Silence to mark 100 years since the Battle of the Somme

UK to observe silence to mark 100 years since the Battle of the Somme

The nation is being asked to fall silent for two minutes on 1 July to mark 100 years since the start of the Battle of the Somme.

At 7:28am the UK will hold a national two minute silence to mark the moment the first wave of soldiers went over the top in one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.

It will follow the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery firing guns from Parliament Square for 100 seconds and a reading in Westminster Abbey.

Whistles will be blown to mark the end of the two minute silence after the 7:30am chimes of Big Ben.

The Battle of the Somme resulted in over one million casualties on all sides throughout the 141 day battle.

On 1 July a series of commemorative events will be held during which the nation will remember those who lost their lives and loved ones on the French battlefields.

This silence will be observed in all UK Government buildings and the public are being encouraged to join in observing the silence.