Private Mark Graham M.M.

Private Mark Graham, M.M., 21st ( 2nd Tyneside Scottish ) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in action in France on 1st July 1916 on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and is buried in Ovillers Military Cemetery, nr Albert, Somme France. He had been born in Tweedmouth and had enlisted in Gateshead. On that fateful day he fell in the attack on La Boiselle where the Battalion suffered heavy casualties of 578 of whom 190 were killed. The photo shows troops attacking over a very wide no mans land with the lack of cover very apparent.