3rd Banstead Scouts at the Somme
Fifteen Scouts from 3rd Banstead attended a trip to the Somme battlefields over the bank holiday weekend in early May. The trip is the fifth organised by the Group to the Somme since 2011.
The three day visit recounts the first day of the Somme battle and takes the Scouts to a range of different locations across the battlefield including Serre, Beaumont Hamell and Thiepval Memorial.
The Scouts camp under canvas on land owned by Scouters in Banstead, located 30 minutes from the Somme Region.
Simon Osborne, a 3rd Banstead Skills Instructor acts as Guide, and is an expert in the history of the 1st day of the Somme providing the Scouts with a unique insight supported by written accounts and film.
In commemoration of the 24 soldiers who fell at the Somme from Banstead and Burgh Heath, the Scouts read the names of the 24 soldiers who died from Banstead while at the Thiepval Memorial and laid a wreath in commemoration. The wreath included poppies from wreaths laid in Banstead as part of the centenary by the families of those who died at the Somme who were from Banstead and Burgh Heath.
