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Battle of the Somme centenary commemorations – live Battle of the Somme centenary commemorations – live
(35 minutes later)
12.08pm BST
12:08
Francois Hollande, David Cameron and Prince Charles have all given a reading now.
12.04pm BST
12:04
Charles Dance is now reading the poem Aftermath by Siegfried Sassoon. It goes...
Have you forgotten yet?...For the world’s events have rumbled on since those gagged days,Like traffic checked while at the crossing of city-ways:And the haunted gap in your mind has filled with thoughts that flowLike clouds in the lit heaven of life; and you’re a man reprieved to go,Taking your peaceful share of Time, with joy to spare.But the past is just the same--and War’s a bloody game...Have you forgotten yet?...Look down, and swear by the slain of the War that you’ll never forget.
Do you remember the dark months you held the sector at Mametz--The nights you watched and wired and dug and piled sandbags on parapets?Do you remember the rats; and the stenchOf corpses rotting in front of the front-line trench--And dawn coming, dirty-white, and chill with a hopeless rain?Do you ever stop and ask, ‘Is it all going to happen again?’
Do you remember that hour of din before the attack--And the anger, the blind compassion that seized and shook you thenAs you peered at the doomed and haggard faces of your men?Do you remember the stretcher-cases lurching backWith dying eyes and lolling heads--those ashen-greyMasks of the lads who once were keen and kind and gay?
Have you forgotten yet?...Look up, and swear by the green of the spring that you’ll never forget.
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Richard Norton-Taylor
A newly-discovered minute-by-minute eye witness account of the first day of the battle of the Somme described how British infantrymen were quickly cut down by enemy shells and machine gun fire amid utter confusion as smoke and gas enveloped the ground between the opposing trenches.
The diary of Major Francis Meynell of the disastrous day in which 19,240 British soldiers were killed and more than 38,000 wounded – the bloodiest day in the history of the British army - was uncovered in Staffordshire’s county archives. Meynell, from Burton-upon-Trent, was stationed at the northern end of the battlefield where the137th Staffordshire Brigade attacked the German-held village of Gommecourt.
The 1/6th North Staffords and 1/6th South Staffords formed part of the brigade and were in the first wave of attacks on 1 July 1916. Of the 523 officers and men of the 1/6th South Staffords, 239 were killed, wounded, or were missing. The 1/6th North Staffords lost 170 officers and men of whom 126 were never found.
On the day of the attack, Meynell kept a diary of events as they unfolded from his position in a cellar in the nearby village of Foncquevillers.
Meynell wrote his first entry at 6.25am. It simply read “bombardment begins.” Within minutes, by 6.47am, he noted “the drift of shell smoke” obscuring important landmarks. At 4.34pm, after 10 hours of battle, Meynell reported: “First absolute silence of 20 seconds since 6.50am”.
6.53am. B.232 (O.P.[observation post] reported ‘Observation poor. Enemy shelling front line with whizzbangs and crumps. Two 5.9. shells just fallen in front of battery.’
7.15am. C.232 [an observation post] could not tell me the direction enemy fire was coming from.
7.33am. We tried to get in touch with Right F.O.O. [forward observation officer] and Battalion Liaison Officer, but were unable to get any reply.
7.45am. A.232 (O.P.) reported that enfilade gun in ORCHARD (HANNESCAMP road) was being whizzbanged.
7.46am.Two infantry officers who came into HQ reported that there appeared to be more heavy enemy guns in action than on any previous occasion
7.52am. Out of communication with R battalion on artillery wire.
7.56am. Out of communication with L battalion on artillery wire.
8.08am. The orchard was reported as being shelled by 4.2 and 5.9.
8.11am. The 139th Bde Major reported that most of the infantry casualties were being caused by a machine gun on their right.
8.55am. Lt. Villa of 5th batt. Came in to HQ and reported that he had got into enemy first line which he found to be very strongly held. He was wounded in arm and in a bad way. He told us that the enemy came out of their dug outs after the first waves had passed over.
