CinemaOSMovie · 2016 · 0h 45m · G

The Somme: The First 24 Hours with Tony Robinson

Documentary

Hosted by actor and historian Sir Tony Robinson, this one-off special tells the powerful and moving story of five men, all members of a unique volunteer army – the Sheffield City battalion – as it recounts the soldiers’ last days, leaving their homes and loved ones to go and serve alongside their friends and neighbours, completely unaware of what lay ahead of them. Central to the programme is the story of Private Frank Meakin, who recorded his unique personal testimony of the war. Frank and his friends could never have anticipated what they would experience, but 100 years on we know in detail, thanks to his diary – an account that shouldn’t have existed, because keeping one was forbidden for servicemen on active duty on the Western Front. Frank’s diary, which was smuggled back from the Front, reveals the intimate details and dramatic stories of one battalion – and one British city – in the words of one man.

Directed byJeremy Freeston

Play
Status
Released
Runtime
0h 45m
Language
EN
Released
July 3, 2016

Featuring

Cast & crew

6 credited
Starring
Tony Robinson

Tony Robinson

Presenter

Simon Ashland

Private Frank Meakin

Carl Wharton

Carl Wharton

Captain William Folley

Richard Thirlwall

Private Alf Casey

Josef Dawes

Private Reg Glenn

Jon M Coleman

Sergeant Will Streets

Creative team
Directed by
Jeremy Freeston
Jeremy Freeston
Written by
Jeremy Freeston
Jeremy Freeston

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