A brief visit to the Somme. 1st July 2011

July saw Rob making his annual pilgrimage to the Somme Battlefields to join with other members of the “Friends of Lochnagar” in preparing the ground for the Remembrance Ceremonies at the “Lochnagar Crater” at La Boisselle.

This massive crater is the result of a huge mine that was detonated under the German front-line trenches by the British at 7.28am on the 1st July 1916 at the very start of the disastrous “Battle of the Somme”.

2 minutes later the whistles blew as a signal for the Infantry to go “over the top” leaving the trenches to charge into a hail of German machine-gun fire and barbed-wire entanglements.

The rim of the Lochnagar Crater with the new Great Cross of Remembrance. Left to right: Vin Felstead who conceived, organized and constructed the Cross, Richard Dunning who owns and preserves the site, Rob Perry.

The rim of the Lochnagar Crater with the new Great Cross of Remembrance. Left to right: Vin Felstead who conceived, organized and constructed the Cross, Richard Dunning who owns and preserves the site, Rob Perry.

1st July 2011 6.30am. Vin puts the finishing touches to the Great Cross

1st July 2011 6.30am. Vin puts the finishing touches to the Great Cross

1st July 2011  7.00am The crowds begin to gather

1st July 2011 7.00am The crowds begin to gather

1st July 2011 7.30am The Remembrance Service begins.

1st July 2011 7.30am The Remembrance Service begins.

1st July 2011 7.55am. The wreaths are laid.

1st July 2011 7.55am. The wreaths are laid

1st July 2011 8.05am. The poppies are scattered.

1st July 2011 8.05am. The poppies are scattered

1st July 2011  8.15am. The crowds encircle the Crater and join hands.

1st July 2011 8.15am. The crowds encircle the Crater and join hands.

1st July 2011  5.00pm. Remembrance Service at German Cemetery, Fricourt.

1st July 2011 5.00pm. Remembrance Service at German Cemetery, Fricourt.

1st July 2011 7.00am. The crowds begin to gather

1st July 2011 9.00pm. Massed Pipe Bands. Central Square, Albert.