be God’s holy will to call me away, I am quite perpared to go; and, I could not wish for a finer death; and you, dear Mother and Dad, will know that I died doing my duty to God, my Country and my King, I ask that you should look upon it as an honour that you have given a son for King & Country. | |
| Engall was killed the following day on the attack of 1 July, aged 20. | |
| 3.43pm BST | 3.43pm BST |
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| The Independent has a list of well-known figures who fought at the Somme. It includes: | The Independent has a list of well-known figures who fought at the Somme. It includes: |
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| The Guardian’s Maev Kennedy has reported that scraps of ribbons, figurines and toys, and religious medals are among a collection of charms carried by soldiers a century ago at the Battle of the Somme that went on display in an exhibition at the Science Museum on Wednesday. | The Guardian’s Maev Kennedy has reported that scraps of ribbons, figurines and toys, and religious medals are among a collection of charms carried by soldiers a century ago at the Battle of the Somme that went on display in an exhibition at the Science Museum on Wednesday. |
| Related: Museum marks Somme centenary with tribute to 'inglorious wounded' | Related: Museum marks Somme centenary with tribute to 'inglorious wounded' |
| A trench from the Somme has also been recreated in the basement of a National Trust castle in Wales. | A trench from the Somme has also been recreated in the basement of a National Trust castle in Wales. |
| Related: Somme trench recreated in Welsh castle to salute battle's centenary | Related: Somme trench recreated in Welsh castle to salute battle's centenary |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.37pm BST | at 3.37pm BST |
| 3.22pm BST | 3.22pm BST |
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| Ceremonies are taking place around the UK. | Ceremonies are taking place around the UK. |
| Today we remembered the sacrifices made by the Bradford Pals on 1st July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. #Somme100 pic.twitter.com/PmKQzTXMcN | Today we remembered the sacrifices made by the Bradford Pals on 1st July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. #Somme100 pic.twitter.com/PmKQzTXMcN |
| Civic dignitaries gather at the Town Hall to mark the centenary of the Battle of Somme https://t.co/0kYWw9TOhp pic.twitter.com/GaMfatWdj8 | Civic dignitaries gather at the Town Hall to mark the centenary of the Battle of Somme https://t.co/0kYWw9TOhp pic.twitter.com/GaMfatWdj8 |
| Thank you to @WoodbrookVale for inviting me to their Battle of the Somme commemoration today pic.twitter.com/EzhXong0lA | Thank you to @WoodbrookVale for inviting me to their Battle of the Somme commemoration today pic.twitter.com/EzhXong0lA |
| Today's event in Manchester, remembering those who fought during the Battle of the #Somme. pic.twitter.com/QJzWzVjZUi | Today's event in Manchester, remembering those who fought during the Battle of the #Somme. pic.twitter.com/QJzWzVjZUi |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.35pm BST | at 3.35pm BST |
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| 15:12 | 15:12 |
| Images have been beamed on to the White Cliffs of Dover. The words “Lest We Forget” and “Battle of the Somme” were among images shone on to the cliffs in Kent overlooking the Channel. | Images have been beamed on to the White Cliffs of Dover. The words “Lest We Forget” and “Battle of the Somme” were among images shone on to the cliffs in Kent overlooking the Channel. |
| As well as marking the Somme’s 100th anniversary, the event was staged to help launch a scheme to support Armed Forces veterans. Ex-Army corporal Hannah Campbell –who lost her left leg in a blast in Basra – is aiming to raise £1m to help veterans who have hit hard times. | As well as marking the Somme’s 100th anniversary, the event was staged to help launch a scheme to support Armed Forces veterans. Ex-Army corporal Hannah Campbell –who lost her left leg in a blast in Basra – is aiming to raise £1m to help veterans who have hit hard times. |
| Campbell said veterans sometimes face trauma, homelessness and poverty, as well as a need for retraining once they return to civilian life. With the help of the newly launched Veterans’ Lottery, she hopes to secure funding for projects to help change the lives of those who served their country. | Campbell said veterans sometimes face trauma, homelessness and poverty, as well as a need for retraining once they return to civilian life. With the help of the newly launched Veterans’ Lottery, she hopes to secure funding for projects to help change the lives of those who served their country. |
