Services mark the 'day Sussex died' 110 years ago

Ceremonies are set to be held marking the 110th anniversary of the "day Sussex died".

A service at Brighton War Memorial will commemorate the World War One Battle of the Boar's Head, which was fought on 30 June 1916 as a diversion ahead of the Somme.

Despite heavy bombardment, German defences remained intact, resulting in devastating losses for the South Downs Battalions of the Royal Sussex Regiment.

It came to be known as "the day Sussex died" since 366 men were killed with more than 1,000 wounded or missing.

All the casualties from the battle near Richebourg in France came within the space of five hours.

Twelve sets of brothers were among those killed.

"Scarcely a town or village in Sussex did not have men who were affected," said Brighton & Hove City councillor Amanda Grimshaw.

She said 62 men from Brighton died in the battle, which she said was "the city's greatest loss of life in one day".

Ceremonies to mark the anniversary are also set to be held outside Rye Town Hall and at a memorial stone in Beach House Park in Worthing.

Brighton & Hove City Council says its ceremony will involve the resetting of the Boar's Head memorial stone and the installation of new flagpoles as part of the Valley Gardens regeneration project.

"It is a true honour to set aside a day to come together and recognise the bravery and sacrifice of our armed forces community," said Grimshaw.

In 2025, British army veteran Guy Radlett marched along the Sussex coastline from Rye to Chichester in remembrance of those from the Royal Sussex Regiment who fell during the battle.

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