Union flag flies at full mast across Barking and Dagenham to mark Somme centenary

The Union flag is flying at full mast at Dagenham Civic Centre and Barking town hall today to mark the 100th anniversary of the Somme.

A two minute silence was also held between 7.28am and 7.30am to remember the First World War’s bloodiest battle in which 19,240 men lost their lives.

Cllr Saima Ashraf, deputy leader and cabinet member for community leadership and engagement, said: “The flag raising ceremony is an opportunity for us to mourn and pay our respects to all service people who lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme.”