It is 100 years since the bloodiest and most infamous battle of World War One.

A small group gathered early this morning in the grounds of Carlisle Castle - the home of Cumbria's Border Regiment - to fall silent and commemorate the start of The Battle of the Somme.

With dark clouds overhead, at 7.28am Grenadier Guards veteran Alan Branstone, of Brampton, played the Last Post before 14-year-old Caldew School pupil Jesse Eastburn blew a whistle to mark the start of their two-minute silence, an act of remembrance observed across the country 100 years on from "zero hour".

The sound of the whistle is what troops knew was the sign to go over the top and leave their trenches to start the British-French offensive.

The 141-day battle is one of the most shocking chapters in British military history.

Its first day, July 1, brought catastrophic losses. Nearly 20,000 men lost their lives.

Among them were soldiers of the Border Regiment.

Its most shocking losses on July 1 were from its Lonsdale Battalion. Of the 800 men who went into battle, 500 were injured or killed.

Here, Cumbria-based history writer Bill Myers has compiled the county's casualty list from the first day of action.

APPLEBY

Lt-Colonel Percy Wilfred Machell, CMG, DSO. Commanding Officer, 11th (Service) Battalion, Border Regiment (Lonsdale Battalion). Killed in action on July 1, 1916. Buried at Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery.
Son of the late Canon Machell and Hon Emma, sister of 8th Lord Middleton. Joined 56th (Essex Regt.) in 1882. In 1884-5 he served in the Nile Expeditionary Force (medal with clasp and bronze star). Attached to the Egyptian Army in 1886, he was in command at the capture of Fort Khor Moussa (Order of the Osmanieh, 4th class); operations round Suakin and action of Gemaizah, 1888 (clasp, horse shot); Sudan, 1889-91, Toski Expedition, Brigade-Major No. 2 Column; capture of Tokar (clasp and clasp on bronze star, Medjidie, 4th class); helped to raise and commanded 12th Sudanese Battalion, 1891-95; Inspector General Egyptian Coastguard, 1896; adviser to the Ministry of Interior, Egypt, 1898-1906; (Grand Cordon of the Medjidie, 1902), (C.M.G., 1906). Raised, trained and commanded 11th (S) Border Regt. (Lonsdale), 1914-16. M. (1905) Lady Valda Gleichen, D. of Admiral Prince Victor of Hohenlohe Langenbur, R.N., G.C.B. From Crackenthorpe Hall, Crackenthorpe, Appleby.


ARMATHWAITE

L/Cpl Thomas Bell, No. 17367, served with C Company of the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at the Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille. The 22-year- old was the son of William and Sarah Bell, of Froddle Crook, Armathwaite.


ASKAM
Pte William Calvert, No. 13851, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment. He is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. Pte Calvert, aged 32, was the son of Thomas Calvert of 116 Crossley Street, Askam, and was a pre-war steelworker at Workington.


ASPATRIA
Tom Barton, of 25/94 Northumberland Fusiliers, was killed at La Boiselle. He is named on the World War One memorial in Aspatria together with one of his brothers and a nephew.

Sgt Robert Bland, No. 15/1045, served with the 15th (Prince of Wales’s Own) Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 24-year-old was the son of Wilfred and Annie Bland, of 2 Brayton Road, Aspatria.

Pte J. W. Rumney, No. 17437, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille Wood. The 25-year-old was the son of Thomas and Mary Jane Rumney, of Mill House, Blennerhasset and the husband of Esther Rumney, of Fletchertown, Aspatria.

Private William Hodgson Moore, No. 19540, served with the 11th Battalion Border Regiment. The 21-year-old was the son of William Brough Moore and Ann Jane Moore, of 5 West Street, Fletchertown. He is named on the Thiepval Memorial.


BARROW
Second Lt Arthur Furneaux Dalgaims Anderson was attached to the 1st Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers. The 22-year-old had been born in Australia and is buried at Beaumont-Hamel British Cemetery. He was the son of Mr A. W. H and Florence E. Anderson, of 12 Park Avenue, Barrow.

Pte William Lister, No. 12/1659, served with the 14th Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 36-year-old was the son of Mrs Elizabeth Graham, of 14 Lumley Street, Barrow.

Second Lt Charlie Drinnan Roberton served with the 4th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers and is buried at Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps. The 23-year-old was the son of Mrs J. R. Roberton, of 31 Elgin Terrace, Dowanhill, Glasgow and the late Mr C. G. Roberton, OBE, of Barrow.

