Post by Johnny on Jun 30, 2006 19:59:44 GMT
On July 1st 1916, the British and French armies launched a massive attack against the German defences at the Battle of the Somme.
At 7.30am in the morning, some 750,000 British troops (in 27 Divisions), left their trenches and marched towards the enemy with bayonets fixed.
They had been told that it would be the big decisive battle of the war - a real chance to bring the war to an early end.
But, things went disasterously wrong.
The German defences were largely intact, and the lads of the British Infantry Divisions were marching slowly towards the Germans, who had their machine guns and mortar bombs at the ready.
By the end of that morning, the British Army had suffered some 20,000 men killed, and nearly 40,000 wounded. It was the worst single day in British history.
Amongst the casualties was a 28-year-old private of the Norfolk Regiment named Herbert James Bennett. He lived in Diss, and had joined as a volunteer in the 8th Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment.
Like so many soldiers on that day - he died out there on the Somme battlefield; and what makes things even more sad is the fact that his body was never found. He was lost amongst the utter carnage of that dreadful battlefield.
How do I know this?
Well, as some of you know - Kitty & I trade in military collectables.
A few years ago, I spotted a framed letter in a Norwich antique centre. As it was relating to a local Norfolk soldier, I picked it up, intending to sell it on.
But when I done some research on it - I realised it's full significance.
The soldier named in the letter was H. J. Bennett, and he died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
If you go onto the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website - you will find his other details, and the fact that his name is on the Thiepval Memorial, indicating that he was never found.
We have never sold that letter, and since acquiring it - it has hung in our front room, in memory of a brave local man who volunteered to fight for those "old-fashioned" principles of "freedom" and "democracy".
In today's world of triviality, constant hype, spin, and self-indulgence on the TV - perhaps we should spare a thought for those who sacrificed everything - to give us the things that we take for granted today.
At 7.30am in the morning, some 750,000 British troops (in 27 Divisions), left their trenches and marched towards the enemy with bayonets fixed.
They had been told that it would be the big decisive battle of the war - a real chance to bring the war to an early end.
But, things went disasterously wrong.
The German defences were largely intact, and the lads of the British Infantry Divisions were marching slowly towards the Germans, who had their machine guns and mortar bombs at the ready.
By the end of that morning, the British Army had suffered some 20,000 men killed, and nearly 40,000 wounded. It was the worst single day in British history.
Amongst the casualties was a 28-year-old private of the Norfolk Regiment named Herbert James Bennett. He lived in Diss, and had joined as a volunteer in the 8th Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment.
Like so many soldiers on that day - he died out there on the Somme battlefield; and what makes things even more sad is the fact that his body was never found. He was lost amongst the utter carnage of that dreadful battlefield.
How do I know this?
Well, as some of you know - Kitty & I trade in military collectables.
A few years ago, I spotted a framed letter in a Norwich antique centre. As it was relating to a local Norfolk soldier, I picked it up, intending to sell it on.
But when I done some research on it - I realised it's full significance.
The soldier named in the letter was H. J. Bennett, and he died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
If you go onto the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website - you will find his other details, and the fact that his name is on the Thiepval Memorial, indicating that he was never found.
We have never sold that letter, and since acquiring it - it has hung in our front room, in memory of a brave local man who volunteered to fight for those "old-fashioned" principles of "freedom" and "democracy".
In today's world of triviality, constant hype, spin, and self-indulgence on the TV - perhaps we should spare a thought for those who sacrificed everything - to give us the things that we take for granted today.