4 August 2014
Today begins the remembrance of 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War
Here at Incontinence UK we believe that we should stop and think about the events that happened during the First World War.
But why should we remember the First World War?
By the end of the First World War there were very few people in the countries that took part who were unaffected by the war, as it reached out and touched almost everyone’s life in some way or other. The children subsequently grew up with their fathers absent or lost. Women also became involved, picking up the pieces of industry and agriculture as the men went off to fight. By 1918, they too could join the army and serve their country.
Men enlisted, or were called up, in their millions, being sent to fight in places that many had never heard of before. It was most definitely a global struggle. Life changed forever. Nothing was ever the same again. The war caused many casualties and laid waste to whole. Over 9 million soldiers died as a result of the fighting, nearly 6 million civilians died from disease or starvation and more than 21 million people were wounded.
Here at Incontinence UK we believe that the First World War should not be forgotten. We believe each generation should know and remember what happened many years ago.
The government has many celebrations planned to mark the 100th year of the First World War. There is a 4- year programme of national acts of remembrance, UK-wide cultural initiatives and educational opportunities. The opening day of the centenary on 4 August 2014 will focus on 4 events:
- A wreath-laying service at Glasgow’s Cenotaph following the special service for Commonwealth leaders at Glasgow Cathedral
- An event at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission St Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons, Belgium – which has an equal number of British and German soldiers, and is where the first and last Commonwealth casualties of the war are believed to be buried
- A candlelit vigil of prayer and penitence at Westminster Abbey finishing at 11pm – the moment war was declared
- LightsOut by turning off your lights from 10pm to 11pm, leaving on a single light or candle for a shared moment of reflection