9.35am. Col. Goodman reported, ‘Things have gone badly. Scott (M.O.? [medical officer]) says first two waves started, but 3 and 4 were cut down before they got to first line as smoke apparently thinned.’
10.36am. The information at this time 3 hours and 6 minutes after 0.0. [ie zero hour] seemed very conflicting and no conclusion as to what had actually happened could be come to.
1.12pm. C.232 (O.P.) reported ‘Fancy infantry seen moving between little Z towards big Z. Cannot say for certain whether hostile or friendly. Could we say for certain.’ We reported had no knowledge.
1.15pm. C.232 (O.P.) reported they thought above were English.
4.34pm. First absolute silence of 20 secs since 6.05am
5.15pm. Bdr. Hale and Gr. Richards, A.323 battery, two of Lt. Clarke’s party came to report themselves to me. Their account was as follows: - Just before the attack started they were both put out of action by gas shells....They discovered the wire smashed to atoms for some distance. The reels of wire having been taken over by Lt. Clarke they returned to the battery, procured some more and went down again to the sap head to relay the missing part. Meeting with much difficulty in carrying out the work because of snipers and realizing the impossibility of getting across they decided to return and report to their battery commander who sent them to me. These men appear to have behaved extremely well under great difficulties. This is the second time that Gr. Richards has proved his excellence and courage as a wire-man.
9.52pm. C.232 (O.P.) reported, ‘Bombing seen and heard in German second line also flashes and smoke.’ Further orders for the artillery in connection with the proposed attack in the evening...The proposed attack was not successful.
Gill Heath, Staffordshire councillor responsible for the county’s first world war commemorations, said: “Meynell’s diary was a really exciting discovery for our Archives staff and gives us a frightening insight into how things unfolded on that terrible day. Publishing the diary for the first time is all part of our plans to commemorate the centenary of the Great War and highlight Staffordshire’s many contributions.”
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This was the reading by Sol Campbell.This was the reading by Sol Campbell.
Reading by Sol Campbell about former Clapton Orient (now Leyton O) player Willie Jonas #Somme100 pic.twitter.com/yCr8rexA5yReading by Sol Campbell about former Clapton Orient (now Leyton O) player Willie Jonas #Somme100 pic.twitter.com/yCr8rexA5y
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Rachel ObordoRachel Obordo
As letters are being read out at Thiepval (currently actor Jason Isaacs is narrating the proceedings), readers are sending in their own stories.As letters are being read out at Thiepval (currently actor Jason Isaacs is narrating the proceedings), readers are sending in their own stories.
Harry Norman Snape, born in 1893, was a prisoner of war (POW) after being captured at the battle of Trônes Wood. He wrote many letters during his time at the front until his capture on 10 July 1916. One of them dated 20 June refers to “The Day”, which was to become the first day of the battle of the Somme: Harry Norman Snape, born in 1893, was a prisoner of war after being captured at the battle of Trônes Wood. He wrote many letters during his time at the front until his capture on 10 July 1916. One of them, dated 20 June, refers to “the day”, which was to become the first day of the battle of the Somme:
We are training for ‘The Day’. We are only here for a day or two and then back. I can’t say when it’ll come off but when it does I think that we all shall be ready. Honestly, kid, I am going to try and do something. Nothing rash of course but I’m going to have a good try for honours. There are three of us here pals together, Clem Nixon, a chap we call ‘Ginger’ (H Rogers) & myself. The aforesaid Ginger is in for a Military Medal for attending the wounded under shell fire … This is the last letter I can write for a bit for post is stopped from here after tonight.We are training for ‘The Day’. We are only here for a day or two and then back. I can’t say when it’ll come off but when it does I think that we all shall be ready. Honestly, kid, I am going to try and do something. Nothing rash of course but I’m going to have a good try for honours. There are three of us here pals together, Clem Nixon, a chap we call ‘Ginger’ (H Rogers) & myself. The aforesaid Ginger is in for a Military Medal for attending the wounded under shell fire … This is the last letter I can write for a bit for post is stopped from here after tonight.
