People across Britain gathered on Monday to mark the point 100 years after the First World War broke out across Europe.
Large numbers turned out to see Enfield’s commemoration of the outbreak of World War One
Hundreds of thousands of people across the country also switched off their lights at 11pm to leave one light burning as a symbol of hope in darkness, in a reference to then-foreign secretary Sir Edward Grey’s famous remark that the “lamps are going out all over Europe”.
Prime Minister David Cameron said the war “profoundly changed our world”.
Council leader Doug Taylor and Mayor Ali Bakır led Enfield’s commemoration
In an address, Mr Cameron said: “Every war is cruel. But this war was unlike any other. The unspeakable carnage, the unbearable loss, the almost unbelievable bravery.”
ENFIELD’S COMMEMORATION
The anniversary was also marked in Enfield in a sombre ceremony at Broomfield Park in Palmers Green, led by Enfield mayor Ali Bakır, council leader Doug Tayler and cabinet member Yasemin Brett.
In his speech, Cllr Taylor said: “It is only right and proper that we remember the start of this awful conflict, which brought industrial warfare to the world for the first time and resulted in the slaughter of millions of people around the globe.
“It is important to remember the terrible events which were sparked on August 4, 1914 so we can learn from the mistakes of history and try to prevent them from ever happening again.
“This event is an opportunity to remember the people who made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in the service to their country during the four years of conflict but also to reiterate our commitment to our European friends in Courbevoie and Gladbeck.”
Mr Bakır then unveiled a visitor information board prepared for the centenary years by the Friends of Broomfield Park.
PM: WE WILL NEVER FORGET
Cameron said in his address: “Its legacy still affects us today – good and bad.
Enfield cabinet member Yasemin Brett also spoke
“Too often it has been dismissed as a pointless war, fought by people who didn’t know why they were fighting.
“But that is wrong. These men signed up to prevent the domination of a continent, to preserve the principles of freedom and sovereignty that we cherish today.”
He added: “We should never fail to cherish the peace between these nations and never underestimate the patient work it has taken to build that peace.
“So, 100 years on, it is right that collectively we stop, we pause; and we re-pledge this for the next 100 years.
“We will never forget. We will always remember them.”
