THE COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE AT THIEPVAL FOR THE 100^th ANNIVERSARY OF THE START OF
THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME.

JULY 1^st 1916 -2016

The service, in front of an audience of some 10,000 people, reflected the story of the whole battle, capturing the scale and reach of the conflict, and the impact it had on the lives of all communities in the United Kingdom and in France.

The service used music, readings and hymns to tell the story of the Somme with participation from Heads of State, senior politicians, the Archbishop of Canterbury, BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Morriston Orpheus Choir, the French Army Choir, the Bands of the Welsh Guards and French Military band..

600 school children (300 French and 300 UK) participated in the final commemorative moment, each laying a posy on the 600 graves.

Images from BBC TV programme 01.07.2016