9OTH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE
BATTLE OF THE SOMME
This year (2006) marks the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
On the first day Ist July 1916 the British Army lost more men in a single day than before or since. Some research has been done by a local historian, Joan Soole, into the men from Colchester who died on that day and she has come up with 9 names, together with their respective regiments and where they are buried or, in most instances, commemorated.
There is also in Colchester Cemetery the graves of three Australian Soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Somme (though not on the first day), who died in the Military Hospital here in Colchester.
Four of the regiments mentioned were stationed in Colchester at that time and all saw action on the Somme.
JOAN SOOLE
may be contacted at:
5 Lincoln Way
Colchester
C01 2RL
Tel: 01206 530621
e-mail: j.soole@hotmail.co.uk
MEN FROM COLCHESTER
KILLED ON
IST JULY 1916