Second Lt Robert Meres Stainton served with the 10th Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment. The 22-year-old is named on the Thiepval Memorial. He was the only son of Walton and Annie Alice Stainton, of Hill Crest, 37 Mount Pleasant, Barrow.

Company Quartermaster Sgt Jesse Taylor, No. 18734, served with the 12th Company of the Machine Gun Corps. The 29-year-old was a winner of the Military Medal for bravery and is buried in Bertrancourt Military Cemetery. He was born in Barrow and was the husband of Jennie Taylor of 96 Kent Street, Barrow.

Pte Joseph Witherow, No. 19201, served with the 11th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 22-year-old was the son of Margaret Jane Sheffield (formerly Witherow) of 41 Duncan Street, Barrow and William Sheffield (stepfather).

Second Lt John Wilfred Wood served with the 4th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment and is buried at Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers-la-Boisselle. The 25-year-old was the son of Robert and Isabel Wood, of 125 Hindpool Road, Barrow.


BOOTLE
Lance/Cpl Isaac Collis, No. 16437, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment. He is buried in Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille Wood and was the son of William and Annie Collis, of Thornleigh, Bootle.


BOWNESS
Sgt Ernest Marshall, No. 13432, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 33-year-old was the son of James and Priscilla Marshall, of 32 Necropolis Road, Bradford and the husband of Mary marshall, of St Martin’s Square, Bowness.


BRAMPTON
Cpl Thomas George Armstrong, No. 19591, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 20-year-old was the son of James and Elizabeth Jane Armstrong, of Beckside Cottage, Brampton.

Pte Lewis Bell, No. 17396, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at the Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille. The 20-year- old was the son of Lewis and Mary Ann Bell, of Dormansteads Gate, Roweltown, Carlisle. He was a native of Kirkcambeck, Brampton.

Pte James Brough, No. 19593, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at the Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille. The 22-year- old was the son of Mary Hannah Brough, of 10 Park Terrace, Hallbankgate, Brampton and the late Joseph Brough.

Pte Hardy McDougall, No. 19592, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at the Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille. The 20-year-old was the son of William and S. McDougall, of Warren Bank Lodge, Brampton.


BROUGHTON (South Cumbria)
Pte Wilfred Ashcroft, No. 18062, served with the 1st Battalion of the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 41-year-old was the son of James and Mary Agnes Ashcroft and the husband of Maggie Ashcroft, of the Square, Broughton.


CARLISLE
Pte Christopher Blackburn, No. 15360, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at the Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille. The 31-year-old was the son of Joseph and Ann Blackburn, of Silloth and the husband of Margaret Blackburn, of 80 Union Street, Botchergate, Carlisle.

Pte Alfred James Chandler, No. 15321, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 21-year-old was the son of William James and Ellen Hannah Chandler, of 21 Melbourne Road, Carlisle.

Pte Thomas William Hetherington, No. 17328, served with A Company of the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 30-year-old was the son of William B. Hetherington, of Dearham and the late Sarah. He was married to Eleanor, of Ireby, Carlisle.

L/Cpl John Jefferson, No. 22097, served with the 2nd Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz. The 36-year-old was the son of the late Edward Jefferson, of Studholm, Wigton and the husband of Mary H. Jefferson, of 15 Newtown Road, Carlisle.

Pte John George McGow, No. 6778, served with the 16th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 24-year-old was the son of John Bell McGow, of Carlisle.

L/Cpl Richard Nixon, No. 19222, served with the 21st Battalion of the Manchester Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 25-year-old was the son of Richard and Jane Nixon, of Linstock House, Carlisle.


CLEATOR MOOR
Pte H. Heron, No. 27/313, served with the 27th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers and is buried at Bercourt Military Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt. The 39-year-old was the husband of Margaret Jane Heron, of 42 Birks Road, Cleator Moor.


COCKERMOUTH
Pte Jonathan Bigrigg, No. 20202, served with the 1st Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at Hawthorn Ridge Cemetery No. 2 at Auchonvillers. The 34-year-old was the son of John and Mary Ann Bigrigg, of Cockermouth and the husband of Catherine Ann Bigrigg, of 12 Derwent Street, Cockermouth.

Pte Skelton Eland, No. 16680, served with the 2nd (West Riding) Battalion of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment and is buried at Serre Road Cemetery No. 2. The 20-year-old was the son of Mary Jane Eland, of 18 Main Street, Cockermouth and the late John Eland.

Pte Robert Moffat, No. 11351, served with the 1st Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 21-year-old was the son of Mrs Elizabeth Moffat, of the Post Office, Lorton, Cockermouth.

