The Somme casualty figures were exacerbated by the fact that many of the troops committed were from the New Army, those units created in the first days of the war from volunteers.
Men who worked together or who had a common background all joined up and formed the Pals battalions and it was these units that went over the top on the 1st July.
Famously a battalion raised from the small town of Accrington suffered grievous casualties as did the Newfoundland Regiment and indeed the Ulster Division.
Brave men, clear in purpose and a sad loss to our nation.
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