| Campbell, patron of the new Veterans’ Foundation, told the Press Association: | Campbell, patron of the new Veterans’ Foundation, told the Press Association: |
| July 1, 1916 was the heaviest loss in British Army history and those heroes gave everything to ensure our freedom. It is essential all of us remember that sacrifice. Lest we forget. At the same time, we must also be aware of what’s happening today, and those veterans that are in desperate need for help and support. We can’t change the past, but can learn from it and shape the future. | July 1, 1916 was the heaviest loss in British Army history and those heroes gave everything to ensure our freedom. It is essential all of us remember that sacrifice. Lest we forget. At the same time, we must also be aware of what’s happening today, and those veterans that are in desperate need for help and support. We can’t change the past, but can learn from it and shape the future. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.47pm BST | at 3.47pm BST |
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| 15:09 | 15:09 |
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| Manchester fell silent to mark a century since the start of the Battle of the Somme, the Press Association reports. Among the 60,000 casualties suffered on 1 July were friends, neighbours and workmates in towns and cities across Britain – particularly the north – who volunteered for the Pals battalions. | Manchester fell silent to mark a century since the start of the Battle of the Somme, the Press Association reports. Among the 60,000 casualties suffered on 1 July were friends, neighbours and workmates in towns and cities across Britain – particularly the north – who volunteered for the Pals battalions. |
| Thousands of men responded to the call of the Lord Kitchener Wants You poster at a time before conscription was introduced. Many of the Pals were involved in their first major action on that fateful first day of the first world war battle. | Thousands of men responded to the call of the Lord Kitchener Wants You poster at a time before conscription was introduced. Many of the Pals were involved in their first major action on that fateful first day of the first world war battle. |
| One hundred years on, thousands gathered in the city centre on Friday to pay their respects as Manchester hosted a series of commemorative events on behalf of the nation. A short service at the Cenotaph in St Peter’s Square started proceedings, which will culminate with an evening concert in Heaton Park which was used as a training camp for soldiers before they were sent to the trenches. | One hundred years on, thousands gathered in the city centre on Friday to pay their respects as Manchester hosted a series of commemorative events on behalf of the nation. A short service at the Cenotaph in St Peter’s Square started proceedings, which will culminate with an evening concert in Heaton Park which was used as a training camp for soldiers before they were sent to the trenches. |
| The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev David Walker, who led the service, said: | The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev David Walker, who led the service, said: |
| We remember those whose names are inscribed on the hearts of those whom they left behind as they departed for the battlefield. Names inscribed on memorials in this and many lands, names for whom there is no memorial, names of those known only to yourself, O Lord God. | We remember those whose names are inscribed on the hearts of those whom they left behind as they departed for the battlefield. Names inscribed on memorials in this and many lands, names for whom there is no memorial, names of those known only to yourself, O Lord God. |
| We represent today the many peoples and creeds that were ensnared in this deadliest of conflicts that took more than a million lives from 50 nations. | We represent today the many peoples and creeds that were ensnared in this deadliest of conflicts that took more than a million lives from 50 nations. |
| We pledge ourselves afresh today to work for a world where justice, peace and mercy will be sovereign - and war shall be no more. | We pledge ourselves afresh today to work for a world where justice, peace and mercy will be sovereign - and war shall be no more. |
| The Last Post was played followed by the firing of a gun to mark a two-minute silence from 1.38pm. Wreaths were laid by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Warren Smith, representing the Queen, Chancellor George Osborne and the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Carl Austin-Behan, before they viewed a march past in nearby Albert Square. | The Last Post was played followed by the firing of a gun to mark a two-minute silence from 1.38pm. Wreaths were laid by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Warren Smith, representing the Queen, Chancellor George Osborne and the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Carl Austin-Behan, before they viewed a march past in nearby Albert Square. |
