Commemoration of the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme

Barnsley War Memorial

Friday, 1 July 2016 1pm

Commemoration Programme

All gather at the War Memorial with incidental music

Procession from the Town Hall led by the Mayor Elect, Councillor Jeff Ennis.

Goff Griffiths from British Legion introduces the event.

Kinga Ozga reads the poem ‘Taking A Stand’ by John Bailey

I ask you to stand with meFor both the injured and the lostI ask you to keep count with meOf all the wars and what they costI ask you to be silent with meQuietly grateful for our lotAs I expect you're as thankful as meFor the health and life we’ve gotI ask that you wish them well with meAll those still risking their allAnd I ask that you remember with me The names of those that fallI expect that you are proud like meOf this great nation of ours tooSo enjoying all its freedoms like meSupport those upholding them for youI hope that you are hopeful like meThat we'll soon bring an end to warsSo you'll have to stand no more with meAnd mourning families no different from yours'Til then be thankful you can stand with meThinking of those who now cannotFor standing here today with meAs least we show they’re not forgot.

Goff Griffiths introduces the artwork.

We are delighted to unveil a commemorative artwork commissioned by Barnsley Council. With funding from Arts Council England, artists Musson and Retallick were appointed to produce this unique installation which will remain here in our Town Hall gardens until Remembrance Sunday in November – a period which echoes the duration of the battle itself.

Entitled ‘Light Lines’, the work presents all the men who fell on this first day of the battle, 100 years ago. Where possible, original photographs of the men have been included, and we thank all of those who helped research the names and find images of the men.

This includes the dedication of local volunteers, the painstaking work of Barnsley Museum Archives and the generosity of those who provided images of family members.

The work also connects past and present – these men with young people from Barnsley today. Funding from our local Ward Alliances and Historic England has enabled local schools to be part of this project.

Holly Graham will now tell us how local schools have been involved.

Part of the artwork you see today has been created by 300 school pupils to remember the men from Barnsley who fell during the battle.

The 12 school classes from Silkstone, Penistone St Johns, Summer Lane, Birdwell, Cherry Dale, Gawber, Cawthorne, Kings Oak, Oxpring and Darfield All Saints primary have all worked with the museum’s learning team to find out more about the First World War and the Battle of the Somme, and the impact the war had on our town.

Children from participating schools take up positions behind the artwork.

The schools spent a day at Experience Barnsley museum. They had the opportunity to handle real artefacts from the war and to explore the stories of local soldiers, to gain a better understanding and insight into their lives.

They also took part in an arts workshop to design and model individual medals. In collaboration with artists Neil Musson and Jono Retallick, their medals have been cast in resin and installed on each panel of the art work.

The pupils were asked to think about what is special to them, what would they want to take with them if they were going to war, to remind them of home and of loved ones. This could be an object or a memory, but something very personal to them. Every medal is unique, reflecting the pupil’s own thoughts and ideas.

Thank you to every pupil who has been involved in creating this special and fitting tribute to mark the centenary of the start of the battle.

Goff Griffiths continues;

Finally, the artwork is to be illuminated, with the rays of light acting as a symbol of hope for the future. Let us switch on the lights and declare the artwork open.

We shall now observe one minute’s silence which will begin on the blowing of a whistle – the signal used at the battle.

Goff Griffiths reads The Exhortation'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun, and in the morningWe will remember them.All to say: We Will Remember Them

Last Post is sounded.

Goff Griffiths to blow whistle to signal start of the minute’s silence.

Minute silence is held.

The conclusion of the silence is marked by Reveille.

Goff Griffiths reads the dedication‘When you go home, tell them of us and sayFor your tomorrow, we gave our today.’

Incidental music plays while children return to their places.

Goff Griffiths introduces Danielle Hanlon from Barnsley Youth Council to read a letter written by a young Barnsley soldier from the Somme

Second Lieutenant Frank Potter had been transferred from the 14th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment and placed in command of the Brigade trench mortar battery.

France 27/6/1916

My dearest Mother & Father,

This is the most difficult letter I have ever sat down to write. We are going into an attack tomorrow and I shall leave this to be posted if I don't come back. It is a far bigger thing than I have ever been in before and my only hope is that we shall help in a victory that will bring the war nearer to a successful conclusion.

