Full coverage of the commemorations marking 100 years since the Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme was fought between 1 July and 18 November 1916, with over a million British, French and German casualties
1 July 1916 remains the bloodiest day in British military history with 57,470 casualties, 19,240 of whom were killed
The centenary was marked by a national two minutes' silence at 07:28 on 1 July, the moment soldiers went over the top
Let us know about your commemorations using #Somme100
Geoffrey Malins was a British film director whose work The Battle of the Somme contains some of the most defining images of World War One.
It was the first time British cameramen were allowed to go to the Western Front and Robert Hall will tell Malins's story on the BBC News Channel at 20:30 BST in The Man who Filmed the Somme.
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Image source, PAA total of 628 Victoria Crosses were awarded during World War One. Today, five ceremonies are taking place to remember those who received crosses for their brave actions on 1 July 1916. Specially designed paving stones will be laid near their place of birth, as part of a four-year project to honour recipients.
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More now on the ceremony attended by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at the Beaumont-Hamel memorial to Canadians who fought at the Somme while serving with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment
The Royal Canadian Artillery brass band played the Last Post during the service under the stone monument.
Prince Charles said: "Of all the battles fought by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment during the First World War, none was as devastating or as defining as the first day of the Battle of the Somme."
Image source, Getty ImagesWith the service in Manchester now over, the city is looking forward to the final event of the commemorations - a concert this evening in Heaton Park for about 20,000 guests. During World War One, the park was used as a training camp for soldiers before they were sent to the trenches.
The concert features the Halle Orchestra and will end at sunset when poet Lemn Sissay reads a commissioned piece dedicated to the memories of those who lost their lives during the conflict. The Last Post will be sounded to round off the day.
The parade ahead of the service was led by a 32-piece band from the King's Regiment
As events mark the centenary of the start of the Battle of the Somme, Britons are capturing a commemorative project and sharing it using #wearehere., external
Image source, Mandy CharltonNear the Monument in Newcastle, Mandy Charlton says "with all that is happening right now, this really puts things into perspective."
Retired Major Malcolm Ross tells of his great uncle, Captain Brian Brooke of the 2nd Gordon Highlanders, and the Gordons' capture of Mametz. Actor Brian Cox narrates.
1645 1st July, 1916
History of World War One
Hearts are on a roll, top of the league – but your country needs you
One of the many "Pals Battalions" that saw action on the first day of the Somme was a brotherhood of sportsmen formed from some of the finest footballers in Scotland. Find out how they fared in action – and what happened to the women they left behind – in the interactive documentary: Footballers United, external
History of World War One
On the first day of the battle, 282 men from the Somerset Light Infantry died. Here, BBC Somerset remembers them.
For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon is perhaps the most famous poem to have emerged from World War One. Here it is read by Brian Hewitt, a member of Stoke Gifford Royal British Legion, to remember those in the Battle of the Somme.
"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."
'As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust, to the end, to the end, they remain.'
History of World War One
Image source, IWMSilver cap badge, the Liverpool Pals who volunteered before 6 October 1914 were given this silver badge as a personal gift from Lord Derby.
The division was made up of four Pals battalions from Liverpool and four from Manchester, alongside four battalions of men from the Regular army.
The soldiers were tasked with capturing the town of Montauban and, if all went according to plan, seizing a heavily fortified German position in a ruined French brickyard 2,000 yards from the British trenches.
They went over the top at 07:30. The soldiers advanced but suffered heavy casualties from a single German machine crew firing from Railway Valley.
By 10:00 they had captured the town of Montauban and three field guns. The artillery opened a barrage on the brickworks which the 20th King’s (Liverpool) captured by 12:34.
The British assault was a success. However, there were 6,100 casualties - around 14% of the men deployed.
Pals battalions: Why did friends fight together in WW1?
Image source, AlamyMemorial to the Liverpool and Manchester Pals in Montauban.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe BBC has put together a picture gallery of images from the Battle of the Somme. See the pictures here.
Today, many of you encountered 'World War One soldiers' on your commute, and shared your pictures online.
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BBC Radio Scotland
In the seventh short episode, the BBC's Reevel Alderson tells of his grandfather John James Rough of the Tyneside Scottish. Narrated by Brian Cox.
15:45 1st July, 1916 (Reevel's grandfather is second from right in the back row.)
Image source, CBCCap badge with a caribou, the emblem of the Newfoundland Regiment.
The 1st Newfoundland was made up of around 800 volunteers from the British colony of Newfoundland, (now a part of Canada).
They were part of a series of secondary attacks which took place after the main push.
At 9.15am 752 men went over the top and were hit by relentless German machine gun fire. Most of the soldiers never made it across No Man’s Land.
Forty men, commanded by Captain G.E. Malcolm, tried to attack the German trenches, but could not get any further.
Of the regiment, 91 per cent were casualties: 26 officers and 658 men
Image source, GettyThe Caribou Memorial now stands today near Beaumont Hamel on the Somme as a monument to the Newfoundland battalion.
During the service being held at Manchester Cathedral, letters written home by soldiers preparing to fight in the Battle of the Somme are being read out, along with diaries. The Duke of York, Archbishop of York and Chancellor George Osborne are among those attending.
A service of national commemoration is taking place at Manchester Cathedral, attended by the Duke of York.
Dean of Manchester Rogers Govender said:
Quote MessageAs we gather here in this place of prayer and reconciliation, we stand together, united in our shared commemoration of all those who were caught up in the tragic events of the battle which saw death and suffering on an unprecedented scale - those who were killed in action, or by disease, those who returned and whose lives were changed for ever, the bereaved, the lost, the families of those whose fate was never known, the wounded, maimed and injured and those who held in silence unspeakable memories of warfare.
Discover the excitement, determination and commitment of those who signed up to the Pals batallions in World War One.
Join up with the BBC's interactive guide, external to the Battle of the Somme.
A memorial service held in Plymouth for the fallen soldiers of the Battle of the Somme was "important for children" according to a commanding officer.
Guns were fired, standard bearers and soldiers were present, and poems were read by school children.
Lt Col Jon Cresswell, commanding officer, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, said: "For young people it was very important, it made them the centre of the celebrations. It was the children that laid the wreaths, it was the children that read the poems."
