William leads commemorations for sacrifices made by heroes of Amiens

THE Duke of Cambridge led tributes yesterday to the troops who fought and died in the Battle of Amiens.

Prince William was joined by Prime Minister Theresa May at a service marking the centenary of the battle that claimed more than 20,000 Allied soldiers.

The decisive campaign at Amiens was the start of what came to be known as the Hundred Days Offensive – culminating in the end of the First World War at 11am on November 11, 1918.

William said: “Amiens was symbolic of the entente cordiale, the co-operation without which victory was impossible. It is entirely fitting therefore, that today, that same international coalition has returned to Amiens with our former enemy, in peace and partnership.”

William and Mrs May later laid a wreath after a series of readings by current servicemen and women – taken from the letters of soldiers who fought in the battle. Some 2,000 guests watched the service from inside the town’s 13th century cathedral, while a further 1,200 packed into the cathedral square.

Kevin Sherlock’s great uncle, Lance Corporal Ernest Harm, was 19 when he was killed on August 11, 1918. Ernest has no known grave but his name is on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial.

Kevin, 58, from Derby, said: “I think that, even though it was 100 years ago, the emotion of what happened still passed through the generations. The fact UNITED FRONT National flags carried at cathedral

that he was 19, he was just a lad really. I think it is important to me now we live as well as we can in his memory.”

Described by German General Erich Ludendorff as “the black day of the German army”, the Amiens offensive started on August 8, 1918 and lasted three days. It was one of the first major conflicts involving tanks – signalling an end to trench warfare.

The offensive involved 75,000 men, 2,000 artillery pieces, 1,900 planes and 500 tanks. On its first day, Allied troops advanced eight miles and caused 27,000 casualties – 12,000 of whom were taken prisoner.

Yesterday’s event was staged by the UK Government in partnership with those of Australia, Canada, the US and France. However president Emmanuel Macron, from Amiens, missed it as he was on holiday.

Mrs May said: “A hundred years on, today’s ceremony is a fitting moment to remember those who sacrificed their lives, and reflect on our shared past, present and future.”

GREETING Mrs May curtseys to Prince Wills