Prince William, Kate Middleton attend centenary of the Battle of the Somme

Soldiers, politicians, royalty and ordinary citizens stood in silence, heads bowed, on Friday in ceremonies across Britain and France to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest battles in history.

Devastatingclash

The devastatingclash during the First World War began on July 1, 1916, along a 24-kilometrefront near the River Somme in northern France, where British and French forces hoped to win a decisive victory against Germany. Around 20,000 British soldiers died on the first day alone to capture just a few square kilometres of territory.

Hundreds of Newfoundland soldiers were alsoslaughtered on the French battlefield in the opening day of theBattle of the Somme.

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By the end of the battle in November, more than one million menhad perished and the Allies had advanced just 11 kilometres. The War Museum says the battle resulted in 24,029 Canadian casualties.

Royals attend tribute

At the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing in France, members of the Royal Family joined British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande for a special service of remembrance.

At a ceremony on Thursday, Prince William had paid tribute during a vigil at Thiepval to those who lost their lives during the battle.

Beaumont-Hamel remembered in N.L.

In Britain, the anniversary was marked with a gun salute in London as well as services elsewhere, including in Cardiff and Edinburgh. A two-minute silence was also held across the country.

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Silent actors dressed as Britishtroops appeared in public squares, standing expressionless and representing soldiers killed in the Battle of the Somme. At London's Waterloo train station, the actors handed out cards bearing the name, age, rank and military unit of the slain soldier they represented.

In Newfoundland and Labrador,the 100th anniversary of Beaumont-Hamel was commemorated.The First World War battlesaw hundreds of Newfoundland soldiers slaughtered on the French battlefield in the opening day of theBattle of the Somme.

On the morning of July 1, 1916, thousands of young men were ruthlessly mowed down while attempting to drive back German soldiers on the Western Front.

More than 800 regiment soldiers clambered out of the trenches and ran toward enemy lines.

Regrettably, just 68 were able to answerrollcall the followingday.

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