Somme appeal to help create database of the fallen

People all over the UK are being asked to get involved in an unique and historic art project to commemorate those who fell on the first day of the Battle of the Somme through a photographic and detailed legacy of all 19,240 Allied servicemen who lost their lives.

On 1st July 2016, at 0730 hours, exactly 100 years since the whistle was blown to ‘go over the top', 19,240 Shrouds of the Somme will be revealed laid out in Exeter's Northernhay Gardens.

"We believe that in this age of digital technology we have a chance like never before of building up a photographic and detailed record of each of the servicemen who gave their lives on that tragic day," says artist Rob Heard who came up with the project.

"We want schools, communities, families and individuals to get involved in this unique legacy - let us know if you have photos, stories or memories of one of the 19,240, a relative or members of your community and send them in to us."

We can use these to remember them as individuals rather than just names in many thousands of names and help future generations understand the real human cost of war."

Schools are also being encouraged to engage their students in WW1 research around local people who lost their lives that day and the impact the War had on their communities. Their work will form a part of an exhibition to coincide with the 19240 Shrouds of the Somme and a schools open day on 5 July.

Members of the public will be able to own their own piece of the 19240 Shrouds of the Somme. The 19,240 shrouded figures can be pre-ordered framed or unframed, named or anonymous, from the 16th April with number 00001 being auctioned by Flog It! star Paul Martin at the Centenary Dinner at Sandy Park, Exeter.

Further information can be found at http://www.thesomme19240.co.uk or email info@thesomme19240.co.uk