Battle of the Somme commemorated in Marlow

One of the bloodiest battles of the 20th century has been commemorated in Marlow.

More than a million men were killed or wounded in the Battle of the Somme during the First World War and its centenary has seen events across Europe to mark the conflict.

On Friday about 60 people were at All Saints Church Hall, in Marlow High Street, for a special screening of the film the Battle of the Somme, which was made in 1916 using footage from the trenches.

Afterwards, a vigil and wreath-laying was held at the town’s war memorial.

Organiser Mike Hyde said: “At the time, it was supposed to be an upbeat film to encourage people to support the war effort by showing their friends and family going into battle smiling and that if they got wounded they were being looked after properly.”

He added: “I think the support we’ve had has been tremendous.”