We Tell Their Stories: Casualties of the Somme

The Battle of the Somme is one of the most infamous campaigns of the First World War. Here, we share casualty stories from this titanic clash. Can you help us keep their memories alive?

We Tell Their Stories

The Battle of the Somme

Image: British soldiers advance in a still from the 1916 film "The Battle of the Somme" (© IWM)

Fought between July and November 1916, the Battle of the Somme has massive cultural and historical significance.

An estimated 3.5 million men fought in the battle on both sides. Roughly a million became casualties.

1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, is still the bloodiest single day in British military history.

Over 18,500 Commonwealth soldiers were killed on that day. This remains the largest single loss of life in the history of the British Army. Throughout the battle, more than 150,000 Commonwealth soldiers had lost their lives.

There has been a lot of debate since those bloody days on the Somme as to whether the campaign was worth it.

The huge loss of life for minimal gains experienced on the Somme has become symbolic of the wider war, at least in the public imagination. 

The loss of the “Pals Battalions”, volunteer units recruited from the same communities, organisations, and workplaces, left civilians at home keenly grieving their fallen loved ones.

Here, we share some casualty stories from those who fell in this most significant of Great World War battles.

Casualties from the Battle of the Somme

Captain Rowland Fraser

Image: Captain Rowland Fraser (public domain)

Rugby-international Captain Rowland Fraser was one of the 18,500 Commonwealth soldiers cut down on the first day of the Somme.

Born on 10 January 1890 in Perth Scotland, Rowland was a keen sportsman with rugby as his chosen sport.

Rowland represented the Cambridge 15 at Cambridge University, making three appearances in the renowned Varsity match. Noted as a hardworking forward, a good dribbler, and an excellent tackler, Rowland made his international debut for Scotland against France in 1911.

At the outbreak of the First World War, Rowland joined the army, enlisting with the Rifle Brigade in August 1914.  He arrived in France in January 1915, taking part in the Battles of Loos and Artois.

Rowland was promoted to Lieutenant in August and Captain in December 1915. He was a well-liked officer, praised for his courage under fire and his leadership abilities.

In June 1916, Rowland travelled to Scotland for four days of leave, marrying May Dorothy Ross. Sadly, a long life of marital bliss was not to be for the married couple.

Rowland was back on the battlefields just ten days after marrying May.

As he led his men forward as they went over the top on 1 July 1916, Rowland was hit by machine-gun fire. His men took him to safety in a shell hole, but Rowland was then sadly struck by shrapnel and killed.

Rowland’s body was never recovered so he his commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.

Private Robert Cocker Rowland Biggin

Image: Private Robert Biggin (Photo courtesy of Sally Jowitt)

Private Robert Biggin was one of eight children and the youngest of three brothers born to Thomas and Selina Biggin of Sheffield, Yorkshire. 

Before enlisting, Robert worked as a gardener. He joined up on 4 December 1915, becoming Private Robert Biggin of the Yorkshire and Lancaster Regiment.

At first, Robert was assigned to the 11th (Reserve) Battalion in Staffordshire for training but was soon sent to the 8th Battalion. By May 1916, Robert was in France. After more training, Robert finally joined his Battalion on June 23. 

Robert would not have long to wait before seeing combat. Just eight days after reaching the front, Robert and the 8th Battalion went into battle on 1 July 1916.

On the first day of the Somme, the Yorks and Lancs attacked the village of Ovillers. The leading waves cleared German front-line trenches but got bogged down in the second line.

With losses mounting, the 8th Battalion was forced back and forced to withdraw.

Over 700 men of the 8th Battalion had attacked Ovillers. Only 68 returned. 

Sadly, Robert was not among them. He was killed on 1 July 1916 at the first day of the Somme, aged just 19.

Robert as no known war grave so is commemorated alongside 72,000 more Commonwealth soldiers on the Thiepval Memorial.

Our thanks to Sally Jowitt for sharing the story of her Great-Great Uncle Robert Biggin.

