Overnight candlelit vigil to commemorate the Battle of the Somme

A national service of commemoration was held at Llandaff Cathedral to mark the centenary of the start of the Battle of the Somme, followed by an overnight candlelight vigil and a service of remembrance at the Welsh National War Memorial in Cathays Park, Cardiff, on 1 July 2016.

More than 150 people attended the commemoration service and the start of the overnight vigil on 30 June, with many staying throughout the night. Prayers and readings were given during the night by various leaders and dignitaries as well as by pupils from Tonypandy Community College. A First World War trench lantern was lit and guarded by service personnel. Members of the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and the Royal British Legion all took part in the vigil, which was led by the then First Minister Rt Hon Carwyn Jones MS. In the morning, a service of remembrance took place at 7am, followed by a two minute silence at 7.28am, to mark the moments prior to 7.30am when the first wave of men went over the top and into one of the bloodiest battles in British history.

Right: A National Service of Commemoration to mark the centenary start of the Battle of the Somme took place at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff. © Wales News Service