I am hoping to have the nerve to keep my end up and to do my share - that is all that worries me at present. Of death I haven't any fear. I have no premonition of anything happening to me, I have every faith that I shall come out safely, but the chances are against one in a big attack and it is as well to be prepared.

The worst of war is that one's people at home have to bear all the sacrifice and suffering. For my part I am content and happy to give my services and life to my country, but it is not my sacrifice, Mother and Dad, it is yours. The one great thing of this war is that it has taught us to appreciate our homes, and to realise our duty to you more, and also the enormity of your sacrifice in giving your son to our country.

At a time like this I couldn't be anywhere else but here. We have all been brought up at home, in school, and church, to a creed which places our duty to our country next to our religion, and I should not have been a true son had I stayed at home instead of coming out here. And so Mother, I don't want you to grieve over me, we have done our duty. I hope Eddie

and Dick never have to face the horrors of war and that they will realise that we are fighting now so that they will never have to do, and that they will grow up to be better sons than perhaps I have been.

We have been so long in peace in England that this war has come as a big shock to us all, but I am content and happy Mother that I have done my duty. I have made a will which as a soldier’s will I think is legal and will perhaps save some trouble. I only want you to let Ruth have any of my belongings she may want, and I know that you will do anything in the world you can for her.

My fondest love to all at home

Your loving Son

Frank xxxxxxx

Shortly after the attack began, Frank was killed and his last letter was sent to his parents. Frank was 23 years old.

Goff Griffiths introduces Callum and Hannah to lead us in a medley of some well-known World War One songs and invites the audience to join in.

Songs From The War

Pack up your TroublesPack up your troubles in your old kit-bag, And smile, smile, smile,While you've a lucifer to light your fag,Smile, boys, that's the style.What's the use of worrying?It never was worthwhile, soPack up your troubles in your old kit-bag,And smile, smile, smile.

Mademoiselle from Armentieres (tune only)

Hello, hello who’s your lady friend? (tune only)

Keep the Home Fires BurningKeep the Home Fires Burning,While your hearts are yearning,Though your lads are far awayThey dream of home.There's a silver liningThrough the dark clouds shining,Turn the dark cloud inside out'til the boys come home.Keep the Home Fires Burning,While your hearts are yearning,Though your lads are far awayThey dream of home.

It’s a Long Way to TipperaryIt's a long way to Tipperary,It's a long way to go.It's a long way to TipperaryTo the sweetest girl I know!Goodbye Piccadilly,Farewell Leicester Square!It's a long long way to Tipperary,But my heart's right there.

Goff Griffiths closes the event.

Closing incidental music.

The Primary Schools that took part in the project. Silkstone, Penistone St Johns, Summer Lane, Birdwell, Cherry Dale, Gawber, Cawthorne, Kings Oak, Oxpring and Darfield All Saints

The readers. Danielle Hanlon from Barnsley Youth Council, and two of the winners at the Barnsley Co-operative Youth Music and Drama Festival 2016 - Holly Graham from Brierley CE Primary School (Winner of the George Murray Trophy)  and Kinga Orza from Silkstone Common J & I School (Winner of the Winifred Gledhill Memorial Trophy). Thanks also to Marione Brown.

The singers and musicians.Callum Convery and Hannah Coles , and Helen Ingham at Real Music Centre. Barnsley Metropolitan Band and Alex Francis. Barnsley Metropolitan Band played ‘Songs from The Great War’ arranged by Bruce Fraser.

The artists. Neil Musson and Jono Retallick.

Key staff. Nicola Grierson and the team at the Town Hall, Jo Birch and the gardening team, Louise Wright, the Barnsley Museums Learning Team and Michael Hardy and the Archives team.

Supporters of the project. All those who have provided images and helped with research - volunteers, local family members and Barnsley Arts, Museums and Archives staff. Cllr Hayward, British Legion and Goff Griffiths.

The funders. Barnsley Ward Alliances, Historic England and Arts Council England

The schools artwork can be found online by scanning the code or at the following link bit.ly/28OasWi Follow the links to each school and discover the thinking behind their designs.

Barnsley Council wish to thank the following;