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Sussex's Darkest Day: 110 Years Since WWI Tragedy
30 Jun
Summary
- Ceremonies mark 110 years since the Battle of the Boar's Head.
- 366 men were killed and over 1,000 wounded or missing.
- The battle occurred in France as a diversion for the Somme offensive.
This year marks the 110th anniversary of a tragic day in Sussex history, known as "the day Sussex died." Ceremonies are planned to commemorate the World War One Battle of the Boar's Head, which took place on June 30, 1916.
The battle was fought near Richebourg, France, as a diversionary tactic ahead of the larger Somme offensive. Despite intense bombardment, German defenses held strong, leading to catastrophic casualties for the South Downs Battalions of the Royal Sussex Regiment.
In a devastating five-hour period, 366 men from the regiment were killed, with more than 1,000 others reported wounded or missing. The scale of loss was so profound that twelve sets of brothers were among those who perished.
