EIGHTY five years ago on Saturday, hundreds of Bolton men died in one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. In this special article, Bolton-born actor Roger Morlidge, who now lives in London, but who is writing a film script about his grandmother's experiences in Bolton in that dreadful war, tells of the butchery on October 26, 1917.

"Finding research about Bolton in the First World War was very difficult, and I was saddened to feel that the contribution of the town was being forgotten and overlooked.," he writes. "I've still never found a published account of anyone from a Bolton unit in any history book. There are two reasons for this: firstly, there were no units present at decisive points of important battles, and secondly, there are simply no letters, photographs or diaries from Bolton units available in archives - the regimental war diaries exist, but they are rather dry and informal."

At the end of his article, Mr Morlidge suggests that anyone who has First World War memories or other material should contact Bolton Museum where it is hoped that memories and experiences of Bolton people can be recorded, not only for future generations to study, but also as a tribute to those who gave their lives in the mud and trenches.