ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME

That this House notes that 1st July marks the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme; recognises that there were 58,000 British casualties on the first day with a subsequent 420,000 British, 200,000 French and 500,000 German casualties; pays respect to all those who served and lost their life during this bloodiest of battles and remembers that many of those who lost their lives had joined the Pals regiments where whole communities were destroyed within minutes as a consequence of this battle; remembers all those who lost their life in the First World War; and pays tribute to the veterans who will be visiting the battle fields to mark the 90th anniversary in addition to services of remembrance across the UK.