Battle of the Somme: First day's dead marked with 19,240 figurines - BBC News

Figurines representing each of the 19,240 Allied soldiers who died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme have been laid out.
The figurines, each clad in a hand-made calico shroud, mark the anniversary of the start of the battle 100 years ago.
They were placed on the grass next to the World War One memorial in Exeter, by artist Rob Heard.

[WozzasWatches]

the bravest of all mankind....these men are second to none...will be remembered always

[rosscityofliverpool.]

It's a very powerful and moving piece of art, It just shows loss. very sad.

[aliciam]

An amazing tribute. Very touching....

[semilyslimes]

I have (possibly) a family member who fought in this war. I hope he may rip
rip ❤
I hope you are in a better place xxxx

it kills me to think about how many Poole died
may every single one of them rest in peace
❤❤❤❤

[GooneyAnimations]

Really puts the thing into perspective

[abwihamwinkin]

So many young lads... May we remember them always. Every July 1st I buy a poppy flower and stick it in the breast pocket of my jacket. When people ask, I tell them what happened.

[AHMADEDWIN]

When war on Verdun went to bloodiest battle for France,
the British launched 'the Battle of the Somme' against Germany
as ally to France.

But... on this new battle... the British was quickly suffered too...
before reached her winning few months ahead.

Thank you for sharing this historical battle BBc.

[paddyk]

You can really see the scale of the horror of this battle with this

[burtonlee]

Not ‘persons’ but men, males only in thousands who died here. We would never send women to such a slaughter

[helenjones]

Powerful brings it home how many men were slaughtered

[BHuang]

I hate reading all the bullshit comments that say they died for this and that.

[sprmic]

Absolutely devastating loss of life. Those men made the ultimate sacrifice. Pretty crazy that guy hand stitched 20, 000 of those all with different shapes. Bro is a stitch legend

[seanmoran]

Damn the stupidity of those that got us into that terrible war.
And for what !

[santodomingo]

The number should have been 21, 392 rather than 19, 240 as the artist omitted to include the missing 2, 152 men whose fate was unknown. Their names are recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing, one of my great-uncles among them. The only Commonwealth battalion in action on the first day was the ill-fated 1st Newfoundland. Eight battalions had already been bloodily repulsed at Beaumont Hamel and the trenches were congested with dead and wounded. Consequently the 1st Newfoundland attacked without artillery support from a trench 300 yards before the front line. Very few men made it past the British wire and the battalion suffered 684 casualties from the 752 who attacked. Absolutely pointless. No friendly unit was helped by their attack and German casualties were zero.

[theturdreich]

everything is about brexit for god sake just remember brave me who died for there country

[WORLDNSHKNIGHT]

We lost 456 lads over 13 years in Afghanistan

780 + over 30 years in Ulster

This was 19, 240 IN ONE DAY. Let that sink in.

[arthurmiskelly]

Remember William Webster Rifleman 13827, 11th Batt R. I. R. Thiepval Wood. 19 years old. Too young to vote, old enough too die. Thank you.

[JB-pvgu]

What you talking about why do you hate those kind of comments

[oldgitsknowstuff]

'In Flanders field the Poppy's grow, between the crosses Row on Row'.
And for all those who want to sneer....wear you Poppy with pride, it represents ALL British & Commonwealth troops, including Indians, Africans, Jewish soldiers, & Conscripts from all religions. Even Muslims....
It extends to our former enemies and other countries who sent troops to fight in WW1 & every conflict since.
July 1st, 1916, 20, 000 killed on the first day, 56, 000 in total, injured & missing.
That was just the British casualties.

[propriusly]

The US lost just under 3000 in 20 years in Afghanistan. Puts things in perspective a bit.