THE Imperial War Museums and the Powerstock team responsible for A Dorset Parish Remembers are working together to show the UNESCO listed film The Battle of the Somme, to audiences across the world on July 1.
In the year of its release in 1916 around 20 million people, almost half the population of Britain at the time, watched The Battle of the Somme, many hoping to see the image of loved ones.
A Dorset Parish Remembers editor Richard Connaughton said: “We plan to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme on Friday, July 1 in Powerstock Hut by showing the 1916 Film The Battle of the Somme.
“We have no idea how many might wish to attend but entry is free, a stipulation of the Imperial War Museum.”
Fire regulations impose a limit upon the numbers permitted to be in the Hut at any one time but entry will be by ticket only on a first come first served basis.
Mr Connaughton added: “The Battle of the Somme was the first major offensive on the Western Front in which the British Army took the leading role.
“It was the British contribution to a coordinated offensive, with France, Italy and Russia, across Europe to defeat the Germans after the setbacks of 1915.
“Planning for the battle was very detailed, with the overall strategy aiming to carry out a sustained artillery bombardment over German positions lasting five days, followed by the infantry attack.
“Sixty per cent of the British Army had no battle experience. The army was told they would find the barbed wire blown away and German soldiers dead in their trenches.
“As the army advanced, the ‘dead’ Germans’ machine guns scythed through slowly advancing soldiers impeded by barbed wire. The first day of the battle, on 1 July 1916, was the bloodiest in the history of the British Army, with 57,740 casualties, including 19,240 dead.”
Anyone wanting to reserve tickets can contact Mr Connaughton on 01308 485002. He will be at his home at in Nettlecombe next Thursday June 16 to give out tickets.
The rest of the tickets will be divided between the Marquis and the Three Horseshoes from midday June 17.
A voluntary contribution may be made to the Parish’s Heritage Fund. The A Dorset Parish Remembers team is a member of the WWI Centenary Partnership.
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