Pro Patria Mori: The 56th (1st London) Division at Gommecourt, 1st July 1916

On Saturday, 1st July 1916, the men of the 56th (1st London) Division, went 'over the top' to storm Gommecourt - a village recognised as the strongest position in the German lines. It was the opening day of the 141-day Battle of the Somme when 57,470 British soldiers were killed, wounded or taken prisoner. 'Pro Patria Mori' recounts the experiences of the London men who fought and died at Gommecourt. Using the personal recollections of those involved, many previously unpublished, the book is a day by day account of the planning and preparation of the attack. The battle itself is covered minute by minute, with many situation maps to explain the action. Unlike many WWI histories, the fighting is seen from both sides of No Man's Land with accounts drawn from many German unit histories.

The Book contains a full Roll of Honour of all men from the 56th (1st London) Division who died before and during the attack on Gommecourt in which over 1,300 men died in just twelve hours.

'Pro Patria Mori' is 530 pages long, fully indexed and comes with 50 photographs and over 20 maps and plans.