The Royal British Legion has released a video which encourages people to take part in the ‘lights out’ mass commemoration on the 4th August 2014.
Announced by the UK Government in March this year, the initiative invites Britons to display a single light from their homes on the 4th August from 10:00pm-11:00pm. This will mark exactly 100 years since the United Kingdom declared war on Germany.
The idea is based on the famous utterance of the British Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey, in the summer of 1914:
“The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime”.
The Royal British Legion’s video features a host of figures from British public life, alongside serving members of the British Armed Forces and veterans who are now at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
The journalist and television presenter Jeremy Paxman, who took part in the campaign, encouraged people to take part and light a candle on the 4th August:
“Three quarters of a million men didn’t return from the First World War. The so-called ‘War To End War’ didn’t do so, more’s the pity. That wasn’t their fault. The least we can do is to remember them”.
The Royal British Legion is producing candles for the commemorative event, priced at £4 each. All of the money made will return to the charity, which represents and supports the Armed Forces Community.
Source: Royal British Legion
Images courtesy of the Royal British Legion
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News