British soldiers killed on the Somme battlefield are to be honoured as part of a touching and lasting tribute created by TMB Art Metal and the Royal British Legion. It follows incredible demand for a run of 19,240 pins – made using materials from the Somme battlefield – which honoured the British soldiers killed on the first day of the battle, 1 July 1916.

TMB’s new series of Somme 1916 Poppy Pins will recognise the sacrifice of the British men that gave their lives at the Somme 100 years ago. The initial limited run of 19,240 pins paid tribute to the soldiers that died in the fighting on the first day of the battle; the bloodiest single day in British Armed Forces history.

Each of the pins provides a vivid reminder of the incredible sacrifice at the Somme, created using materials recovered from the battlefield itself. The gold-coloured pins are made using brass from British shell fuses fired during the battle, while the red enamel centre contains earth from the British front line.

The new pins will be differentiated to the first of 19,240, meaning the original run will retain their exclusivity; these pins being inscribed Somme 1916 on the reverse, as a reminder of the fateful year they are honouring. The first batch was inscribed Somme 100.

As with the first run, the new pins will each come with a certificate that honours an individual soldier killed over the course of the Battle of the Somme, from the second day of fighting, 2 July, to the very last on 18 November 1916.

By taking things intended for the purposes of war and turning them into articles of remembrance, the Somme 1916 Poppy Pins are a perfect tribute to the sacrifice made by so many. The pins are a lasting tribute to those killed at the Somme, while the money raised for The Royal British Legion will help to support today’s Service personnel, veterans and their families.

The pins have proved fantastically popular, having been worn by notable politicians, celebrities and newsreaders. An appearance on the BBC Breakfast sofa resulted in a rush of orders, with tens of thousands of people attempting to buy the pins. The weight of enquiries was such that it resulted in a waiting list of nearly 30,000 people.

Christopher Bennett, TMB Art Metal founder and creator of the Somme Poppy Pins, said: “It was humbling that so many people were so supportive of the original Somme 100 Centenary Poppy Pins, and wanted to own one to pay tribute to the soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice 100 years ago.

“We were always mindful that the story didn’t end with the 19,240 who fell on day one of the battle, and we are delighted to now be able to pay tribute to all the British soldiers that fought and died on the Somme.

“Although the popularity of the pins was wonderful to see, I’m aware that many missed out due to the sheer volume of orders. I have spoken to people who managed to place an order, and those who have missed out the first time around, and the emotion that came over indicated just how much the story means to people. This way, more people will be able to share in the story and pay tribute.”

The new Somme 1916 Poppy Pins will be handmade in Britain, with the manufacturing process taking place in the Jewellery Quarters of London and Birmingham. The idea for making the pins came to Christopher on one of his many visits to the Somme battlefield, where he felt compelled to honour the men that gave their lives to protect the future of millions of others.

The Royal British Legion’s Interim Director of Fundraising, Nicola Tallett, said: “The Somme is known as one of the costliest battles of the First World War and its impact was felt very deeply by nearly every community in the UK. The Somme 100 and Somme 1916 pins are a meaningful tribute to those who died as they each remember an individual who fell at the Somme and remind us of the family, friends and communities they left behind.”

The Somme 1916 pins are available through the Royal British Legion online shop at poppyshop.org.uk.