Because We Are Here, 100th Anniversary, Somme

To be asked to be a part of this project by 14-18 NOW has been a huge privilege, the UK’s arts programme for the First WorldWar centenary, the work was created by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre. 1400 Silent ghost soldiers stood in cities handing out cards, each soldier representing someone who died in battle.  To see commuters greeted by such scenes was both humbling and also incredibly moving.  The battle of the Somme saw more than 1 million people killed or injured, mums were left without sons and husbands, daughters left without brothers and all for 15 miles of land, lets just take a moment to think about that...

Now is not the time for me to express my opinions of war or hatred, I'm simply going to share with you the scenes I witnessed this morning and with all that has happened in the British political system this week you'd have to think that this puts things back into perspective.

If you want to see more images from around the country today you can search for the hashtag #wearehere on Twitter.

To find out more about the project please visit https://becausewearehere.co.uk/

To speak to me about using any of these images please email mandy@mandycharltonphotography.com