Battle of the Somme centenary commemorated in Burnham

More than 100 guests and performers marked the centenary of the Battle of the Somme at an event in Burnham.

The event, which was held on Saturday at Burnham Park Hall, in Windsor Lane, featured poetry readings by pupils from Burnham Grammar School and musical performances by Pop Goes the Choir, the Burnham Academy School Band and Dropmore Infant School.

Guest of honour was former Attorney General and Beaconsfield MP Dominic Grieve, who spoke about the history of the battle and the wider conflict, as well as talking about his family’s experiences in the war and his participation in other memorials.

Bob Slater, one of the event’s organisers who also served with the RAF in Malaya, said: “I think it’s terribly important that the youngsters of today realise and appreciate the futility of war.

“On July 1, 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 19,240 people died on just one day and 57,470 were injured.

“I hope people can realise that war doesn’t achieve anything, but that talking and solving differences in a decent and amicable way is the best way forward.”