A SOLEMN hush was broken only by unaccompanied hymns at Monmouth Castle's cenotaph on Monday evening (4th August), as those present paused to remember lives lost during the First World War. Military personnel, MPs, members of the town council and members of the public met at 10pm to mark the moment that Great Britain declared war on Germany. Candles were lit at Monmouth Castle and St James' Square cenotaphs and as part of the Royal British Legion's (RBL) Lights Out campaign in which households across the UK were encouraged to turn lights off in favour of candles between the hours of 10pm and 11pm. Padre Leigh Richardson from The Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) andChairman of Monmouth RBL, Councillor Gerry Bright, led the service which saw those present reflecting in prayer for the dead with poetry, hymns and both the Welsh and British national anthems. A minute's silence marked the moment that Britain joined a war that would go on to kill around 16 million people, 40,000 of them Welsh soldiers. The inspiration for the RBL Lights Out campaign came from a famous remark made on the eve of the outbreak of war by the then Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey. He said: "The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our life-time." The official statement from that time was recorded in the Beacon, printed on 7th August, 1914. It said: "Owing to the summary rejection by the German Government of the request made by His Majesty's Government that the neutrality of Belgium would be respected, His Majesty's ambassador in Berlin has received his passport, and His Majesty's Government has declared to the German Government that a state of war now exists between Great Britain and Germany as from 11pm on August 4th". On Monday, a morning commemorative service was also held at 11am in St Mary's Church. Attended by Monmouth's mayor, Jane Gunter, her consort, Paul Macer-Wright and the macebearers, John Blake and Mike Brown, prayers were given and blessings were solemnly made in memory of the many who gave their lives. To end the service, the Russian Kontakion of the departed was sung, followed by a blessing given by the Rev David McGladdery, Vicar and Area Dean of Monmouth. An evening Lights Out service was also held in Chepstow as RBL chairman Ken Davies led a service at St Mary's church at 9pm. Attending the service and assisting Mr Davies with the readings by candlelight were members of the RBL and the Town Mayor Cllr Ned Heywood MBE with Deputy Town Mayor Cllr Dale Rooke. Monmouth's service welcomed several local residents, among them 91-year-old Ron Roberts, who served his military career with the Royal Air Force. Mr Roberts is pictured wearing both his own medals, and those of his half brother William Roberts, after the latter became one of the first Monmothians to be killed during the war, aged 18. "At 1am on 14th August, he was given the orders to find out whether the Germans or the Belgians held the bridge over the local canal," said Ron. "Someone had the idea that if they galloped up to the bridge and they were fired upon, they were probably German. He was shot and killed in this exercise, and has no known grave." The troops of The Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) left for battle as soon as the King's announcement was made. Cllr Bright said on Monday: "The very best of the town and county's young men boarded the train, many never to return to live in the beauty of our county." The Beacon reported at the time: "On Tuesday the Royal proclamation embodying the Territorial Force caused intense excitement, and the men had to report themselves at once. "On Wednesday the men assembled at the Drill Hall, and soon after 5pm, headed by the band of the RMRE (SR) marched to Troy Station where they were given a hearty send off. "The men were in full marching order, and each carried 10 rounds of ball cartridge. "Farewells were said and as the train left the station, the band played 'Auld Lang Syne', to the accompaniment of vociferous cheering."

For more pictures visit the Monmouthshire Beacon and Chepstow Beacon's blog: monbeacon.wordpress.com/