Royal Marines

Today's the day ........................ to march

In Manchester for the commemoration of the Battle of the Somme which began on this day - 1st July 1916 - a hundred years ago.

There was a lot going on through the day starting with the laying of wreaths at the Cenotaph in St Peter's Square.  This was followed by a civic parade co-ordinated by the Royal British Legion and Ministry of Defence through the streets to Manchester Cathedral where a national service of commemoration took place.  Tonight there was an open air concert in Heaton Park.  

The Battle of the Somme is remembered as one of the most tragic episodes in human history.  By the end of the first day 19,240 British soldiers had been killed and nearly twice that number wounded: the total of 57,470 casualties was and remains the highest suffered by the British Army in a single day.  The conflict was to last until 18th November 1916 by which time over 1,000,000 men had been wounded or killed on all sides .......................