Somme commemorations take place on Tyne and Wear Metro system

The Tyne and Wear Metro has played its part in commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
Actors dressed as soldiers mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme on the Tyne and Wear Metro.Actors dressed as soldiers mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme on the Tyne and Wear Metro.
Actors dressed as soldiers mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme on the Tyne and Wear Metro.

Actors dressed as soldiers from the First World War Northumberland Fusiliers travelled on Metro on Friday between Newcastle and Sunderland as part of the commemorations.

Groups of actors walked and travelled round towns and cities in North East England as part of an event staged by the National Theatre and Northern Stage.

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They handed out cards to passengers bearing the names of those soldiers who were killed 100 years ago.

Head of Communications at Nexus, Huw Lewis, said: “This was an extremely moving tribute to all those who fell at the Battle of the Somme a hundred years ago.

“The troops that were travelling on Metro represented those members of the Northumberland Fusilier who fell serving their country. They will never be forgotten.”

It formed part of a nationwide series of events to mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, which claimed almost 20,000 British lives on the first day.

The commemorations began at 7.28am with a two minute silence at the exact time the first troops began advancing on the German lines.