RELATIVES of soldiers who died in some of the bloodiest actions of the First World War are being offered a unique opportunity to visit the graves of their loved ones during this year’s Remembrance season.

Thousands of Worcestershire men were killed or wounded during the battles of the Somme and Ypres, the two main theatres of combat on the Western Front during the 1914-18 conflict.

The Somme has become a byword for the suffering of a generation. On the first day of the battle – July 1, 1916 – more than 20,000 British soldiers lost their lives.

It went down in history as the blackest day of the British Army.

Birmingham War Research Society organiser Alex Bulloch said: “Many men from Worcestershire were heavily involved in the fighting at Ypres and on the Somme.

“Tom Turrall of the Worcestershire Regiment won a Victoria Cross for saving the life of a badly wounded officer at La Boisselle during the Somme fighting.”

Ypres was the scene of three great battles. The third, better known as Passchendaele, has come to symbolise the suffering and waste of trench warfare.

Mr Bulloch said: “Our organisation takes relatives to the graves of those who fell. This special service is included in the price.”

The trip will run from November 8-12 and will also take in the world-famous Armistice service held every year at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

For more information, contact Mr Bulloch on 0121 459 9008.