| The 1,000-strong parade led by a 32-piece band from the King’s Regiment involved serving military personnel, regimental associations, various Royal British Legion branches and descendants of those who fought at the Somme. | The 1,000-strong parade led by a 32-piece band from the King’s Regiment involved serving military personnel, regimental associations, various Royal British Legion branches and descendants of those who fought at the Somme. |
| The parade made its way past the town hall on to John Dalton Street and along Deansgate to loud applause from onlookers. | The parade made its way past the town hall on to John Dalton Street and along Deansgate to loud applause from onlookers. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.23pm BST | at 4.23pm BST |
| 3.03pm BST | 3.03pm BST |
| 15:03 | 15:03 |
| Henry McDonald | Henry McDonald |
| An Irish government minister joined the Lord Mayor of Belfast at City Hall to lay wreaths at the war memorial. | An Irish government minister joined the Lord Mayor of Belfast at City Hall to lay wreaths at the war memorial. |
| In the new spirit of cross-border co-operation and Anglo-Irish relations, Dublin Cabinet Minister Leo Vradkar laid a wreath at the memorial in Belfast city centre. | In the new spirit of cross-border co-operation and Anglo-Irish relations, Dublin Cabinet Minister Leo Vradkar laid a wreath at the memorial in Belfast city centre. |
| Meanwhile in Dublin at the national military memorial the Irish Defence Forces joined members of the British Legion to herald in the day at 7.30am. | Meanwhile in Dublin at the national military memorial the Irish Defence Forces joined members of the British Legion to herald in the day at 7.30am. |
| The attendance of Minister Vradkar at Belfast City Hall is yet another sign post in the journey the Irish states has taken from the official policy of forgetting about the Irish who fought in British regiments in both world wars to the acknowledgement of their sacrifices. | The attendance of Minister Vradkar at Belfast City Hall is yet another sign post in the journey the Irish states has taken from the official policy of forgetting about the Irish who fought in British regiments in both world wars to the acknowledgement of their sacrifices. |
| All this is directly connected to the peace process in Northern Ireland over the last 25 years ushering in a new era of good relationships north and south, and on both sides of the Irish Sea. | All this is directly connected to the peace process in Northern Ireland over the last 25 years ushering in a new era of good relationships north and south, and on both sides of the Irish Sea. |
| 2.57pm BST | 2.57pm BST |
| 14:57 | 14:57 |
| A centenary event is now being held at Manchester Cathedral. You can watch a live broadcast on BBC News. | A centenary event is now being held at Manchester Cathedral. You can watch a live broadcast on BBC News. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.03pm BST | at 3.03pm BST |
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| 14:55 | 14:55 |
| The national archives, the official archive of the UK government, has today announced that its unit war diaries for the Western Front (WO 95) have now been digitised. For the first time you can research every diary, including all that relate to the Somme, and download online. | The national archives, the official archive of the UK government, has today announced that its unit war diaries for the Western Front (WO 95) have now been digitised. For the first time you can research every diary, including all that relate to the Somme, and download online. |
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| Men dressed as soldiers appeared in cities, towns and villages in a poignant memorial to those killed in the first world war battle, Charlotte Higgins reports. | Men dressed as soldiers appeared in cities, towns and villages in a poignant memorial to those killed in the first world war battle, Charlotte Higgins reports. |
