Historians to speak in Newbury on the Battle of the Somme

Town to commemorate centenary with a series of talks

EMINENT historians will deliver a series of talks in Newbury, marking 100 years since the Battle of the Somme throughout July.

The first day of the battle remains the worst day in the history of the British Army, when it suffered 57,470 casulties, around 20,000 of whom were killed.

After a series of attacks and counter attacks, including the first use of tanks on September 15, poor weather stopped the Somme Offensive on November 18, 1916. The British and French had gained 12km of ground.

Newbury Town Council will host a series of talks on Fridays throughout July.

Sir Max Hastings will launch the series on the centenary of the start of the battle on July 1, 1916, looking at the outbreak of the war based on his book Catastrophe 1914: Europe goes to War.

Newbury historian Phil Wood will speak on the battle on July 8. On July 15, oral historian at the Imperial War Museum, Peter Hart, will look at British field marshall Sir Douglas Haig and his role in the battle.

The former curator at West Berkshire Museum, Jane Burrell, will analyse the poets and poems of the Somme on July 22, before Newbury historian David Peacock speaks on First World War stained glass around Newbury.

All talks begin at 7pm.

Tickets cost £5 for each talk or £20 for the full series. Tickets are available from the town hall reception desk during office hours.

Proceeds will be donated to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal and the mayor’s charity West Berkshire Mencap.