ALMOST 100 years ago to the day, The South Bucks Free Press (as it was known) published an editorial warning the outbreak of war could spread ‘disaster far and wide’.

In the editorial piece on Friday, August 7, 1914, the SBFP said: “Wednesday last was a fateful day in the history of the British Empire.

“The Government, after the most assiduous efforts towards the preservation of peace, has been compelled to take action to maintain by force of arms obligations by which the nation is bound, and our country is now one of the parties in a gigantic struggle such as the world have never seen.

“The events of the near future may change the map of Europe; they may alter dynasties and bring crowns clattering to the ground; they are certain to produce a holocaust of slaughter and to spread disaster far and wide.”

Share your family memories of the First World War and continue the commemorations by emailing bfpnews@london.newsquest.co.uk