The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, was a battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British and French empires against the German Empire. It took place between 1 July and 18 November 1916 on both sides of upper reaches of the River Somme in France. It was the largest battle of the First World War on the Western Front; more than one million men were wounded or killed, making it one of the bloodiest battles in human history.
Private Samuel Rae, 1/5th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers was 27 years of age when he was killed on 1st July 1916. He was a clever boy who had been Dux at the Academy then graduating from Edinburgh University in 1912 Having completed a teacher training course, he had only been a few months at Tiree High School when he was called up.