When men were sent like lambs to the slaughter

I WISH to compliment you on the series of articles (Irish Examiner June 27-29) commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. It needs to be remembered.

I can recall as a youngster in the 1950s speaking to veterans who took part in this and other battles of the World War I. It was hard to get much from them, as they did not really want to talk about it. But all admitted the battles were terrible.

However, of more personal significance is the fact that my grandfather, Peter Nash, fought in the Battle of the Somme. From his records I know that he served in the 32nd Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery. They were based in a place called Mailly-Maillet on July 1, 1916.