THE FLEET AIR ARM COMMEMORATES THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME 100 YEARS

TODAY a commemorative service was held to mark the commencement of the Battle of the Somme at the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) Memorial Church in Yeovilton Somerset.

Led by Rev Andrew Hillier Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) from Yeoviltons Chaplaincy Team the poignant service was attended by the Commanding Officer of RNAS Yeovilton and Defence Attaches from around the Globe.

Reverend Peter Dixon the Padre for 1 Army Air Corps (AAC) stationed here at RNAS Yeovilton stood side by side with Rev Hillier in this sombre Act of Remembrance to Mark the Somme’s 100 years , 1 July 1916-2016.

The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, was one of the largest battles of the First World War. Fought between July 1 and November 1, 1916 near the Somme River in France, it was also one of the bloodiest military battles in history. On the first day alone, the British suffered more than 57,000 casualties, and by the end of the campaign the Allies and Central Powers would lose more than 1.5 million men.