July 1st 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of one of the largest conflicts of World War I, the Battle of the Somme. Fought over 141 days, British and French allies engaged against the Germans over a 15-mile front in an attempt to relieve the French Army.
On the first day alone the British Army suffered over 19,000 losses, which to this day remains the bloodiest day in their history. By November 19th more than one million soldiers were either severely injured or had lost their lives.
Inspiration for the Rugby shirt design comes from the first day. British troops captured three square miles of territory by cutting through barbed wire strategically set up by the Germans in ‘No-Man’s land’.
The background features an original image that maps the battlefield around the Somme; showing 15 miles of rivers and forests that formed the canvas of one of the most defining periods of the war. A black cloud of smoke in the centre of the shirt symbolises fire from a British 18-pounder field artillery gun that covered troops whilst on ground assaults.
A remastered image on the back is presumed to be part of one of the ‘Pal’s Battalions’, taken amidst the battle. The Somme Thiepval Memorial in the background as well as the quote "They Died That We May Live" provide a fitting tribute not only to those who were part of these battalions, but to every man who lost their lives defending their nation.
Other details include the Army Rugby Union logo on the left chest, the dates of the battle on the right sleeve and Royal British Legion logo on the left sleeve. The standard collar has the dates ‘1916’ and ‘2016’ to celebrate the 100th anniversary whilst the black raglan cut sleeves are a reflection of the armbands worn by those who were back at home to remember those who fell on the battlefield.
