William, I am not aware of the precise circumstances of your death, nor what caused it, but, as a former soldier in the 1st and 7th Battalions of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and the 1st Battalion of the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment myself, doing my National Service in 1950-51 in relative peacetime conditions, although very sad to read about your sacrifice, I am pleased to be given this opportunity to salute you as a brave soldier who lost his life in the service of his country on the Somme.  Sadly, your remains were not recovered from the field of battle, so you were commemorated with others of your comrades in the Sherwood Foresters on the Thiepval Memorial. I can but quote the memorial hymn again, “All you had hoped for, all you had you gave to save mankind – yourself you scorned to save”.   But you are also remembered every year at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, when the parade is at the attention while the Queen’s Colour and the National Standard are dipped in salute as the Last Post is sounded. I also trust that you were commemorated on your home town war memorial. I offer my sympathy to your relatives and friends who mourned your sacrifice.  Rest in Peace.  Harry.

Henry Harrison