‘The Day of the Great Battle’ Important First Day of The Somme Diary of Lieutenant Ernest Pearson, 11th Notts & Derby Regiment, A5-sized Army Book 136, with his name written to the cover. The book has been used as a diary and is full of first-hand legible notes from 16th June to 27th July 1916. The early part of the diary describes the preparations for the 70th Brigade’s attack on The Nab salient, comprising the 8th Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 8th Yorkshire and Lancashire, 9th Yorks and Lancs, 11th Sherwood Foresters, the 70th MG Company and the 70th Light Mortar Batt. Extract, ‘Each soldier to carry 220 rounds ammunition. Troops are forbidden to stop to collect souvenirs’. At the back of the book is a poignant roll call of the strength of the battalions before and after 1st July 1916. The entry for the 1st day of the Somme ‘July 1st ‘6.30am The Day of The Great Battle. Probably one of the greatest in history. The roar of the guns is incessant’ and ‘7.30 attack commences; 7.35 Infantry over Bosche front line.’. ‘…can see 16th HLI shooting Germans in the trenches’. ‘9.05, 9th Y&L in 3rd line, 8th KOYLI report enemy are on the run’. ‘10.05, No progress, both Brigades held up by machine gun fire’. ‘11.30 Casualties very heavy’. ‘7.30pm, 70th Bde has been cut to pieces’. ‘8th Y&L went into action 22 officers 677 O.R. & came out 65 O.R.’ Pearson was seconded to the 97th and 70th Brigade Headquarters near Authuille Wood that epic day, recounting the preparations, the events of the day and its aftermath. A full typed transcription is included.