IT is a moving tribute to remember those who died in the Battle of the Somme.
A field of poppy crosses at Serle's House in Winchester has been created as part of the 100th anniversary of the brutal battle in the First World War.
Five Royal Hampshire Regiment battalions took part in the battle which ran from July to November 1916.
Lieutenant Colonel Colin Bulleid who is secretary to the trustees of the Royal Hampshire Regiment Trust explained the first battalion of the Royal Hampshire Regiment who went over the top in the battle on July 1 lost 559 men and 26 officers who were either killed, wounded or missing on the first day of battle.
The report of the battle wasn't written up for weeks as the officers were too badly injured.
A total of 1280 crosses have been placed in the grounds of Serle House in Southgate Street, that is the same number of men in the Hampshire regiment who died in the campaign.
Colonel Colin Bulleid said: "1280 Hampshire Regiment were killed just in the Somme campaign that should be viewed in consideration. In the total war we lost just over 8000 so 1280 were killed in this campaign alone, so therefore to mark the 100th anniversary it is extremely important we remember the sacrifice of these soldiers."
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