Why does WWI maintain such a grip on the imagination of the English?

Open any regimental history of the war at pretty much any page. I just did the internet equivalent.

“The Newfoundland battalion, for example, attacked 750 strong. 40 odd unwounded returned in the course of the day and the remaining 710 were casualties.”

Note that that particular battalion was part of the third wave, and when they went “over the top” already knew that the first two waves had been annihilated by enemy machinegun fire.

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”