A TWO-MINUTE silence will be observed at Oxford Town Hall at a Service of Remembrance for soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Somme in the First World War.

Tomorrow marks the centenary of the first day of the battle, when about 60,000 troops who went over the top of the trenches were either killed or injured.

The service, on the landing of the town hall, will mark the involvement in the battle of soldiers from the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry regiment.

The Oxford branch of the Royal Green Jackets Association will host the service with the city council.

Terry Roper, chairman of the Oxford branch of the association, said: "It is important the people of Oxford, especially the young, understand the sacrifices the men of the county regiment made to ensure the freedoms we have today.

"The bravery, the terrible conditions and the horrendous casualties on both side in this battle will be remembered.

"It's almost beyond comprehension that so many brave men died on the first day of the battle, one of the bloodiest in the British Army's history."

The service will begin at 10.45am and there will be a two-minute silence to honour soldiers who died or were injured.

Lord Mayor of Oxford Mohammed Altaf-Khan will be joined by The Reverend Canon Brian Mountford MBE, veterans and others paying tribute.

Mr Altaf-Khan said: "Oxford City Council is proud to welcome this service and stand with the Royal Green Jackets to honour those who fought in this devastating battle."

Brigadier Robin Draper, president of the Oxford branch of the Royal Green Jackets Association, will address the service, followed by a prayer and a hymn, during which a wreath will be laid.

In Faringdon there will be a service of remembrance from 11am at Faringdon War Memorial led by Rev Max Young, on behalf of Faringdon and District Royal British Legion branch.

In Banbury the town's branch of the RBL and St Mary’s Church Banbury will mark the start of the battle with a dawn vigil and service in the memorial chapel of the church.

The silent vigil will start at 7am followed by a service at 7.30am.

Kieron Mallon, President of Banbury Royal British Legion, said: "Banbury will honour and commemorate the sacrifice of those who fell at the Somme.

"We are inviting residents to join us. We will sit in silence at the same time those young soldiers were waiting to go over the top."

In Deddington near Banbury, at the war memorial, there will be a service and two-minute silence at 7.30am.

Do you have any pictures, artefacts or stories passed on from relatives who fought at the Battle of the Somme? 

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