a finely granular variety of gypsum, often white and translucent, used for ornamental objects or work, such as lamp bases, figurines, etc. 2. Also called Oriental alabaster. a variety of calcite, often banded, used or sold as alabaster.
Battle of the Somme. The Battle of the Somme (French: Bataille de la Somme, German: Schlacht an der Somme), also known as the Somme Offensive, was a battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British and French empires against the German Empire. It took place between 1 July and 18 November 1916 on both sides of the upper reaches of the River Somme in France
Compared to later First World War battles, the cost of the eight-month Gallipoli campaign â April 1915 to January 1916 â was not particularly heavy: the Allies lost around 250,000 men, and the Turks the same number. British casualties during the first day of the Somme alone were 60,000.