A plea has gone out to find people who are direct descendants of soldiers who fought on the Somme.
On Thursday, March 23, the 1916 film The Battle of the Somme will be screened at Huddersfield Town Hall accompanied by a live orchestral soundtrack performed by the Musica Youth Orchestra.
Now organisers want to pay tribute to local men who fought in the battle – and dozens lost their lives.
Nick Dolling, Assistant Principal Musica Kirklees, said: “We are also researching local people who are direct descendants of soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Somme prior to the film showing. We are hoping to have a continuous power point with photos and details of the soldiers to help bring a local link to the event.
“The film received several showings back in 1916 at The Empire, The Picture House and Birkby Palladium.
“An integral part of the Huddersfield screening on March 23 will be the live music courtesy of the MYO, an orchestra comprised of some of the most talented young musicians from our area.”
Laura Rossi, lecturer in Music in Film at the London Film Academy and the composer commissioned to write the orchestral score, will talk the audience as a prelude to the screening.
There will also be an introductory talk by Dr Toby Haggith, senior curator at the Imperial War Museums.
Tickets are free for under 18s or £8 for over 18s and available from the Kirklees Town Halls Box Office tickets.kirklees.gov.uk/ or by calling 01484 225755. All proceeds from ticket and programme sales will go the Mayor’s Charity which is the Royal British Legion. The performance starts at 7.30pm.
Anyone who can help should contact Nick at nick.dolling@musicakirklees.org
