Commemorate the 100th anniversary of WWI

Today, the 4th August is the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I. At 11:00pm on the 4th August 1914, Great Britain declared war with Germany, and life would never be the same again for the millions of people affected by the Great War.

Kitchener-leete by Alfred Leete; Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

There are celebrations and commemorations taking place across the country to mark the start of this historical event. Over 6 million British men were mobilised during the fighting, and sadly over 700,000 of them would not return; over 40,000 of those were Welshmen who had bravely signed up to fight for their King and country.

World War I was a dark period in our history and one that changed the shape of Wales and the people who lived and worked here. One of the most famous war poets Hedd Wyn (which literally translates as White Peace) was born just a stone’s throw from the Oakeley Arms. His beautifully written verses about war, fighting and human suffering touched the hearts of many and he became a national hero after he was killed during the Battle of Passchendaele in Northern Belgium at just 30 years old.

One national event to commemorate the beginning of the war is the Lights Out for WWI event. People across the country are being asked to switch their lights out between the hours of 10pm and 11pm to remember those that gave their lives, and those that suffered, during the war. Local authorities, government buildings and businesses will also take part.

The Lights Out for WWI event is inspired by the words of the then Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey. In a rousing speech, he declared that “The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our life-time.”

So if you’d like to commemorate the beginning of WWI, and all those who lost their lives and suffered pain and anguish, why not join in the Lights Out for WWI event tonight?

Rhyfel

Gwae fi fy myw mewn oes mor ddreng,

A Duw ar drai ar orwel pell;

O’i ôl mae dyn, yn deyrn a gwreng,
Yn codi ei awdurdod hell.

Pan deimlodd fyned ymaith Dduw
Cyfododd gledd i ladd ei frawd;
Mae sw^n yr ymladd ar ein clyw,
A’i gysgod ar fythynnod tlawd.

Mae’r hen delynau genid gynt
Yng nghrog ar gangau’r helyg draw,
A gwaedd y bechgyn lond y gwynt,
A’u gwaed yn gymyg efo’r glaw.

Gan Hedd Wyn