RELATIVES of Herefordshire soldiers who died in the First World War are being offered an opportunity to visit their graves.

Thousands of county men were killed or wounded during the Battle of the Somme, a name that has become a byword for the suffering of a generation.

On its first day – July 1, 1916 – more than 20,000 British soldiers lost their lives. It went down in history as the blackest day of the British Army.

Birmingham War Research Society organiser Alex Bulloch MBE said: “Many men from Herefordshire were heavily involved in the fighting on the Somme.

“Our organisation takes relatives to the cemeteries where their loved ones are buried.”

The trip, departing from Birmingham, will run from July 11 to 15. For details, Mr Bulloch on 0121 4599008 or Brian Long on 01629 650780.