Monday 25th September - 73 deg F, fine clear day- Men from all the East Midland Shires and other counties move into position. Ex-miners, FWK, Ag Labs, shop-workers, mill workers ready for the off. Tuesday 26th September - 75 deg F Fine day - 11-30 am - The above men are in position. 12.35 - Go Over, 12.48 pm - 1st Objective, 1.17 pm 2nd Objective gained. 'Punctually at the zero hour 12.35 p.m. the 9th Sherwood Foresters moved forward under the barrage with 6th Border Regiment on their left. In ten minutes time the first objective had been taken, and the battalion had captured 95 prisoners, 3 machine-guns and one Trench Mortar. "D" Company was leading with "A" and "B" in support. 12.59 pm the Sherwood Foresters moved forward to take the 2nd Objective - Zollern Trench. "A" and "B" Companies were now in the van. Zollern Trench was reported occupied by 1.17pm. Considerable enemy opposition was met with here, and many casualties amongst officers and men occurred. The captures in this trench amounted to nearly 200 prisoners, 3 Machine-Guns and 3 Trench Mortars. Some excellent work was also done here in clearing Midway Trench by a special bombing party. The fight continued all afternoon and through the night as the battalion clung on to its gains. Brigadier's report on the operation - 'The manner in which the Hessian Trench was tenaciously held during the night 26/27th September by the 9th Sherwood Foresters reflected the greatest credit on that battalion as it was without touch on its right and left with anyone except the enemy'. Over 70 men died and some 200 wounded from 9th battalion - 10% killed and nearly 30% wounded. The Somme near Thiepval 25th and 26th September 1916 - 90 years ago. The next time you look at that old photo of Granddad or Gt Granddad in uniform, take a little time to remember that he wasn't just a boring old man, he was a hero who made sure that we can moan about the trivial things in life. Today and Tomorrow (and everyday) take the time to stop and remember. Not just on November 11th because the supermarkets want you to. A chilling fact - in the 20 century only 1968 saw no soldiers die in service. When you go home, think of us and say For your tomorrow , we gave our today. We will remember them. Researching 9th (service) Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys Regiment) during the Great War. www.ypressalient.co.uk People ask me my religion - my religion is kindness - True enlightenment is nothing but the nature of one's own self being fully realised