THE BATTLE of the Somme was one of the defining events of the First World War, writes Helen Glennie.
It took place between July 1 and November 18, 1916, on both sides of the River Somme in France. It was one of the largest battles in the First World War in which more than 1,000,000 were wounded or killed.
There were huge losses of men on the day – July 1, 1916 – but the Somme offensive continued for a total of 141 days. Men from every part of Britain and across the Commonwealth took part.