Ceremonies in UK, France mark Battle of the Somme centenary

The close of the vigil at the Grave of the Unknown Solider in Westminster Abbey, London, as the nation honours thousands of soldiers killed in the Battle of the Somme, 100 years after its bloody beginning, Britain Friday July 1, 2016. REUTERS/Dominic Lipinski/Pool

LONDON (Reuters) - Soldiers, politicians, royalty and ordinary citizens stood in silence, heads bowed, on Friday in ceremonies across Britain and France to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest battles in history.

The devastating World War One clash began on July 1, 1916, along a 15-mile (24 km) front near the River Somme in northern France, where British and French forces hoped to win a decisive victory against Germany.