| Waterloo station, London: 8am. “I’m here, under the big clock,” said a man into his phone. So were about 20 young men, immediately conspicuous because they were dressed in the various dull-green uniforms of the first world war: boots and puttees; highland dress; flared breeches. They were just there: not speaking, not even moving very much. Waiting, expressionless, for who knows what. A small crowd started to gather, taking photographs. A woman caught the eye of one of the men in uniform. She tried to speak to him. He looked into her eyes and, without speaking, pulled a small card out of his pocket and handed it to her. “Lance Corporal John Arthur Green,” it read. “1st/9th Battalion, London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles). Died at the Somme on 1 July 1916. Aged 24 years.” | Waterloo station, London: 8am. “I’m here, under the big clock,” said a man into his phone. So were about 20 young men, immediately conspicuous because they were dressed in the various dull-green uniforms of the first world war: boots and puttees; highland dress; flared breeches. They were just there: not speaking, not even moving very much. Waiting, expressionless, for who knows what. A small crowd started to gather, taking photographs. A woman caught the eye of one of the men in uniform. She tried to speak to him. He looked into her eyes and, without speaking, pulled a small card out of his pocket and handed it to her. “Lance Corporal John Arthur Green,” it read. “1st/9th Battalion, London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles). Died at the Somme on 1 July 1916. Aged 24 years.” |
| You can read the full piece below. | You can read the full piece below. |
| Related: #Wearehere: Battle of the Somme tribute acted out across Britain | Related: #Wearehere: Battle of the Somme tribute acted out across Britain |
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| Rachel Obordo | Rachel Obordo |
| Tending to the wounded, Ruby Chapman (née Cockburn) worked as a British Red Cross service nurse on the No 16 ambulance train which collected men from the frontline. | Tending to the wounded, Ruby Chapman (née Cockburn) worked as a British Red Cross service nurse on the No 16 ambulance train which collected men from the frontline. |
| The train was fitted with wards, kitchens, a dispensary, office, storerooms and accommodation. Ruby worked on the train for six months travelling to and from the casualty clearing stations near the front. Her pay throughout the war was £1 1s 0d a week, which is roughly £370 in today’s money. | The train was fitted with wards, kitchens, a dispensary, office, storerooms and accommodation. Ruby worked on the train for six months travelling to and from the casualty clearing stations near the front. Her pay throughout the war was £1 1s 0d a week, which is roughly £370 in today’s money. |
| Working on an ambulance train was hard work and there was a high illness rate among the personnel. The train often travelled at a snail’s pace. Air raids were frequent and the windows blew in with the force of the explosions. | Working on an ambulance train was hard work and there was a high illness rate among the personnel. The train often travelled at a snail’s pace. Air raids were frequent and the windows blew in with the force of the explosions. |
| Coping with large amounts of wounded men on the move made work incredibly intense. When not needed Royal Army Medical Corps staff sometimes went on long walks or played cricket and football with teams from other trains. Unlike military nurses, Red Cross nurses were allowed a degree of freedom when it came to mixing with men. Sometimes personnel returned to find the train no longer in the sidings and had to hitch a ride to get back on board. | Coping with large amounts of wounded men on the move made work incredibly intense. When not needed Royal Army Medical Corps staff sometimes went on long walks or played cricket and football with teams from other trains. Unlike military nurses, Red Cross nurses were allowed a degree of freedom when it came to mixing with men. Sometimes personnel returned to find the train no longer in the sidings and had to hitch a ride to get back on board. |
| In June 1918 No 16 train was hit by a bomb during a heavy raid in Etaples and it caught fire but luckily nobody was killed or badly injured. | In June 1918 No 16 train was hit by a bomb during a heavy raid in Etaples and it caught fire but luckily nobody was killed or badly injured. |
| In 1918 Ruby was awarded a Royal Red Cross second class. After the war she married Lt Philip Chapman in June 1919 and they moved to Yorkshire. Ruby was widowed in 1923 and moved south to support her young daughter. She died in the late 1960s surrounded by family in Bournemouth. | In 1918 Ruby was awarded a Royal Red Cross second class. After the war she married Lt Philip Chapman in June 1919 and they moved to Yorkshire. Ruby was widowed in 1923 and moved south to support her young daughter. She died in the late 1960s surrounded by family in Bournemouth. |
| You can share your photos and stories with us via GuardianWitness or by clicking on the ‘Contribute’ button at the top of the live blog. | You can share your photos and stories with us via GuardianWitness or by clicking on the ‘Contribute’ button at the top of the live blog. |