Wembley Arch tribute to Battle of the Somme

The Football Association will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme by lighting the Wembley Arch white on Thursday night.

A nationwide two-minute silence will take place at 7.28am on Friday morning - the time British troops went over the top in 1916.

FA president Prince William will attend a special service at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing operated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

July 1 1916 remains the bloodiest day in British military history, with more than 19,000 British soldiers losing their lives and tens of thousands injured.

Among those killed on that first day was Leeds and England footballer Lt Evelyn Lintott of the 15th (Service) Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment. Lintott is among more than 72,000 soldiers with no known grave commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

FA chairman Greg Dyke joined others from across English football in visiting Thiepval in 2014 on a trip organised by the Football League and FA chief executive Martin Glenn accompanied colleagues in a personal trip of remembrance in early June.

Glenn said: "The FA recognises the magnitude of what happened in France 100 years ago this summer, particularly on the worst day in our military history.

"In so doing, it is important we also pay tribute to the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They do so much to keep their memory alive.

"We also realise the responsibility we have to raise awareness and engage football fans - particularly younger supporters - as part of the wider national programme of events planned this year through to 2018. We will remember them."