Ceremonies To Mark 110th Anniversary Of 'The Day Sussex Died'

(c) Brighton & Hove City Council

Ceremonies will take place across Sussex today (Monday) to mark the 110th anniversary of what became known as "the day Sussex died".

The commemorations remember the Battle of the Boar's Head, fought on 30 June 1916 during the First World War as a diversion ahead of the Battle of the Somme.

Despite heavy bombardment, German defences remained intact, resulting in devastating losses for the South Downs Battalions of the Royal Sussex Regiment.

In just five hours, 366 men were killed and more than 1,000 were wounded or reported missing. Twelve sets of brothers were among those who died.

Services are being held at Brighton War Memorial, outside Rye Town Hall and at the Boar's Head memorial stone in Beach House Park, Worthing.

Brighton & Hove City Council says its ceremony will include the resetting of the Boar's Head memorial stone and the installation of new flagpoles as part of the Valley Gardens regeneration project.

Councillor Amanda Grimshaw said 62 men from Brighton lost their lives in the battle, describing it as the city's greatest loss of life in a single day.

She said: "It is a true honour to set aside a day to come together and recognise the bravery and sacrifice of our armed forces community."