I carried out some more research, particularly on the connection between the two towns, and what led to the twinning. I contacted a lady at Ulverston council, whom I found online, with a reference to town twinning. She provided 'some' info, but as expected was not able to give definite answers. 

 

The original contact with Albert was in the mid 1970s, prompted by the French teacher, at an Ulverston boys school.  Following the twinning, exchange visits were made and sporting activities took place between the towns.

 

To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, the town of Albert decided to erect the memorial, on the site of the former trench. A local French historian obtained copies of original trench maps, and collected regimental information about the site. 
Those originally involved in the 1970s twinning passed away some time ago. 

 

In 1915 the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment dug the original trenches in that area, when they took over from the French army.
Being drawn from that area, of what was then Lancashire, they named Ulverston St Trench, together with many other local place names: Barrow, Dalton, Furness, Cartmel, to name just a few.

 

These Lancastrians occupied the trenches until Spring 1916.
On 1st July 1916 the same trenches were occupied by the 2nd Royal Berkshire Regiment. At 07.30 they arose, and moved forward, towards their objective, the village of Ovillers.

 

This village, like so many others, was heavily defended and, despite a British bombardment, lasting seven days and nights, it proved a hopeless task. The Berkshires suffered 437, dead, wounded, or missing, before the end of that day.