The Battle of the Somme, fought in northern France between 1st July and 18th November 1916, was one of the bloodiest of World War One. The British and French armies engaged the Germans in a brutal battle of attrition on a 15-mile front. In total, there were over one million dead and wounded on all sides. The slaughter was on an unprecedented scale. How did individuals and society grieve? How did faith institutions respond to the traumatic loss of life? What was its effect on the spiritual psyche of Britain in the immediate aftermath and in subsequent decades? Ernie Rea and guests discuss the religious response to the Battle of the Somme.

Producer: Dan Tierney
Series producer: Amanda Hancox. Published on June 27, 2016.

Battle of the Somme

Debates exploring the place of religion and faith in today's complex world. Ernie Rea is joined by a multi-faith panel to discuss how religious traditions affect their values and perspectives. 

Battle of the Somme

Radio 4: Beyond Belief