L/Cpl John Needham, No. 9717, served with the 2nd Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 26-year-old was the son of Henry and Pamela M. Needham, of Lorton, Cockermouth.


DALTON
Sgt Albert Metcalfe, No. 19879, served with the 8th Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment is buried at the Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille. His parents lived at Skelgate, Dalton and he worked at the Griffin Hotel, Leeds.


FRIZINGTON
Pte Thomas Robinson, No. 15777, served with the 8th Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 21-year- old was the son of Catherine Robinson, of 52 Mill Street, Frizington and the late Thomas Robinson.


HARRINGTON
L/Cpl Alan Hill, No 16294, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille Wood. The 20-year-old was the son of Samuel and Annie Mary Hill, of 9 Church Road Terrace, Harrington.


KESWICK
Pte William Hogarth, No. 23335, served with A Company of the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at the Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille. He was the son of Tyson Hogarth, of 8 Borrowdale Road, Keswick and the late Isobel.

Pte W. Pratt, No. 14477, served with the 1st Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at Y Ravine Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel. The 26-year-old was the son of William and Fanny Pratt of Lydias Cottages, Brigham, Keswick.


KIRKBY STEPHEN
Pte R. Stephenson, No. 15403, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres. The 22-year-old was the son of J. Stephenson, of Mid Cottages, Kirkby Stephen and the stepson of Mary S. Stephenson.


LONGTOWN
Pte W. McKenzie, No. 15526, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at the Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille. The 24-year-old was the son of Malcolm and Agnes McKenzie, of Moor Cottage, Longtown.


MARYPORT
Pte Tom Kirkbride, No. 19974, served with the 1st Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 36-year-old was the son of Joseph and Mary Jane Kirkbride and the husband of Mary Frances Kirkbride, of 87 Nelson Street, Maryport.

L/Cpl Andrew Livingstone, No. 4/8272, served with the 2nd (Prince of Wales’s Own) Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. He was the son of the late Andrew and Mary Livingstone, husband of Sarah Livingstone, of 35 Nelson Street, Maryport.

Pte Robert Skelton, No. 16439, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 21-year-old was the son of William and Sarah A. Skelton, of the Lathes, Selby Terrace, Maryport.


PENRITH

Second Lt Walter Ker Sanderson served with the 1st Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 35-year-old was the son of E. A. Sanderson, of Fairfield, Penrith and the late Dr Sanderson.

Pte John Whitfield, No. 16341, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 23-year-old was the son of James and Margaret Whitfield, of Townhead, Kikrbythore, Penrith.


ST BEES
Captain Stanley Kenworthy served with the 17th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment and is buried at Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz. The 32-year- old was the son of John Falziel Kenworthy, of Seacroft, St Bees and the husband of Dinah T. Kenworthy.


SEASCALE
Sgt Matthew Hudson Mossop, No. 1027, served with the 15th West Yorkshire (Prince of Wales’s Own) Regiment and was the holder of the Military Medal for bravery. The 26-year-old is buried at Serre Road Cemetery No. 1. He was the son of Isaac Mossop, of Seascale and the late Ann Mossop.


ULVERSTON
Lance/Cpl Frank Porter, No. 18683, served with the 1st Battalion of the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment. He is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 26-year-old was the son of Jane Porter, of 26 Clarence Street, Ulverston.

Pte Harry Atkinson, No. 25923, served with the 8th Battalion of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. He was the son of William and Mary Ellen Atkinson, of Whinfell Terrace, Tebay and the husband of Beatrice Alice Atkinson, of the Rectory, Ulverston.


WHITEHAVEN
Pte Benjamin Alderson, No. 10286, served with the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 22-year-old was the son of Edward and Susannah Alderson, of 5 Lady Pit Cottages, Sunny Hill, Whitehaven.

Pte J. McClusky, No 19441, served with D Company of the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille Wood. The 24-year-old was the son of John and Ellen McCluskey, of Whitehaven.

Pte Stephen McCourt, No. 24/437, served with the 25th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 46-year-old was the son of James and Martha McCourt, of Newhouses, Whitehaven and the husband of Emma Lizzie McCourt, of 34 Lanson Street, Workington.

Pte John Sanderson, No. 22/1524, served with the 22nd (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 40-year-old was the son of John and Mary Sanderson, of 106 Main Street, Parton, Whitehaven.

L/Sgt Joseph Telford, No. 9237, served with the 2nd Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 26-year-old was the son of John and Annas Isobel Telford, of Peter Street, Whitehaven and the husband of Mary Evelyn Telford, of 2 Basket House, Prospect, Whitehaven.

