IN these anxious days it is of course always important to try to get a sense of perspective.

Yes we are in uncharted waters in modern times, with fears for our economy and indeed our entire political system rife.

Yet today we should all glance over our shoulders back into history to remember times infinitely more dangerous and harrowing than now.

For 100 years ago today, hundreds of this county’s young men were mown down in the killing fields of northern France.

Amid the mud and mayhem, nearly 400 men from the Royal Sussex Regiment met their end as the county’s “pals battalions” staged a diversionary tactic ahead of the Battle of the Somme the next day.

Every community in the county was affected by a loss of someone in that battle which became known as the Day Sussex Died.

Ceremonies in Brighton and Worthing will mark the occasion, as will the French, and 120 relatives at the tiny village of Richebourg-l’Avoue close to where the battle took place.

People from both countries will be standing together to remember the sacrifices made by those who would defend against aggression.

In many ways the day has been forgotten next to the undoubtedly even greater horrors that were to commence the next day.

But for Sussex, today is a day to give thanks, to pause a while, for those young men who gave their lives to preserve democracy at home and across Europe.

They deserve never to be forgotten. It is important that the story of the Sussex pals is passed on to future generations.  We can all do our little bit to make sure that this is so.