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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 morning
We will remember them.
THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME 1st July to 18th November 1916
The battle of the Somme was one of the worst battles of WW1 and at least 4 local men were killed in this battle.
The British, French and German armies fought along a 15 mile front for 5 months. The aim was to relieve the French Army fighting at Verdun and to weaken the German Army. But the Allies were unable to break through German lines and over million men were killed or wounded on all sides.
The first day of the battle, July 1st, was the bloodiest day in British war history when 19,240 men were killed!

Find out much more about this horrendous part of our history, Click here to view the Imperial War Museum history pages.

Private Walter Rogers
Private Alfred Lewis Walters
As you can see from the inscription on the Great Chishill war memorial, 13 men from Chishill died serving in the First World War. Above are pictures of 2 of those who died on the Somme. (Pictures from 'Herts and Cambs Reporter')

Walter Rogers was killed in action on September 26th, 1916. He had emigrated to Australia 4 years previously and before that he had worked for Mr Hoy

Alfred Lewis Walters was killed in action in the Battle of the Somme on September 29th, 1916. Prior to enlisting he had been an agricultural worker, employed by the Brand family at Upper and Lower Farm, Building End. aged 25.

No photographs of the others listed on the memorial available, but some information is available on the following...

Arthur William Harvey Killed in action on the Somme 11th July 1916. The Bedfordshire Regiment.

Frank Thomas Rogers died on Sunday, 20th August 1916, aged 20, Suffolk Regiment. Buried in Great Chishill