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;
![The Scene Is Set](/media/5591772/the-scene-is-set_500x368.jpg)
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!
![Action!](/media/5591784/action_499x475.jpg)
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
![A Casualty](/media/5591787/a-casualty_500x443.jpg)
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
![A Reading](/media/5591788/a-reading_498x495.jpg)
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 Tables Are Ready](/media/5591789/the-tables-are-ready_494x205.jpg)
The Cast
![The Cast](/media/5591790/the-cast_500x280.jpg)