Today marks the hundred year anniversary since the infamous Battle of the Somme, during the First World War.

The Battle of the Somme is known internationally as the first time a tank was used in war, as well as being the greatest loss of human life over a single day in the history of the British Military.

To commemorate the centenary of the Battle of Somme, the Royal British Legion has brought out 19,240 lapel pins, a tribute to each one of the 19,240 lives lost on the 1st July 1916.

Each one of the pins has been handmade from British shell fuses that were collected from the front line after the battle of the Somme. These have been reshaped to create the gold coloured poppy ‘petals’.

The red centre of each poppy has been created using finely ground earth from Gommecourt, Hebuterne, Serrem Beaumont Hamel, Thiepval, Ovillers, La Boisselle, Fricourt and Mametz, mixed with red enamel.

Not only will owners of these unique pins be able to own a little piece of the Somme, but the presentation box that they are posted in also contain a certificate commemorating the life of the individual soldier who was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

Facts about the Battle of the Somme

• The total amount of casualties sustained in the battle of the Somme from both sides was 1,123,907.
• 90% of the British casualties were caused by German machine guns.
• In total, the battle of the Somme lasted 141 days.
• The oldest British soldier to die during the battle was Lt. Henry Webber, who was 68 years old when he was killed on 27th July 1916.
• 72,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers died at the Somme with no known graves.