The First Day of the Somme

In partnership with Findmypast, Dan narrates the extraordinary story of the bloodiest day of the First World War. The first day of the Somme saw units wiped out as men charged from their trenches directly into German fire. The losses were devastating, exacerbated by the tragic reality that units were often composed of groups of friends, co-workers, and teammates from the same communities who had been encouraged to sign up together in ‘Pals’ battalions.

Genealogist and specialist researcher for Findmypast, Jen Baldwin, joins Dan to explore how and why the first day of the Somme went so disastrously wrong through the rich and detailed records left by the men in the Pals Battalions. Using newspapers, census records, and letters available on findmypast.co.uk, she has pieced together never-before-heard stories of what happened that day and how the men and their families experienced it.

You too can search the incredible records in the Findmypast archive to piece together your own family’s forgotten heroes. To mark Remembrance Day, ​millions of military records are completely free to access and explore from 7th -13th November. Visit findmypast.co.uk/remembrance to start delving into your family’s war stories.

Produced by Mariana Des Forges, Jen Baldwin, and edited by Dougal Patmore.

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