A NUMBER of Farnham men were among those remembered in poignant scenes at railway stations across London last Friday to commemorate the first day of the Battle of the Somme 100 years earlier.

According to official war graves records, six soldiers from Farnham ranging in age from just 17 to 37 were among the thousands killed on the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army on July 1, 1916, and each was remembered during the #WeAreHere tribute.

Commuters in the capital were joined on platforms by ‘walking ghosts’ dressed in First World War uniforms, silently handing out cards bearing the names of the dead. These included:

• William John Bicknell, 17, son of Frederick and Margaret Bicknell, of Bourne Fruit Gardens, Lower Bourne, Farnham.

• Alan Hodgkinson, 23, son of Alexander Hodgkinson, MB, of Bradshaigh, Farnham.

• Herbert Adley Sheppard, 25, son of Herbert Edward and Susan Sheppard, of 1 Bath Villa, Weydon Hill Road, Farnham,

• Charles Jesse Cranham, 27, son of Walter and Sarah Cranham, of Church Lane, Wrecclesham, Farnham. Joined September 1914.

• George Novell, 31, son of Mr and Mrs George Novell, of Abbots Pond, Tilford, Farnham.

• Samuel James Arnold, 37, son of Samuel and Emma Arnold, of 100 West St, Farnham. 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment.

At least 160 men from across Surrey are believed to have died on the opening morning of the Somme, in which around 60,000 British soldiers were killed, wounded or listed as missing.

Surrey Sports Park in Guildford also held a special commemoration of the 100-year anniversary of the Battle of the Somme last Friday.

The Over the Top event featured a day of football to commemorate the moment on the first day of the battle when soldiers from the 8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment kicked footballs from the trenches to encourage troops to advance.

One of the original footballs was on display at the event, which raised money for the Army Benevolent Fund and the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.