Commemoration services have taken place across Caerphilly County Borough as communities paid respect to those who lost their life at the battles of the Somme and Mametz Wood, a century ago.
The Caerphilly branch of the Royal British Legion commemorated the loss of lives on the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme on Friday July 1.
A short, poignant service in front of the Caerphilly Town cenotaph was held, and commenced at 7.28am with the blowing of a whistle.
Cllr James Fussell, representing St Martins ward, said: “When the whistle blew, it was a real hairs-on-the-back-of-the-neck moment.
“While for us, it signified two minutes of silence, 100 years ago it was the sign to head over the top of the trenches.
“It was a very poignant moment.”
The event was attended by a small congregation made up of Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni school children, former serving service men and women, Royal British Legion members, Caerphilly AM, Hefin David, and Caerphilly Town Mayor Cllr Steve Kent.
The service remembered two Caerphilly town men who lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme.
Cllr Fussell added: “I would like the thank the Royal British Legion and Martin Cook of the Tourist Information Centre for organising this event.”
Thursday July 7 marks the centenary of the Battle of Mametz Wood, a key area of the Somme conflict, where nearly 4,000 soldiers from the 38th Welsh Division lost their lives fighting German forces in the heavily fortified, thick woodland.
Lewis School Pengam students will pay their respects with a creative tribute.
Marking the duration of the battle, a group of Year Ten pupils will be tweeting a collection of 1916 diary entries and poetry on Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Twitter account, www.twitter.com/CaerphillyCBC.
The pupils have examined a range of source material, including an officer’s diary, whistle, and gun damaged spade.
Year 10 pupil Jacob Argent said: “There’s always been a big awareness that a lot of boys from our school, as with any school, have fought in wars.
“We have a plaque with all their names, and there are numerous reminders around the school.”