At 11pm on 4th August 1914 Britain declared war on Germany. For the next four years young men from all parts of Britain, from the Indian sub continent to Africa, Australia and as far as the Caribbean stood side by side in the bloodiest conflict the world has ever known.
Within weeks of the declaration of war the two nation’s’ forces clashed for the first time outside Mons where the casualties on both sides amounted to nearly four thousand. In response to this first encounter the then foreign secretary St Edward Grey coined a phrase which reflected the sense of tragedy and despair that was felt in every town city and village in the Britain of the day when he said ‘The lamps are going out all over Europe and we shall not see them lit again in our life time’.
Four years later on 11th November 1918 a semblance of peace returned to a Europe devastated by the ravages of war and conflict which by then had claimed the lives of over sixteen million people and changed the world forever.
During this time of commemoration events will be held when members of Royalty, political and military leaders will represent the nations in honouring the memories of those who gave of their lives in a war that was seen, due to the enormity of the loss of life, as the war to end all wars.
There was hardly a family a hundred years ago who did not experience loss. In our own community the many ‘rolls of honour’ in our churches and chapels and other places of remembrance list the names of those whose served and died in lands far from their home. We are indebted to them and in honouring their memories we give thanks for the legacy of liberty and freedom they have given the generations which followed.
Two world wars and every conflict since 1914 have meant great sacrifice by some for the sake of others. How true the words of Jesus ‘No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends’ We remember those who made that ultimate sacrifice in the first world war and since, praying that peace will come to our troubled world and that Jesus the Prince of peace might reign in the hearts of all people.
‘At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them’
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