Institut Géographique National – 2048 Ouest, 2408 Est, 2407 ouest, 2407 Est. Two of these date back to the 80s (donated by a friend who had updated!) but the roads have not changed in the areas of importance. You need all four to cover The Somme properly and some people I know have cut them up and stuck the four relevant areas back together to make one. I haven’t quite had the courage to do that yet. A proper map is invaluable, even in this age of GPS, online maps etc… These copies have been extensively used but have lasted well and have years still to give!

The Somme by Peter Hart. The last of my field books. This, however, even in hardback form is more than useful in the field, particularly when pre-marked up with your relevant references. The narrative flows in Mr Hart’s inimitable style and uses many first hand experiences derived from his time as an oral historian at The Imperial War Museum.

Of course there are many many others that could be used but these are my stock walking/cycling companions.

The War Diary of the Master of Belhaven – by Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. Ralf Hamilton. A rarity. I was given this back in 2015. It is a wonderful read and goes in the backpack particularly for descriptions around Maricourt, Carnoy, Trones and Bernafay Woods, attacks on Guillemont. The narrative is clear, honest, somewhat matter of fact and descriptions of horror are vivid.

Epitaphs Of The Great War – The Somme by Sarah Wearne. I bought this at the CWGC Visitor Centre in 2018 and I’m glad I did. It adds a new dimension and greater depth to a War Cemetery stop. Lovely little book and there are others in the series.

The Somme Battlefield – The Top 20 Places To Visit by Ruaraidh Adams-Cairns. This is a charming little book given to me by close friends in 2017. It is in the backpack every trip. The title speaks for itself and the places will hold no huge surprises but the prose is fluid, it is written with heart and the stories, as ever, moving and profound. I love it!

148 Days On The Somme by Barry Cuttell. This, rather predictably, is today’s must carry. Same style, maps, details, cross references – and now you know how much I paid for it at Thiepval! Still, no regrets, it’s been very well used over the years and will be agin in September. A gem, I take my hat off to Mr Cuttell!

One Day on The Somme by Barry Cuttell. I bought this at the Thiepval Memorial shop about 10 years ago, I usually date them inside the cover but forgot for this one. Anyway, I love this book – brilliantly detailed, mapped and explained objective by objective. It looks, reads and feels like a work of love and spiral makes it so practical and easy to use. Always in the backpack and not heavy! No prizes for guessing tomorrow’s field book.