On Friday 1st July a dozen men dressed in uniforms of soldiers from the First World War walked silently and unexpectedly into Burngreave Library in Sorby House.
This was a nationwide commemoration of the centenary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme in France, which started on 1st July, 1916. This proved to be the most disastrous day in the whole of British military history. 19,240 men were killed on that one day from fifteen regiments, not including those who later died of their wounds.
One of the participants acting as a soldier said:
“It was really difficult to stay silent the whole day. You could see how people were reacting and wanted to share their family stories. At times the silence was broken by ‘We’re here because we’re here’, a song often sung in the trenches”.
Library users said it was a really moving experience as the men, dressed as soldiers, walked in silently. A library volunteer commented:
“There wasn’t a dry eye in the place. It was a truly fitting tribute. Everyone was given a card with the name of an individual soldier who had died on that day.”
It was a very powerful way to remember the men who went off to fight 100 years ago.
The Battle of the Somme continued until November 1916 with many more losses on both sides. Families in Burngreave may well know of family members who were involved in the First World War.
If you have any stories or photographs you would like to share, please get in touch with the MessengerOn Friday 1st July a dozen men dressed in uniforms of soldiers from the First World War walked silently andunexpectedly into Burngreave Library in Sorby House.
This was a nationwide commemoration of the centenary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme in France, which started on 1st July, 1916. This proved to be the most disastrous day in the whole of British military history. 19,240 men were killed on that one day from fifteen regiments, not including those who later died of their wounds.
One of the participants acting as a soldier said:
“It was really difficult to stay silent the whole day. You could see how people were reacting and wanted to share their family stories. At times the silence was broken by ‘We’re here because we’re here’, a song often sung in the trenches”.
Library users said it was a really moving experience as the men, dressed as soldiers, walked in silently. A library volunteer commented:
“There wasn’t a dry eye in the place. It was a truly fitting tribute. Everyone was given a card with the name of an individual soldier who had died on that day.”
It was a very powerful way to remember the men who went off to fight 100 years ago.
The Battle of the Somme continued until November 1916 with many more losses on both sides. Families in Burngreave may well know of family members who were involved in the First World War.
If you have any stories or photographs you would like to share, please get in touch with the Messenger.