Second Lieutenant Henare Mokeua Kohere

Image: Second Lieutenant Henare Kohere (public Domain)

Second Lieutenant Henare Kohere had lived an eventful life before military service came calling.

A farmer and grandson of a Māori chief, he was a skilled rugby player and a haka leader. 

In fact, Henare was chosen to lead the Māori delegation for King Edward VII’s coronation in London. The year before, Henare had been awarded a Royal Humane Society New Zealand Bronze Medal for rescuing a young man whose boat had capsized. 

Henare was working on his farm when war broke out in 1914. He enlisted the following year and was assigned to the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion.

The Pioneers were responsible for constructing and maintaining important military infrastructure, such as roads, trench networks, communication systems and drainage.

The Pioneers were often exposed, having to work quickly and efficiently under enemy fire. This took immense courage.

The NZ Pioneer Battalion arrived on the Somme in August 1916 as part of the wider New Zealand Division.

On 14 September, the Kiwis were preparing to launch a major attack on the main German defences in their sector. The Pioneer Battalion was sent in to dig new communication trenches to link with German trenches (once captured).

While digging the new trenchwork, Hanare was struck by shellfire and wounded. Taken to a dugout, he was reported to be “comfortable and happy” despite his grievous wounds.

Henare was sent to the casualty clearing hub at Heilly Station where he succumbed to his wounds and passed away on 16 September 1916. A greatly, respected officer, Henare’s loss was keenly felt by his men.

Today, Henare is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery in Mericourt-L’Abbe.

Captain Vivian Hastings Clay

Image: Captain Vivian Hastings Clay (Photo courtesy of the Clay Family)

Captain Vivian Hastings Clay was killed on his 24th birthday during the Battle of the Somme.

A graduate of University College Durham, Vivian was commissioned into the Wiltshire Regiment on 15 April 1915. He left for the Western Front in September of the same year. Due to his good performance in France, Vivian was promoted to Captain in August 1916.
Vivian would not live to see 1917.

On 18 October, Vivian and 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment took part in an attack east of the village of Le Sars. The assault was successful, and 2nd Battalion was ordered to consolidate its position on the first German Line.

Eyewitness reports suggest Vivian was killed at this time after walking about on top of the trench to encourage and guide his men, struck by a bullet.

One of his men stated: "After setting a splendid example in grenade throwing, he endeavoured to persuade his men to dig a communications trench to our lines. They were most reluctant, so he and I went out into the open in the hope that they would follow. Almost immediately he was struck in the back."

Vivian’s remains were initially recovered and buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery as an unknown Captain of the Wiltshire Regiment. With no known grave, Vivian was commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

Vivian’s grave was identified after Commonwealth War Graves was contacted by researchers suggesting it had been found. Following further investigation, this was confirmed.

Vivian’s grave was rededicated in June 2022 and marked with a Commonwealth War Graves headstone.

Corporal John Daly

Image: John, left, with sister Ethel, and brother Frank (Photo courtesy of the Daly family)

Corporal John Daly’sCorporal John Daly older brother Simeon was a career soldier who joined the British Army in 1907. It’s thought that his older brother’s service may have been the catalyst for John’s enlistment shortly after the outbreak of the Great War.

John joined the 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment, and possibly sailed for France in July 1915 as part of the 18th Division.

Before leaving for the Western Front, however, John married his wife Ethel on 3rd April 1915.

At the Battle of the Somme, the 18th Division saw action in the battlefield’s southern sector. Operations were proceeding better in the south than the disastrous attacks of the Northern Somme.

By 14 July, the 18th Division alongside their comrades from other units had reached Delville Wood.

John’s Battalion had been resting between 8-18 July but was thrown into the deadly hand-to-hand combat engulfing Delville Wood. By now, the South African Brigade holding the woods had been nearly wiped out.

The 10th Battalion reached Delville Wood on July 19. John was killed sometime on the 20th, his Commanding Officer later confirmed that he'd been shot whilst helping a wounded comrade. 

John Francis Daly's body was never identified, so he is remembered at the Thiepval Memorial.

Thank you to Simon Cains for sharing this story.

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