Best Love Harry.Best Love Harry.
Don’t worry. I shall be A1.Don’t worry. I shall be A1.
Love to all.Love to all.
A few days later Harry’s battalion assembled in Maricourt, just west of Trônes Wood, as part of a strategic offensive to capture the village of Guillemont. Although they crossed the first 200 yards of no man’s land without incident, they encountered heavy shell fire from the Germans.A few days later Harry’s battalion assembled in Maricourt, just west of Trônes Wood, as part of a strategic offensive to capture the village of Guillemont. Although they crossed the first 200 yards of no man’s land without incident, they encountered heavy shell fire from the Germans.
The Germans retaliated and Trônes Wood came under heavy bombardment. The allied troops found themselves locked in and were eventually bombed out. All were killed or, as in the case of Harry Snape, captured. Over 200 men were missing after the battle of Trônes Wood.The Germans retaliated and Trônes Wood came under heavy bombardment. The allied troops found themselves locked in and were eventually bombed out. All were killed or, as in the case of Harry Snape, captured. Over 200 men were missing after the battle of Trônes Wood.
Due to wounds on his hands and wrist Harry was hospitalised before being transferred to the POW camp in Hammelburg. He continued to write during his time there until his release and subsequent return home.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. Due to wounds on his hands and wrist Harry was in hospital before being transferred to the POW camp in Hammelburg. He continued to write during his time there until his release and subsequent return home.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.
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A century after the Somme, another war now seems less unimaginable, writes Simon Tisdall.A century after the Somme, another war now seems less unimaginable, writes Simon Tisdall.
Opinions vary about the origins of the first world war, but there is no doubt that the rise of aggressively chauvinistic nationalism in Britain and across Europe in the latter half of the 19th century, dressed up as respectable flag-waving patriotism, was a key factor.Opinions vary about the origins of the first world war, but there is no doubt that the rise of aggressively chauvinistic nationalism in Britain and across Europe in the latter half of the 19th century, dressed up as respectable flag-waving patriotism, was a key factor.
As Britain and its erstwhile allies and foes commemorate an awful byproduct of that phenomenon on Friday – the 1916 battle of the Somme – the spectre of unthinking, potentially violent nationalism and its ugly sister, hatred of foreigners, is once again stalking Europe.As Britain and its erstwhile allies and foes commemorate an awful byproduct of that phenomenon on Friday – the 1916 battle of the Somme – the spectre of unthinking, potentially violent nationalism and its ugly sister, hatred of foreigners, is once again stalking Europe.
Read the full piece below.Read the full piece below.
Related: A century after the Somme, another war now seems less unimaginableRelated: A century after the Somme, another war now seems less unimaginable
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Here is a picture of Cameron, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Hollande arriving. Here is a picture of Cameron, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Tte Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Hollande arriving.
Hollande-Cameron-PrinceCharles-PrinceWilliam-Kate-Camilla-PrinceHarry... BreKing news ;-) #Thiepval cc @BFMTV pic.twitter.com/TUXhPEfOI3Hollande-Cameron-PrinceCharles-PrinceWilliam-Kate-Camilla-PrinceHarry... BreKing news ;-) #Thiepval cc @BFMTV pic.twitter.com/TUXhPEfOI3
The new Europe. Francois Hollande not seeing eye-to-eye with David Cameron. Or the royals. #Thiepval #Somme pic.twitter.com/0tHBGlXAfsThe new Europe. Francois Hollande not seeing eye-to-eye with David Cameron. Or the royals. #Thiepval #Somme pic.twitter.com/0tHBGlXAfs
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Celebrities including Charles Dance and Sol Campbell are narrating the event. Letters and stories are being read out to the crowd.Celebrities including Charles Dance and Sol Campbell are narrating the event. Letters and stories are being read out to the crowd.
