THE sacrifice made by towns across the area during the Battle of the Somme 100 years ago was remembered last Friday.

They included ceremonies at the war memorials in Lydney and Chepstow and a garden party organised by the Royal British Legion in Cinderford.

Children from Severnbanks and Lydney Church of England primary schools placed crosses on the memorial at Lydney and read the names of the 13 men from the town who died in the battle which took place over 141 days from July 1, 1916.

Chairman of the Lydney branch of the Royal British Legion said: “The average age of the 13 men was 24.

“It says at he bottom of the monument: ’Let them that come after see to it that their names are not forgotten.’ That is what we are doing today, we are remembering these men.”

Wreaths were also placed by members of the British Legion and the Gloucestershire Regiment Association.

Treasurer of the British Legion’s Lydney branch, Allan Edwards, gave three blasts on a First World War whistle to recreate the sound that sent British troops into battle on July 1.

•See this week’s Review for more photographs.