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Island represented at Somme memorial

Today marks the centenary of one of the bloodiest battles of WWI

Chief Minister Allan Bell is in France today as the Isle of Man marks a hundred years since the Battle of the Somme.

He'll be attending a service at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Thiepval Memorial.

Health Minister Howard Quayle will also be commemorating one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.

A hundred and 20 Manxmen lost their lives in the battle which began on July 1st 1916.

Mr Quayle will represent the Island and pay his respects to those who died at the National Commemoration of the Battle of the Somme at Manchester Cathedral.

A March Past at Albert Square and a two-minute silence at the Cenotaph in St Peter's Square will follow.

In all, the five month battle was responsible for 1.3million casualties on all sides.

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