SASRA at the Somme

SASRA (The Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Scripture Readers Association) brings you Old Bill’s writings during the Battle of the Somme, from July to November 1916. William Ransley (Old Bill) became an Army Scripture Reader shortly after leaving the Army in 1889, deciding to dedicate his time and energy to sharing the gospel full-time with the men and women of the military. His work saw him sailing off to the hospitals in northern France, where he experienced the bloodbath at the Battle of the Somme through his encounters with injured soldiers from both sides. His journal gives a glimpse of the role of Scripture Readers and sheds light on the message of hope SASRA Readers took, and still take, to the men and women of the Armed Forces.