Service to remember first heroes who died in Battle of the Somme

A poignant service will be held in memory of some of first heroes who died in the Battle of the Somme.

The service is being organised to remember the Bradford Pals - 2,000 young men from the city who left their trenches to fight during the battle’s first hour of conflict in 1916.

The city’s Lord Mayor Joanne Dodds, of East Bierely, said it was important to never forget the sacrifices the men made.

She said: “It is really important for us to honour the memory of the Bradford Pals and never forget the sacrifices that these heroes from our city made, 99 years ago.”

The event will take place at 11am on Wednesday, at the Bradford Pals’ Memorial in the Memorial Garden behind the Bradford Cenotaph.

A service will be led by the Dean of Bradford, the Rev Jerry Lepine, with contributions from schoolchildren and members of the Bradford World War One Group.

Members of The Great War Society will also attend in World War One uniforms.

Bugler Brian Anderson from the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s band will play The Last Post to mark the start of a one minute’s silence.

After the silence there will be a wreath-laying ceremony.

Deputy Lieutenant David Pearson will be the first to lay a wreath, followed by the Lord Mayor, who will lay a wreath on behalf of the district.

Members of the Bradford World War One Group will lay the final wreath.

The Honour the Pals appeal will be raising money on the day to pay for a memorial in France which it hopes will be unveiled on 1 July 2016, the centenary of the beginning of the battle.