I’ll be reading a heart-breaking letter shortly, written by a footballer in the trenches, from The Thiepval Memorial @BBCOne #Somme100I’ll be reading a heart-breaking letter shortly, written by a footballer in the trenches, from The Thiepval Memorial @BBCOne #Somme100
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The Guard of Honour arrives at the #Somme100 commemorations at the Thiepval Memorial in France, ahead of VVIPS. pic.twitter.com/34w8108rHSThe Guard of Honour arrives at the #Somme100 commemorations at the Thiepval Memorial in France, ahead of VVIPS. pic.twitter.com/34w8108rHS
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Marine Le Pen, the head of France’s far-right National Front, is at Thiepval.Marine Le Pen, the head of France’s far-right National Front, is at Thiepval.
Je suis présente au mémorial de #Thiepval pour la commémoration de la Bataille de la Somme. #Somme100 pic.twitter.com/wlnKA47yNPJe suis présente au mémorial de #Thiepval pour la commémoration de la Bataille de la Somme. #Somme100 pic.twitter.com/wlnKA47yNP
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Michael D Higgins, the Irish president has arrived.Michael D Higgins, the Irish president has arrived.
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David Cameron has also arrived. This will be one of the last commemorative events he attends as prime minister. No doubt Cameron and Hollande have plenty to talk about …David Cameron has also arrived. This will be one of the last commemorative events he attends as prime minister. No doubt Cameron and Hollande have plenty to talk about …
Angela Merkel is not expected today, but a former president of Germany will attend.Angela Merkel is not expected today, but a former president of Germany will attend.
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François Hollande has arrived at Thiepval and is meeting part of the British delegation and French armed forces. Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have also arrived. The heads of state will gather and wait until all the principal guests arrive. The national anthems will be played before the heads of state take their place in the crowds, which have been waiting for up to three hours at this point.François Hollande has arrived at Thiepval and is meeting part of the British delegation and French armed forces. Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have also arrived. The heads of state will gather and wait until all the principal guests arrive. The national anthems will be played before the heads of state take their place in the crowds, which have been waiting for up to three hours at this point.
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At Thiepval, the band of the Welsh Guards have just finished performing and given way to the French military band. You can watch the proceedings live on BBC 1.At Thiepval, the band of the Welsh Guards have just finished performing and given way to the French military band. You can watch the proceedings live on BBC 1.
Arrivée dans la Somme pour la commémoration de la Bataille. Très impressionnant. @Mission1418 @IWM_Centenary pic.twitter.com/0PPs9cp4wtArrivée dans la Somme pour la commémoration de la Bataille. Très impressionnant. @Mission1418 @IWM_Centenary pic.twitter.com/0PPs9cp4wt
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Students have made a life-size paper recreation of the Battle of the Somme.Students have made a life-size paper recreation of the Battle of the Somme.
In 2014, dozens of students on Birmingham City University’s theatre, performance and event design course worked tirelessly to craft the installation out of paper and cardboard. The items were originally on show to mark the start of first world war, but today the images and time-lapse video of the exhibition are being revisited by students and graduates paying their respects on the Battle’s centenary.In 2014, dozens of students on Birmingham City University’s theatre, performance and event design course worked tirelessly to craft the installation out of paper and cardboard. The items were originally on show to mark the start of first world war, but today the images and time-lapse video of the exhibition are being revisited by students and graduates paying their respects on the Battle’s centenary.
Each figure, setting and item was made out of brown paper to portray a typical day on the battlefield. It featured trenches, poor outdoor sleeping quarters, injured soldiers and reproductions of the weaponry used during the conflict. It took students four weeks on a budget of only £450 to transform the exhibition space into a recreation of the first world war’s largest battle.Each figure, setting and item was made out of brown paper to portray a typical day on the battlefield. It featured trenches, poor outdoor sleeping quarters, injured soldiers and reproductions of the weaponry used during the conflict. It took students four weeks on a budget of only £450 to transform the exhibition space into a recreation of the first world war’s largest battle.
After completion, the Royal Air Force, who visited the site, took the full installation to its base at RAF Shawbury.After completion, the Royal Air Force, who visited the site, took the full installation to its base at RAF Shawbury.
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