The huge sacrifice of Irish soldiers particularly has led to this painting being considered a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the many young local men who fell. Interestingly, the officer leading the advance in the painting was not Irish and in fact had never been to Ireland before joining the 12th battalion of the Royal Irish Riffles in December 1914. Francis Bodenham Thornley, or ‘Frank’ as he was known, was an Englishman. Born in Herefordshire, Frank was only 19 when he was wounded at the Somme and whilst recuperating in hospital in London agreed to speak to Beadle about his experiences. Frank’s accounts aided the artist in creating the realistic depiction. First exhibited in the Royal Academy in London in 1917, the painting was later presented to the then Lord Mayor of Belfast Alderman James Johnston on 1st July 1918, the 2nd anniversary of the battle, as a gift to the citizens of Belfast from the Ulster Volunteers. Now hanging outside the Lord Mayor’s Parlour, the painting can be seen during one of the daily tours City Hall.