The numer of soldiers killed in six different battalions during the #FirstWorldWar shows just how different a soldier's experience of war could be depending on the formation he served in. Starting with the total, some battalions had more than double the men killed than others.

It also shows the difference between "active" divisions, who were used for numerous major offensives and those who were only used sparingly.

The 5th Camerons, 9th Division, took part in more than 7 major operations. Losing 243 men killed at Loos on the first day alone.

Compare this to the 15th West Yorkshire, Leeds Pals who only fought two major engagements. The first was the opening day of the Somme, where it is interesting to note that they lost fewer men killed than the Camerons at Loos.

The 2nd was the Third Battle of the Scarpe, at Arras.

The other four battalions are the 9th KOYLIs, who were part of 21st Division which suffered the most casualties of any division on the Western Front. They were highly active. Taking part in more than 8 major offensives (more than 25 men killed as a benchmark).

The 5th Seaforths, 51st Division, took part in numerous operations but never suffered more than one hundred soldiers killed in a single action.

The 6th West Yorkshires were used sparingly but when attacked in May 1918 they put up a spirited defence, losing 90 men killed to the German spring offensive.

Last is the 8th East Surrey of 18th Division. Famous for taking all their objectives on the first day of the Somme it is important to see that their casualties were still very heavy.