The Somme came to Rickmansworth on Sunday, 20th November, 2016 in the shape of an Army tent and our Army Cadet Force, enacting scenes from 1st July 1916, northern France;

The Scene is Set;

Colour Sergeant Instructor Sophie Gibbs, commanding the Rickmansworth Detachment of the Irish Guards, 3 Coy (Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Army Cadet Force) had master minded an event to commemorate the 100 years since the Somme offensive. Primed with just a single TRBL 'Somme Toolkit' and ably assisted by her Cadets and the Combined Forces Group she produced, directed and managed the drama and scene-setting of one of the most memorable experiences I can recall.

Action!

The action consisted of a series of before, during and after scenes imagined from the 7:30am initial 'Over the Top' of 1st July 1916... these photographs give some sense of the occasion.

A Casualty Receives Treatment

Some of the scenes were interspersed with readings from the examples of letters written home, facsimilies of which were in the Somme Toolkit;

A Reading

To top it all, we were treated to a three course roast dinner, tabled in the Legion lounge area, which was dressed for the occasion by the crew.

The Tables Are Ready

The Cast