20th Battalion (1st Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers

1916 - The Somme

1916 saw the whole Tyneside Scottish brigade arrive in France early in January 1916. An advance party of 20 men actually arrived late December and so qualified for the 1914/15 star.

Weeks of 'trench hardening' would follow. Groups of men would be sent to the front line to become accoustomed to the conditions.

The 1st of July would see the Brigade in full action.