LIGHTS went out across south Buckinghamshire last night as residents remembered those who fell in the First World War.

Monday, August 4 marked the 100th anniversary of the day Britain declared war on Germany and the First World War began.

Many different organisations and individuals in the Wycombe District and beyond joined in the national lights out commemoration last night by marking the moment, by displaying a symbolic single light between 10 and 11pm.

At the war memorial at All Saints Church in High Wycombe at 10pm the Last Post was played, followed by a silent progression into church to light a candle followed by some poems and readings for reflection.

The church tower was illuminated in red and the surrounding street lights were manually turned off.

Reverend Hugh Ellis said just over 80 people attended and it was very moving.

He said: “It was commemorative and reflective. It was a service with some stories from the First World War.”

Photographs from the SWOP archive were shown on a screen during the service.

Eden Shopping Centre, High Wycombe BidCo, WDC offices, The Swan Theatre and Wycombe Museum all switched lights off to mark the event.

A single maroon was fired at noon earlier to mark the moment when wreaths were laid on war memorials and community sites around the district.

Local dignitaries joined with organisations to honour those fallen and at High Wycombe cemetery, 13 wreaths were laid on graves.

Marlow remembered the solemn occasion with a candlelit vigil at the war memorial on the Causeway, where around 400 people gathered to pay their respects.

Mayor Suxanne Brown said she felt honoured to represent the town at such a momentous occasion, and praised Marlovians for their huge effort to support the cause.

In Chesham last night at 8.15pm there was a candle-lit parade.

About 100 people commemorated the start of the First World War in Flackwell Heath last night.

Villagers were led to the war memorial after a service by Reverend Chris Bull in the Royal British Legion, in Common Road.

Residents were then invited to leave a candle next to the memorial as a mark of respect.

About 50 people attended a service at St John's Church in Lacey Green at midday.

A wreath was laid in the church by former RAF serviceman, Douglas Tilbury.

Parish councillors also laid wreaths at war memorials in Loosley Row, Speen and at the garden of rest in Lacey Green.

Villagers came together at the Cookham war memorial yesterday afternoon to hear stories about local men who lost their lives during the Great War.

The event was organised by the Stanley Spencer Gallery, where Spencer’s painting Unveiling of Cookham War Memorial is currently on show.

Extracts from Sydney’s letters home from the front were read by Jim Rosenthal, who swapped his TV Sports Presenters role for one of military historian for the day and as his wife Chrissy read the letters of condolence.