One hundred years on from The Battle of the Somme – remembering the men from Sale who died

One hundred days ago today over 200 men from Greater Manchester- some of them still boys – were killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.  Among the dead were some from Sale who left the town for France and found themselves caught up in one of the bloodiest battles of all time.

A century on Trafford’s Local Studies Centre is marking the tragedy with a series of events remembering men from Trafford – including those from Sale  area –  who were involved in the conflict.

Over the next week we at Sale Today will bring you some of the stories behind those soldiers who died – some just 17 –  and also list some of the other services being held in the area.

From  tomorrow to Saturday July 9 there will be a public display reflecting on the experiences and sacrifices of the men.

This will be backed with the ‘Trafford Dispatch Special Somme Edition’, an ongoing display which changes every month to reflect local war news. There will also be a 77 minute black and white silent film, The Somme, available courtesy of Imperial War Museum. The film, shot between June 26 and July 9 1916, will be shown at 2.30pm each day.

From Monday to Friday visitors to the Local Studies Centre will also have the chance to see original First World War archives. For many looking back at the time of The Somme will be emotional because they will have had family members who lost their lives in such a brutal way.

Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Transformation and Resources, Cllr Laura Evans, said: “It is hard to imagine the enormous impact World War 1, and in particular The Battle of the Somme, had on a whole generation. I am pleased that here in Trafford we are able to mark the centenary of this bloody battle in such a way and I am sure the exhibition, collection and film will leave a lasting impression on everyone who has the opportunity to see them.”

Anyone wanting more information about the Somme Commemoration 2016 can contact Trafford Local Studies at Sale Waterside, on 0161 912 3013, by email trafflocals@trafford.gov.uk or via Twitter @traffordarchive.