Lights out tonight to remember the Fallen

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2715326/Britons-urged-turn-lights-First-World-War-centenary.html

Turn out your lights to remember the fallen: Britons urged to join some of the country's most famous buildings with candle-lit vigil for First World War centenary
Millions of homes and buildings expected to take part in the scheme at 10pm
Idea inspired by former foreign secretary Sir Edward Grey's famous words
House of the Parliament, Tower Bridge and St Paul's Cathedral taking part
David Cameron urges families to join in the 'gesture of remembrance'


By Richard Spillett

Published: 10:02, 4 August 2014  | Updated: 14:29, 4 August 2014  


Homes, businesses and public buildings across the UK are being asked to turn out their lights for an hour at 10pm tonight to remember those who died in the First World War.

Families are being asked to leave on a single light or candle to commemorate the moment then-Prime Minister Herbert Asquith declared Britain had entered the First World War at 11pm on August 4, 1914.

Buildings around the country, including Tower Bridge and 10 Downing Street, will be taking part in the 'hour of reflection' between 10pm and 11pm, leaving just a light illuminating a window.

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Preparations at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in London's Westminster Abbey ahead of a ceremony tonight which will coincide with the Lights Out initiative around the UK, which will see millions of homes and buildings turn out all but one light in memory of those who died in the First World War


A vigil service will be held at the Abbey during which members of the congregation will extinguish candles until there is just one left alight on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which will be snuffed out by the Duchess of Cornwall at 11pm

The plan is inspired by the words of then-foreign secretary Sir Edward Grey, who said just before the announcement: 'The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.'

Other buildings taking part in an hour-long lights switch-off tonight will be the Houses of Parliament, Broadcasting House in London, the Eden Project in Cornwall, St Paul's and Durham cathedrals, and Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

Also expected to join in are office buildings including Barclays in Canary Wharf and Marks & Spencer.

Prime Minister David Cameron has backed the idea and is urging as many people as possible to take part.

He said: 'Lights Out is a way for everyone to mark the First World War centenary and I would encourage people to take part and turn off their lights tomorrow at 10pm for an hour, apart from a single light or candle.

'This will be a personal gesture in remembrance of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us 100 years ago. They must never be forgotten.'

The idea is being promoted by the Royal British Legion, who brought together celebrities including Jeremy Paxman, Twiggy, David Gandy and Louis Smith for a video to encourage people to take part.


The Houses of Parliament, pictured taking part in a similar scheme in 2007, will be switching their lights off at 10pm tonight as part of an initiative to commemorate Britain entering the First World War

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2715326/Britons-urged-turn-lights-First-World-War-centenary.html#ixzz39Qk98Ys5
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I shall be turning my lights out and lighting a candle tonight, its quite weird sitting here thinking of what my Great Grandparents were going through exactly 100 years ago today.

Ditto and my grandparents as children.

We hope to be doing likewise.

What a lovely idea. Thanks for letting us know HM.

I did it here at UK time and will do it again tonight my time.

My great-grandfather was in the US Navy during WW1 and my great great uncle was killed at the Somme.

We Will Remember Them x

Cass wrote:I did it here at UK time and will do it again tonight my time.

My great-grandfather was in the US Navy during WW1 and my great great uncle was killed at the Somme.

We Will Remember Them x

Good for you Cass. My mum, dad & one of my grandmas took part and it was really quite moving. We Will Remember Them Indeed.

lovedust wrote:

Cass wrote:I did it here at UK time and will do it again tonight my time.

My great-grandfather was in the US Navy during WW1 and my great great uncle was killed at the Somme.

We Will Remember Them x

Good for you Cass. My mum, dad & one of my grandmas took part and it was really quite moving. We Will Remember Them Indeed.

xx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH3-Gt7mgyM

Turned lights and watched the service from Westmister Abbey.................

Heart tugging.

Very thought provoking. Kept trying to imagine how my grandparents felt 100 years ago today. They were all young teenagers .....................................

The readings were spinechilling.

What two generations went through their parents as well with such suffering and loss and the hours and hours spent in dangerous factories and mill shops if not on the front.

Brave brave people all of them. The majority suffering in silence if they returned. Wow.

Stop Gaza now !!!!!!