On 1st July 2016 1400 men aged 16-52 took part in a living memorial for the Battle of the Somme. Marking the centenary of the first day of the battle, the participants were dressed in full, authentic WW1 uniform and appeared in cities and towns across the UK.

we're here because we're here was a UK-wide event commissioned by 14-18 NOW, conceived and created by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris, Artistic Director of the National Theatre. It was produced by Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the National Theatre, in collaboration with 27 organisations.

I was responsible for the Sheffield hub of the project, directing 66 performers over a seven-week rehearsal process. Our participants appeared across Sheffield, as well as in Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley.

You can find out more about the project as well as an archive of tweets and photos at becausewearehere.co.uk

Photography by Joe Priestley