THE war dead who gave their lives 100 years ago today in the Battle of the Somme reappeared in Reading town centre in a touching tribute.
Marching silently between shoppers and residents the group of artists left passersby stunned as they paraded past in full military uniform.
Each man in the #wearehere project represented a soldier who died during the first day of the conflict on July 1, 1916.
Up and down the country commuters have been faced with similar demonstrations as the nation marks the centenary of the one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.
Pausing in The Oracle shopping centre's riverside this morning some 20 men assembled in position on one of the bridges as bystanders were forced to pause and reflect on those who died.
John and Emily Simpson, from Wokingham, were among the shoppers who were stopped in their tracks by the tribute.
Emily said: "I think it's a lovely way to recognise things that happened a hundred years ago that I don't think we give enough memory and thought to at the moment with everything that is going on in the world.
"It certainly made me stop and stand still to think about it and remember."
John added: "It definitely left me feeling sombre and respectful."
As part of the moving performance the men remained mute and stared past those who tried to talk to them - simply reaching into their pockets to hand over a card with the name and rank of the lost soldier they represented.
Resting for a few minutes aside the Kennet river some of the troop stopped for a sip of water from a glass canteen while others snuck a cigarette or bent down to retie their shoes.
The battle being commemorated began 100 years ago this morning when at 7.30am thousands of Allied troops went 'over the top' into oncoming German machine gun fire.
Between both sides it is estimated there were as many as 1.3m deaths or casualties and the campaign has since become a symbol to some of the futility and tragic cost of war.
Did you see this moving memorial in Reading today? Share your pictures with the Reading Chronicle on Facebook or twitter or email them to news@readingchronicle.co.uk
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