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The Centenary of the Battle of the Somme


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July 1st 1916 was utterly tragic but the blokes of The 36th Ulster division - the Ulster Volunteer Force - carried themselves with great distinction.

 

Some posters may not like it but I want to pay tribute to the chaps from TFS who went beyond duty a century ago.  A shite and pointless war but the blokes from Ulster distinguished themselves.

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We were taught at school that when orders went to go over the top many of the Ulster soldiers disobeyed the notorious order to walk across no man's land towards the German lines and ran instead because there was a bit of rivalry between Protestant and Catholic soldiers as to who could get to the German lines quickest as it was getting near July 12th.

 

Whether this is true or not the soldiers from the North of Ireland made one of the British army's few successful attacks on the disastrous first day of the battle.

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Anyone read a book called "Forgotten Voices of the Great War"?

 

It's a cobbling together of diaries from right through the conflict,of both officers and infantrymen of both sides. Some of the stories of the Somme and especially Ypres are absolutely horrific.

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We were taught at school that when orders went to go over the top many of the Ulster soldiers disobeyed the notorious order to walk across no man's land towards the German lines and ran instead because there was a bit of rivalry between Protestant and Catholic soldiers as to who could get to the German lines quickest as it was getting near July 12th.

Whether this is true or not the soldiers from the North of Ireland made one of the British army's few successful attacks on the disastrous first day of the battle.

The 1st of July was the date of the battle of the Boyne on the old calendar so it was already an important date for the Ulsterman.

I was in the area for the 90th anniversary and it is hard to comprehend just how much carnage went on.

The war to end wars as well, if only they knew.

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Anyone read a book called "Forgotten Voices of the Great War"?

 

It's a cobbling together of diaries from right through the conflict,of both officers and infantrymen of both sides. Some of the stories of the Somme and especially Ypres are absolutely horrific.

 

I had that on tape version.

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July 1st 1916 was utterly tragic but the blokes of The 36th Ulster division - the Ulster Volunteer Force - carried themselves with great distinction.

Some posters may not like it but I want to pay tribute to the chaps from TFS who went beyond duty a century ago. A shite and pointless war but the blokes from Ulster distinguished themselves.

Indeed Kink, I'm in Belfast for the commemoration today! It's going to be a very emotional day!

Not having a go mate but TFS doesn't do these lads justice. All the best Rab.

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Not having a go mate but TFS doesn't do these lads justice. All the best Rab.

Neither does it do justice to all the other men who suffered that day singling out one division.

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What a horrible first post to start this topic.

 

Many, Many regiments, carried themselves with great distinction in what was an incomprehensible slaughter.  Not least many men from Scotland (this beings a Scottish message board it seems appropriate they should be mentioned)

 

To start it with what seems like some bigoted points scoring or even worse some form of trolling is beyond the pale.

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And while we're at it, spare a thought for the 306 men and boys shot for "cowardice" in a situation we can hardly imagine...

Cowardice, or principled bravery? They would have known what would happen, yet refused to join in. Then there's the mental health aspect.

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What a horrible first post to start this topic.

 

Many, Many regiments, carried themselves with great distinction in what was an incomprehensible slaughter.  Not least many men from Scotland (this beings a Scottish message board it seems appropriate they should be mentioned)

 

To start it with what seems like some bigoted points scoring or even worse some form of trolling is beyond the pale.

Aye, but don't let it cheapen the loss that so many experienced back then.

 

If only the royal cousins could have got over their petty squabbles.

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July 1st 1916 was utterly tragic but the blokes -----------------------------------------------------carried themselves with great distinction.

 

 I want to pay tribute to the chaps ------------------------------------ beyond duty a century ago.  A shite and pointless war

 

FTFY

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20,000 of all creeds and nationality fell 100 years ago today , the bloodiest day in british military history

Let's just remember that before this thread descends into something entirely different

Correct.

I suspect the OP was hoping for the latter.

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20,000 of all creeds and nationality fell 100 years ago today , the bloodiest day in british military history

Let's just remember that before this thread descends into something entirely different

 

Descends into something different?  Read that abomination of an OP. :lol:

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