SOMME by Lyn Macdonald. Another classic. I think this was my first Somme related purchase back in 1988. This book is probably also best marked up with detail before setting off by foot or bike as it contains a similar mixture of military detail and personal account. Moving and memorable. Brilliant.

The First Day On The Somme by Martin Middlebrook, which I bought in 1992. Middlebrook’s emotive and forthright prose appeals as he tells the story of the the first day through the experiences of those who fought, and it is so personal that you can’t help but be affected by the experiences whilst reading from the very spots they happened. Depending on the day’s exploration, this is a book which perhaps needs marking up before going into the field with relevant tales of raw courage, shambles and sadness.

When The Barrage Lifts by Gerald Gliddon. This copy dates from 1993 – also well used! Wherever you are on The Somme, Gliddon’s A-Z is a goldmine information . Brilliant and a must take in the field.

The Somme Battlefields by Martin and Mary Middlebrook probably represents the best value I have ever had from a book. This copy I bought in 1998 and as you can see it is well thumbed. Whether walking or cycling it is the first book in the bag. It is organised by area, so easy to navigate and sensitively written. As a guide or simply as a fascinating read, this is a very special book!

We’re heading back to The Somme in early September. No particular plans at this point but, with bicycles close by, I am sure we will visit many of the evocative battlefields and seek out new and extraordinary stories from a remarkable era. Looking forward already…