Summary

  • Monday 4 August 2014 marked the 100th anniversary of the start of Britain's involvement in WW1

  • About 17m soldiers and civilians worldwide were killed between 1914 and 1918

  • Royal Family members and world leaders attended commemorative events in the UK and elsewhere

  • An international ceremony of reconciliation was held outside the Belgian city of Mons

  • The day's events ended with a candle-lit vigil at Westminster Abbey and "lights out" events around the UK

  1. Postpublished at 19:37 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    "Every war is cruel but this war was unlike any other with its unspeakable carnage, unbearable loss and almost unbelievable bravery", Mr Cameron says.

  2. Postpublished at 19:36 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    David Cameron

    David Cameron is now speaking.

  3. Postpublished at 19:34 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    Dan Snow

    Opening the ceremony, historian Dan Snow says: "This war had an impact like no other. The emotional shock was felt in all corners of the globe".

  4. Postpublished at 19:30 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    Duchess of Cambridge

    The Duchess of Cambridge was handed a bouquet by two children before the guests took their seats for the ceremony at St Symphorien cemetery.

  5. Postpublished at 19:30 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    Dean John Mann

    Dean John Mann, who is involved in the commemoration service at St Ann's Cathedral in Belfast tonight, says: "One of the things we're very conscious of is how easy it is for countries to move in to a war situation and how difficult it is to move out of that."

  6. Postpublished at 19:22 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    News from 1914
    The world on the brink of war

    Gareth Malone plays WW1 songs
    Image caption,

    Gareth Malone plays WW1 songs

    Popular songs in WW1

    Popular songs were used to boost soldiers' morale and keep up spirits at home. Songs such as 'We Don't Want to Lose You, but We Think You Ought to Go' proved popular in music halls in the early months of the war, as did anti-German songs like 'When Belgium Put the Kybosh on the Kaiser'. Meanwhile 'Pack up Your Troubles' was sung both at home and on the front line.

  7. Postpublished at 19:22 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    Author Sebastian Faulks, who will be reading from his novel Birdsong in Westminster Abbey later, told the BBC World War One "has really come to the front of people's imagination" in the past year.

  8. Get involvedpublished at 19:19 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    David Bright emails: My grandfather Isaac Thomas Pritchard of the 2nd South Lancs Regiment had been in the Army for 20 years when WW1 started. He was awarded the 'Medaille Millitaire' during the Battle of Mons and was the first soldier from the 2nd South Lancs to be awarded this medal. He was in the front line through all the major battles until he received a compassionate discharge in July 1917 after my grandmother died, leaving six children.

    Isaac Thomas Pritchard of the 2nd South Lancs.Image source, Isaac Thomas Pritchard
  9. Postpublished at 19:18 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    Historian Dr Eamon Phoenix tells BBC Northern Ireland: "Something like 200,000 Irishmen joined up and at least 40,000 died... Some did so for patriotic reasons and some because of poverty... Really, you had Ireland very much committed to Britain's war effort."

  10. Postpublished at 19:16 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo has arrived at the Mons ceremony, as has German President Joachim Gauck.

  11. Postpublished at 19:10 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    Prime Minister David Cameron is waiting with the royals and Culture Secretary Sajid Javid at St Symphorien cemetery ahead of this evening's ceremony.

    Prince William, Prince Harry, David Cameron and the Duchess of Cambridge
  12. Get involvedpublished at 19:03 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    David Paul Walker emails: My grandfather Jimmy Walker told lots of tales and stories of life in the trenches.

    Jimmy Walker during WW1Image source, David Paul Walker
  13. Postpublished at 19:01 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    News from 1914
    The world on the brink of war

    "The considerable number of clerks, waiters, etc. who hail from France, Germany, Belgium, etc. are hastening away to join their respective armies." Manchester Evening News

    French soldiers travel to the FrontImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    French soldiers travel to the Front

    A scramble across borders

    In the summer of 1914, as peace turned into war, many Europeans in Britain found themselves facing important questions. As the countries of France, Belgium and Germany mobilised their forces, many foreign workers in Britain hastened back to join their nations' armies.

  14. Postpublished at 19:00 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    Westminster AbbeyImage source, ALAMY

    A large security operation is under way at Westminster Abbey ahead of tonight's service, says BBC correspondent Tom Bayly, who has sent us this picture. Members of the public are being cleared from the front of the Abbey.

  15. Get involvedpublished at 18:51 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    St Symphorien Military Cenetery, Belgium

    @bbcww1 tweets:, external The first & last British soldiers to die in #WW1 are buried at St Symphorien #Remember

  16. Postpublished at 18:49 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince HarryImage source, Reuters

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry greeted crowds from the balcony of Mons town hall ahead of this evening's ceremony.

  17. Postpublished at 18:47 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    The Queen attends a service of commemoration at Crathie Kirk ChurchImage source, Ian Gavan/Getty

    The Queen, who is staying at Balmoral, attends a service of commemoration at Crathie church in Aberdeenshire.

  18. Postpublished at 18:39 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    German President Joachim Gauck (R) and Belgian King Philippe (L) shake handsImage source, MAURIZIO GAMBARINI

    A handshake between German President Joachim Gauck (right) and Belgium's King Philippe after they unveiled a commemorative plaque at the university in Leuven, Belgium.

  19. Get involvedpublished at 18:30 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    Remembrance service in Bere Regis ChruchImage source, Ian Venham

    Ian Ventham emails: A moving service attended by nearly 200 parishioners was held yesterday evening at Bere Regis parish church. The service was preceded by a peal of five of the six half-muffled bells, as the sixth bell 'Pax' was installed as a memorial after the war. During the service, Leading Seaman Luke Brady carried the Book of Names of the war dead to be received at the altar. The service ended with 28 young people from the village carrying lighted candles to the War Memorial in memory of the 28 war dead from the village, as a piper played a lament and a single bell tolled.

  20. Postpublished at 18:05 British Summer Time 4 August 2014

    News from 1914
    The world on the brink of war

    St Symphorien Military Cemetery in Belgium
    Image caption,

    St Symphorien Military Cemetery in Belgium

    St Symphorien Military Cemetery

    The cemetery was set up by the German Army in August 1914 to bury the British and German soldiers who lost their lives at the Battle of Mons.

    The cemetery has special significance because it is the final resting place of the first and last British soldiers to be killed in World War One.