ON THE centenary anniversary of arguably the bloodiest battle in history, a Chard resident is set to publish his life-long work to document the battle from the point of view of men from the town who served in the war.

Five of John White’s ancestors fought in the war, although only three returned home.

Combined with research and the accounts of friends Granfy White and Old Bob, Mr White retells the story of the battle of the Somme, which has gone down in infamy due to the numbers killed of people who died gave their lives for their country.

Mr White said: “All this happened before I was born, yet I have a very strong affinity to this period of our history. Perhaps it is because five of my ancestors fought out there, only three came home; maybe it is their restless spirits that connect with me.

“I certainly wasn’t there, but I am proud, indeed privileged, to have known men who were. To have rubbed shoulders with these warriors from a previous century was truly a humbling experience and I learnt more about this terrible conflict on that July morning than was perhaps good for me.

“What they went through, no man should experience in a thousand lifetimes, but their stories must be told, if only to remind mankind of the folly of war.”

A retelling in the book reads: “On the afternoon of June 22, Bob’s battalion, the 1st Somerset’s, reached Mailly Mallet. Two days later their peaceful respite was shattered as the preliminary bombardment along the Somme positions began.

“Thousands of shells burst upon the enemy trenches like lethal rain, brutally pruning trees, shrubs, and men alike, culminating in a frenzied finale, throwing clouds of dust, bricks and timber high into the summer sky, momentarily eclipsing the sun.

“On the night of June 30, orders to move up were received. Trench ladders were put in place, and the wire deftly removed from the front of their own positions to facilitate a speedy exit, when the order to go over the top was given.”

“On the next day at 7.20am, the most devastating explosion, which would be the largest set off in the war, occurred under Hawthorn Redoubt. Such were the percussion waves that he nearly missed the order to go over the top at 7.30am. Hundreds of shells in support were dropping just ahead of them.

Heavy machine gun fire continued to rake the Somerset’s position and the ridge above which they should have crossed. The survivors were forced to ease off to the left and found themselves in the German trenches, close to the Quadrilateral stronghold.

Despite significantly reduced numbers, the Somersets held their ground under the command of RSM Paul and CSM Chappell until 4.30pm when Major Majendie arrived with replacement officers, to take over what was left of the 1st Battalion.

History records that during the first 24 hours of this battle the British Army’s total casualties amounted to 57,470, of which 19,240 were killed in action.

When the battle ended in November 1916, total casualties were estimated at 420,000.

During the Great War of 1914 to 1918, 4,756 officers and men from Somerset laid down their lives – the equivalent of nearly five Battalions.

Bob and countless others would never forget the bloodshed of the Somme and the part that it played as a stage for the setting of perhaps the world’s greatest human tragedy.