Pte Peter Toner, No. 27/1269, served with the 27th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 21-year-old was the son of James and Margaret Toner, of 2 West Strand, Whitehaven.

Pte John Tubman, No. 4974, served with the 1st Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 22-year-old was the son of William and Isabella Tubman, of 6 Bardy Steps, Whitehaven.

L/Cpl Daniel Beattie Williams, No. 15368, was awarded the Military Medal for bravery and served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment. He is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 27-year-old was the husband of Elaie Williams, of the Child Welfare Centre, Sandhills Lane, Whitehaven. He was the son of Mr J. H. Williams, of 3 Penyhryn, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales.


WIGTON
Pte Thomas Henry Warbrick, No. 15538, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at the Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille. The 19-year-old was the son of Mrs Joseph Hewitson, of Tiffenthwaite Cottage, Wigton.

Lance Corporal William Steele, No. 15530, served with the 11th Battalion, Border Regiment. The 34-year-old was the son of Mrs Annie Clemetson, of Priest Croft, Mealsgate. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.


WINDERMERE
Pte Leonard Close, No. 13462, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at the Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille. The 24-year-old was the son of John and Susannah Close, of 42 Oak Street, Windermere.

Lance/Cpl William Gibson, No. 13454, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 26-year-old was the son of William and Ellen Gibson, of 2 Alexandra Road, Windermere.

Pte John Hayes, No. S/13246, served with the 2nd Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders and is named on Special Memorial C3 in the Gordon Cemetery, Mametz. The 18-year-old was the son of Moses and Alice Mary Hayes. He was born in Windermere.

Pte John Helme Mallinson, No. 13431, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at Aveluy Communal Cemetery Extension. The 23-year-old was the son of Edward and Ann Emma Mallinson, of Oakland Cottage, Windermere.


WORKINGTON
Pte Thomas Richards Anderson, No. 17504, served with D Company of the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at the Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille. The 19-year-old was the son of William John and Elizabeth Ann Anderson of 43 Corporation Road, Workington.

Pte W. Bell, No 16441, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille Wood. The 19-year-old was the son of Elizabeth Dixon, of Little, Clifton, Workington.

Pte John James Brown, No. 19624, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at the Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille. The 34-year-old was the son of Adam and Agnes Brown, of Workington.

Pte George Darwen, No. 27/906, served with the 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 36-year-old was the son of Margaret Ann Darwen, of 13 Belvedere Street, Workington and the late Edmund Darwen.
His brother, Edward, No. 73800, a gunner in the Royal Field Artillery 25th Bty 35th Bde, was killed, aged 22, at the Somme. He is also named on the Thiepval Memorial.

L/Cpl Thompson Grisedale, No. 20397, served with the 1st Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 28-year-old was the son of Agnes Grisedale, of 91 John Street, Workington.

Pte Osborne Morgan Lewis, No. 15264, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension. The 24-year-old was the son of Janet and the late David Lewis, of Derwent, Workington.

Pte James McAdam, No. 13917, served with D Company of the 11th Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 21-year-old was the son of George McAdam, of 49 John Street, Workington.

Pte R. J. R. McKegg, No 16298, served with D Company of the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille Wood. The 26-year-old was the son of W. J and Mrs S. McKegg, of 28 John Street, Workington.

L/Cpl John Towers Mounsey, No. 17492, served in D Company of the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at the Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille. The 22-year-old was the son of Archibald R. and Sarah E. Mounsey, of 17 Carter Garth, Great Clifton, Workington.

L/Sgt Charles William Pugh, No. 16421, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 29-year-old was the son of Selina Pugh, of Moss Bay Road, Workington.

Pte George Rutherford, No. 15496, served with D Company of the 11th Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 21-year-old was the son of Joseph and Jane Rutherford, of Wilson Street, Workington.

Pte S. H. Shuttleworth, No. 16405, served with the 11th Lonsdale Battalion of the Border Regiment and is buried at the Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille. He was the son of Mr W. H. Shuttleworth, of 3 Chapel Street, Workington.

Pte Irving Stanley Smith, No. 16395, served with the 11th Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 30-year-old was the son of James and Elizabeth Smith, of Workington.

Pte William Thompson, No. 16157, served with the 2nd Battalion of the Border Regiment and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing. The 37-year-old was the son of William Thompson, of 39 Bolton Street, Workington and the husband of Edith Dommquey, formerly Thompson, of 10 Swinburn Street, Workington.

Pte Henry Towers, No. 19748, served with 2nd Battalion, the Border Regiment and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He was married to Dinah Jane Bell, from Broughton, who was expecting their second child when he was killed in action.
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