Unique act of remembrance acknowledges start of Somme battle

July 1 2016 marks the hundredth anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. July 1 1916 was the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army – on the first day of the Somme Offensive alone the British Army suffered over 60,000 casualties.

Groups from across the borough are combining to deliver a unique act of remembrance for those that died in the Somme Offensive. In the days running up to Friday July 1st and on the day that the battle started a range of commemoration events will acknowledge the sacrifice of those from the borough and nationwide who died or were injured.

7089397All are invited to attend the event.

The borough’s act of remembrance will take place at Carshalton War Memorial in an event which has been organised by Carshalton and Wallington Royal British Legion. The event is open to the ex-service personnel and the public. The Mayor and other local dignitaries and members of the Royal British Legion will pay tribute with a short act of remembrance at 8pm. During this event the church bells at All Saints, Carshalton, will ring half muffled and these will be joined by bells from St Dunstan’s Cheam which will also ring half muffled in honour of the fallen and stricken soldiers.

The bells of All Saints, Benhilton, will already have signalled this event by earlier in the week ringing their own tribute. As darkness descends attention will turn to the facia of St. Helier Hospital where the borough’s unique collection of glass plate images of soldiers who left from this area to go to war will be projected.

The projection will start at 9.30pm and will run for one hour. Photographer David Knights-Whittome’s shop was at 18 High St, Sutton and the complete Past On Glass collection can be viewed by clicking here.

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