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.

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