To mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, The Royal British Legion in its role as Custodian of Remembrance is calling on communities, organisations and individuals across the Island to commemorate the 1261 Islanders killed in WW1.

A Somme Vigil will take place at the Royal Chapel of St. John and at the National War Memorial. The event will run from 9.00pm on 30th June until 7.30am on 1st July.

‘Sunset’ will be played at 10.00pm. All the names of the Manx WW1 fallen will be read throughout the night. Reveille will be called at 7.00am. Whistles will sound ‘over the top’ at 7.30am. Our thoughts will rest with the sacrifices of the fallen whilst The Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums play us from the field with ‘The Tunes of Glory’.

Every Parish of our Island was affected by deaths in the battles of WW1 where our men who marched off together died together.
Our Remembrance event is one of many taking place across the British Isles and will be a chance for people to acknowledge the sacrifice of those who died.

The Archdeacon of Mann, The Venerable Andie Brown, Chaplain to the Royal British Legion said:

‘This commemoration allows us all to acknowledge the sacrifices made, to remember each individual, to pray for peace and to mark the futility of war.’