ABOUT 800 Barnsley men were killed in the Battle of the Somme and as the centenary of the First World War’s bloodiest battle nears, the Chronicle wants to hear from relatives of those who died.

On the first day of the battle alone, July 1 1916, an estimated 300 Barnsley men lost their lives. About 500 were killed during that month, and about 800 had died by the time the battle ended in November.

On July 1 this year the Chronicle will publish a special commemorative edition dedicated to those who died on that same day 100 years earlier. They included a huge number of the Barnsley Pals - The 13th and 14th Battalions of the York and Lancaster Regiment - but also many men from many other regiments.

According to data prepared by the Barnsley War Memorials Project, those who died on July 1 ranged in age from 17 to 48.

The Chronicle would like to hear from anyone who knows of a relative who died during the battle of the Somme - especially on that first day.

Anyone with information, please send an email including the soldier’s full name, rank, regiment, age and address, date of death, or as much detail as you have. Please also include your own full name, address, and a contact telephone number.

Emails should be sent to mike.cotton@barnsley-chronicle.co.uk