A National Commemorative Service will take place at Manchester Cathedral on 1 July 2016 to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme the Culture Secretary John Whittingdale announced today.
The service will be followed by a people’s procession through Manchester to Heaton Park. The event will close with live performances of music, spoken word and dance, featuring the Hallé Orchestra.
There will also be a national vigil at Westminster Abbey on 30 June and there will also be vigils in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland so as many people as possible can come together and remember those lost at the Somme.
Culture Secretary, John Whittingdale said:
“We must never forget the scale of what happened at the Somme. More died on the first day of battle than any other day of the First World War. Almost every family in the country was touched by the devastating losses.
I hope people of all generations up and down the country will have the chance to attend an event and honour the bravery of those who sacrificed so much.”
The Battle of the Somme saw over one million wounded, killed or missing on the battlefields and affected the lives of millions at home.
Communities interested in projects exploring the impact of the Battle of the Somme in the trenches or on the Home Front can apply for grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s First World War: Then and Now £4 million fund.
Communities can also apply for funding to conserve and repair their war memorials as an act of remembrance.
National President of The Royal British Legion, Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson CB CVO, said:
“As the national custodian of Remembrance, The Royal British Legion is honoured to play a key role in the events commemorating the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. It is of huge importance that we continue to recognise the sacrifices made by the hundreds of thousands who fell during the 141 days of the Battle, and that we make our commemorations relevant and accessible to all generations. The Legion and Commonwealth War Graves Commission will be hosting daily Remembrance ceremonies at Thiepval and we will ensure the memory of those who lost their lives one hundred years ago lives on.”
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