100th anniversary of the first day of the Somme. The dead of the Devonshire Regiment were returned to the trench from which they launched their assault and buried in that trench.

On a wooden cross there - and now carved in stone - these words were written: "The Devonshires held this trench. The Devonshires hold it still."

That last sentence brought a lump to my throat....

Poignant awe. In their honor, and for so many others before and since, humanity must strive to end war, and the causes of it.

My grandfather was there, I am transcribing his diaries. On this day 100 years ago he was en route to the front lines.



Lest we forget