A single candle left burning at No 10 to mark WWI

 Wikimedia

Prime Minister David Cameron was among many across Britain who commemorated the centenary of the First World War by switching off the lights at Downing Street this evening.

A single candle was left burning on the doorstep of Number 10 as a symbol of remembrance of those who died in the war.

LIGHTS OUT – One Million Candles to Remember, was a national project initiated by The Royal British Legion, encouraging people around the country to switch off all household lights and light a single candle between 10 and 11pm.

The project was inspired by the words of Sir Edward Grey, then British foreign secretary, on the eve of war. He said: "The lights are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lighted again in our lifetime."

Westminster Abbey joined in the commemorations by holding a vigil, which included music, scripture and contemporary readings. Towards the end of the vigil, the Abbey moved from light to darkness, leaving a single candle burning by the grave of the unknown warrior, until that too was extinguished at 11pm.

related articles
1,000 poppies to bloom in remembrance of World War One

1,000 poppies to bloom in remembrance of World War One

Poppies planted at Archbishop of York\'s residence in memory of World War One fallen
Poppies planted at Archbishop of York's residence in memory of World War One fallen

Poppies planted at Archbishop of York's residence in memory of World War One fallen

\'They died that we might live\': York Minster remembers city\'s World War One fallen
'They died that we might live': York Minster remembers city's World War One fallen

'They died that we might live': York Minster remembers city's World War One fallen

Edith Cavell to feature on Royal Mint\'s new £5 coin
Edith Cavell to feature on Royal Mint's new £5 coin

Edith Cavell to feature on Royal Mint's new £5 coin

How churches responded to the outbreak of war
How churches responded to the outbreak of war

How churches responded to the outbreak of war

Remembering the Great War: Seven lessons we must learn 100 years on
Remembering the Great War: Seven lessons we must learn 100 years on

Remembering the Great War: Seven lessons we must learn 100 years on

News
Suspended Christian nurse accuses nursing body of 'discrimination'
Suspended Christian nurse accuses nursing body of 'discrimination'

A Christian nurse suspended since April after refusing to use a transgender patient's preferred pronouns has accused the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) of "discrimination". 

Church in Wales 'road map' for same-sex blessings is 'distressing'
Church in Wales 'road map' for same-sex blessings is 'distressing'

Orthodox Anglicans have accused bishops in the Church in Wales of "misleading" statements as it moves towards making same-sex blessings permanent. 

Tony Wales: a man with an unrivalled knowledge of the worldwide publishing
Tony Wales: a man with an unrivalled knowledge of the worldwide publishing

Tony Wales, who passed away on 28 October, was co-founder of Lion Publishing with David and Pat Alexander. Julia Cameron pays tribute. 

Zelensky accused of 'crime against humanity' in treatment of Moscow-aligned Orthodox Church
Zelensky accused of 'crime against humanity' in treatment of Moscow-aligned Orthodox Church

Real life is very rarely about the "goodies" and the "baddies".