The Lord Mayor of Canterbury George Metcalfe spoke movingly today of his own family losses following a service to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme.

It took place in Canterbury cemetery where there are almost 200 Great War graves - around 10 those believed to be men who returned injured from the Somme battlefield but subsequently died.

The first day of the battle - which raged for 141 days - resulted in 19,240 deaths - the biggest lost of soldiers in one day in British military history.

Cllr Metcalfe said: "Like many people, I'm aware of the sacrifices made in the First World War.

"My maternal grandfather commanded the second Battalion of the Buffs at the Battle of the Somme. He survived that but died of gas poisoning at the age of 56.

"My paternal grandfather was a gunner general and I suppose must have been responsible for a great deal of destruction.

"My two great uncles - a pilot and an engineer - were both killed. So like thousands of people, we all have links to the First World War.

"It is absolutely vital to commemorate days like this. Vital for us as old people and vital for young people coming up to remember these things."

He laid a wreath during the service at the memorial in the cemetery as did Gerry Ferrett, the president of the Canterbury branch of the Royal British Legion which organised the service, led by its chaplain, the Rev Canon Paul Kerr.

Around 20 veterans gathered for the 15 minute commemoration including the branch standard bearers and a bugler who played The Last Post.

Afterwards Mr Ferrett said: "There are an awful lot of servicemen who gave their lives on the Somme who have tended to be forgotten as the Second World War came along.

"Certainly today and this week they have not been forgotten, even at this simply ceremony today and the many around the country.

"It is vitally important that young people remember too and we had a young bugler today who played out Last Post which I thought was really relevant to have the younger generation involved.

"We will remember now right through to 2018 but even after then we will carry on. The families of the men who were killed and injured suffered badly for many years after the war."