Old Front Line
WW1 Podcast with Paul Reed
First Day Of The Somme
On the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, we take a virtual walk along all eighteen miles of the Somme front from Gommecourt to Montauban, connecting to the landscape and discovering the stories of those who fought and fell on 1st July 1916: the First Day of the Somme. We also examine the casualties that day and ask where they are buried and commemorated.
BATTLEFIELD MAP:
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14 Comments on “First Day Of The Somme”
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Old Front Line 
On this day I spare a moment thinking about my Great Grandfather Richard Hannan of the 1st RDF’s who fell at the Somme on this date, he still resides out on the battlefield around Beaumont Hamel bless him.
And to all the others who fell at the Somme may they rest in peace.
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Thank you Paul….Though I have struggled for decades to immerse myself in other aspects of the conflict, in other theatres and in other campaigns, I’m always drawn back to that one fateful, misunderstood yet so tragic day….
Andy
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Thanks, Andy.
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Always an highlight of the week. Todays was especially poignant and powerful. The call of the battlefields is strong. Thank you Paul.
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Thanks, Jon.
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Thanks Paul for a tour de force of the 1 July battlefields and a moving account of the background to the casualties.
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Another excellent podcast, Paul. Linking a couple of things you said during it, my nan who was from Salford & over 100 when she died, could remember the lads going off to the Boer War. She once asked me if I knew who they were most afraid of in WWI and I pondered for a bit and answered “The Kaiser?” but she said no, they were afraid of the post boys. They would park their bikes at the top of the road and then walk down one side, delivering those awful telegrams to the terraced back-to-back houses, then back up the other side of the street. The waiting, and then relief as they passed your house… well, this time anyway.
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Thank you Paul for a superb podcast for the monumental 1st July 1916. Last May I went on AQWF with Leger & Andrew Thornton. I was awestruck & humbled walking & seeing parts of The Somme & battle sites, hearing the memories & stories of the friends, lost loved ones, families, the ignored thoughts of those who were at the front & the senseless losses. 1st July 1916 has had a significant effect on me. Signing up for a diploma in WW1, reading just about everything I can on The Somme & returning for The Somme Offensive with Leger in October. More people need to know & understand about the senseless loss of life & learn from it for the future.
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Thanks, Loraine – this is a subject that once it grips you, it really grips you and the power of these places is immense. I hope your next visit is memorable, too.
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Good evening
Having been on the Somme Offensive tour with Andrew Thornton at the end of May I can assure you it’s fantastic. There is an awful lot to see with not a great deal of time between stops, probably the most intensive leger tour I have been on in that respect. If you have any questions happy to try to answer them.
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Just brilliant Paul – I knew this would be a good one. Everytime I listen I feel I understand a bit more.
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Thanks, Matt.
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Dear Paul, I wholly appreciate all your passion, expertise and energy towards sharing this history and knowledge to any ears eager to listen. Many thanks from Canada.
I have a quoted poem here from a WW1 Canadian Veteran I heard and wrote down ages ago, wanted to leave it with someone. This is a fitting place, and occasion:
“I want to pay my own tribute, To the man who taught me so much of what true manhood is, I mean the fellow in the rear rank, Private number for 416729 John Smith. He was the man that really won the war, I can see him now in my mind’s eye, coming out of the line cumbered with muddy gear, His steel helmet at a rakish angle, The sweat running down over his grimed face, The eyes that might have been bitter but never were, The private in the rear ranks. The man who Grumbles at the rations and curse the working parties, and referred to his Sergeant’s in language which continually amaze me by his vocabulary, The man who was embarrassed when he was praised, and acutely uncomfortable should he be decorated, and yet everywhere and always could laugh, He was the fellow that broke the Hindenburg line and opened the road to the final victory, The man in the rear ranks. Whose shattered bodies fill the trenches over which the guns drove over in swift pursuit, I’ll never forget him and I thank God, I knew him.”‘
Flanders’ Fields: Canadian Voices From WWI.
Lest we forget.
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Thank you so much, Richard.
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