Your families and the Somme
The Battle of the Somme began 100 years ago on 1 July 2016 with the Allied objective of advancing along the banks of the River Somme to the French village of Thiepval and penetrating the German trench network called the Schwaben Redoubt.
Many Ulster families were affected by the massive losses which ensued…
Bob Bleakely, Bangor Parish
“One of my great uncles joined up just prior to turning 18 and two weeks short of completing an apprenticeship. He was badly shell–shocked and when he got home he wasn’t accepted as qualified because of those two weeks. He lost all faith in society as a result.
Another great uncle was gassed and died young because his lungs were so damaged. They were on dad’s side.
My great uncle on mum’s side was Jim Davidson who featured in the BBC NI documentary, Voices 16: Somme. My son Jonathan and nephew Peter were filmed at the battlefield.
Jim was shot in the head crossing no man’s land on 1 July. Already wounded in the knee, he was making his way back from the assault towards Schwaben Redoubt having reached the second German line and manned his Lewis gun until he ran out of ammunition. “
Read more about Jim Davidson on the BBC Voices 16 website here.
Jane Corbett, Dromore Cathedral
“I had a paternal grandfather and four great uncles in the 36th Division. Four of the five returned, but I had three great aunts who lost fiancés and never married. Aunt Theo was engaged to a doctor, she often spoke of him, especially when I was marrying a doctor. “
Bill Christie, St Finnian’s
My father survived the war, although he didn’t speak much about it and lived till he was almost 95. He was strongly involved with the Church of Ireland, as a member of General Synod and a founder of the Church of Ireland Men’s Society.
Thanks to the fact that he made audio recordings for the Somme Association we have his experiences in his own words. That’s one of the reasons he was featured in Voices 16: Somme.
Read more about Jack Christie’s experiences on the BBC Voices 16 website here.
The Battle of the Somme continued until November 1916. Share your family’s experience with us via Facebook or Twitter.
(Photographs used with permission).