The Battle of the Somme

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the commencement of The Battle of the Somme, fought from 1st July to 18th November 1916. The campaign was fought in the region of the River Somme in France, after which it is named. Although called The Battle of The Somme, it was actually a series of bitter battles fought to control the towns, villages, and woods in the Somme region, as the British and French armies sought to break the German lines. Today, the Battle of the Somme is often associated with the high casualties incurred on both sides. The Battle also witnessed the first use of Tanks in action, used by the British Army on 15th September at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette.

Grove Town Cemetery, Meulte, near Albert, where some of the British soldiers who died in the Battle are buried, including Sergeant Major Chalmers MC DCM of the 2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles.

All battalions of The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) serving on the Western Front would take part in the Somme campaign at some stage; the 9^th Battalion at Montauban in early July, the 1^st and 5/6^th Battalions at High Wood on 20^th July, the 10^th Battalion’s capture of Martinpuich on 15th September, and the 2^nd Battalion’s attacks at Hazy Trench in October to name but a few.

Over 1000 men of all ranks of The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) lost their lives during the Battle of the Somme. They are buried in the dozens of cemeteries scattered across the length and breadth of the battlefield. Those whose remains were never found or whose graves were subsequently lost are commemorated on memorials to the missing, such as that at Thiepval, where the names of over 70,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers who lost their lives on the Somme are recorded.

Graves of unknown Cameronian soldiers in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, near Longuveal.

In Low Parks Museum, Hamilton, you can see a small display of objects from the museum collection that relate to The Cameronians and the Battle of the Somme. Why not also join us on Thursday 14th July for an illustrated talk on the Battle, which will be followed by a screening of Geoffrey Malins’ film The Battle of The Somme, shown courtesy of the Imperial War Museum. The talk will take place at Low Parks Museum on Thursday 14th July at 11:00am, tickets cost £2.00. To book your tickets, please email or telephone Rhona McKinnon:

Rhona.McKinnon@southlanarkshireleisure.co.uk  Tel: 01698 476180

Entry to the showing of The Battle of the Somme is free; the film is due to start at 12:00 noon on Thursday 14th July at Low Parks Museum.

Please keep checking the blog for more updates and articles relating to The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) museum collections.

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