Scarf worn by John McLoughlin

In 1916, the British Army undertook a major offensive on the Western Front in the valley of the River Somme.

Soldiers of the Ulster Division were prominent in the battle; several other Irish units also took part.

However, barbed wire, machine guns and artillery made the attacking infantryman’s chances of survival slim, despite all his courage and training.

The scarf pictured here was worn by John McLoughlin, who was just 16 when he joined the Royal Irish Rifles.

During the Battle of the Somme, John was shot in the spine. He died shortly before his 20th birthday due to his wounds from the battle.