A commemoration event will take place to remember the sacrifice made by hundreds of men who volunteered to fight in the First World War.

Friends and colleagues from across the district formed Pals battalions and many were to take part in the Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916. The Bradford Pals were part of the West Yorkshire Regiment and they took part in the attack around the village of Serre in Northern France.

By the end of the first hour of the battle, more than 1,700 men from Bradford had been killed or injured.

To ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten an annual commemoration takes place at the Bradford Pals’ Memorial Stone in the memorial garden behind the war memorial by the Alhambra Theatre.

The event on Sunday, July 1, at 11am, will consist of a service by the Reverend Paul Flowers, chaplain to the Bradford branch of the Royal British Legion, a performance by choir, The Queensbury Singers, and a contribution from Bradford World War One Group. Members of the Great War Society will also attend in World War One battledress.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Dale Smith has invited people to attend the commemoration and will also lay a wreath on behalf of the city.

He said: “This commemoration service is always very important as it ensures we remember the sacrifices made by the Bradford Pals. I would urge as many people as possible to attend.”

The Pals battalions were comprised of men who had enlisted together in local drives with the promise that they would be able to serve alongside people they knew. It was thought men would be more willing to join if they could serve with friends.