Anniversary of The Battle of the Somme

Anniversary of The Battle of the Somme

29 June 2006

The Battle of the Somme was fought from 1 July to 18 November 1916. On the first day alone British forces suffered nearly 60,000 casualties, rising to a final total of 420,000 at the end of the battle. It remains the longest and most costly land battle in British history. The 90th anniversary will be marked on 1 July 2006 at key sites across the Somme area of France, attended by members of the Royal Family, senior UK, Commonwealth and French Government Ministers, and WWI veteran Henry Allingham, the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland.

Useful links

The First World War online exhibition in conjunction with the Imperial War Museum
First World War medals
Family history research using army and navy documents
War Diaries from the First World War
Pals Battalions
Focus on: Isaac Rosenberg (online exhibition
Civilians and War 1914-18 (online exhibition designed for schools)
The Great War (suitable for key stages 3- 4)