Walks recall the Somme 100 years on

The centenary of the Battle of the Somme will be marked with walking tours giving people the chance to follow in the footsteps of soldiers who left the capital to fight on the British Army’s bloodiest day.

Experts aim to bring to life the First World War sacrifices of Londoners on July 1, 1916 with guided walks in central London. The first will take place exactly 100 years after the troops went over the top at 7.30am.

Charlie Forman, one of the expert guides who devised the walk, said: “As Europe prepares to remember the sacrifices of the Battle of the Somme, there have been shocking claims that many young people couldn’t even tell you in which war we fought the battle.”

Mr Forman said that London played a significant role in the battle which cost the lives of 19,240 British soldiers on the first day. The walk will show where the Civil Service Rifles mustered before heading for the front, the streets bombed by Zeppelins and where the decision-makers met.

The walks will be repeated each week until November, 100 years after the Somme campaign halted in the mud.