Events to mark centenary of the Battle of the Somme

The Somme was one of the deadliest battles of the First World War and many local soldiers from the York and Lancaster Regiment lost their lives during the campaign. 

To commemorate this, a programme of talks, exhibitions, guided tours, archives sessions and film showings has been put together by staff at Clifton Park Museum and Rotherham Archives.  

Among the events is an illustrated talk about the life of Captain Vivian Sumner Simpson – a Sheffield footballer who was one of the first to join up to the new 12th Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment in 1914. 

He fought at the Somme and was later awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. 

The talk costs £2 and takes place on July 10, 3pm to 4pm.

There are also guided tours of the York and Lancaster Regimental galleries on July 5 at 1.30pm and July 10 at 1.45pm (£4 per person) and free screenings of the iconic Battle of the Somme documentary film on July 25 and 27, 1pm to 2.30pm.

If historical records interest you, there are also two hands-on archives sessions. Discovering official records of the Somme on July 5, 10.30am to 12.30pm, will look at original Battalion orders, maps and war diaries. 

Exploring personal records of the Somme on July 19, 10.30am to 12.30pm, will examine original letters, personal diaries and photographs.

Places on all these events are limited contact the museum for more information and to book your place.

The museum will also host two free exhibitions from June 29. 

The York and Lancaster Regimental galleries will host an exhibition about Captain Simpson MC and the Somme. 

There will also be an exhibition of Somme-related material on display in the archives and local studies search room.

The final event in the programme is March Back in Time - Training for the Somme. 

This is a free outdoor event set in the park and museum on July 31 from 11am to 4pm. 

There will be traditional sports, mock training activities, children’s crafts, table top battle games, music from the Band of the King’s Division, displays and a range of stalls.

Cllr Taiba Yasseen, cabinet member for meighbourhood working and cultural services said: “The Somme was a devastating battle, but one that proved crucial in the outcome of the First World War.

“The York and Lancaster Regiment was heavily involved in the battle, and these centenary events let us all remember and reflect on the price they paid to protect our freedoms. The museum has a wealth of knowledge and materials about this part of history.”

For more information visit cliftonpark.org.uk/museum/ or call 01709 336633.