Service to commemorate Bradford Pals' WWI sacrifice

A special service is to be held to commemorate the sacrifice made by members of the West Yorkshire Regiment during World War One.

Bev Mullaney, the Lord Mayor of Bradford, will host the event at 11:00 at the memorial to the Bradford Pals in Memorial Gardens.

Members of the Bradford World War I Group will lay a tribute, followed by members of the Royal British Legion and other guests.

Ms Mullaney said that anyone can attend the event, which coincides with the 108th anniversary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

"The sacrifices of those young men from Bradford who came together to form the Bradford Pals and who gave so much during the First World War and particularly the Battle of the Somme should never be forgotten," she said.

"We should also remember the grief and suffering of those families whose loved ones never returned home.

"We hope that people will join us at this important commemoration."

On 1 July 1916 - the first day of the Battle of the Somme - the British Army suffered 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 fatalities. They gained just three sq miles (7.8 sq km) of territory.

Of the 1,400 Bradford Pals who took part, an estimated 917 were injured, of which over 230 died.

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