Britain is to mark the centenary of the Great War with a programme of cultural events, candlelit vigils and a service of commemoration attended by Commonwealth leaders, it has been announced.
Streets could be renamed as part of commemorative events starting next year which include a programme allowing two pupils and one teacher from every state-funded secondary school in England to visit the battlefields of the Western Front.
Unveiling the programme in London, Culture Secretary Maria Miller said: “Next year marks the centenary of events which did more than any other to shape the world in which we live today. The Great War was really a turning point in the history of not only this country but the world.
“Every day of the conflict saw extra-ordinary acts of courage, ingenuity and valour, both on the battlefield and also on the home front.
“Given the scale of the conflict, it will not be difficult for every family in every village and every town up and down our country and indeed across the Commonwealth to be able to find their own story to tell.”
The centenary of Britain’s entry into the war will be marked on August 4 next year with a service of commemoration at Glasgow Cathedral for Commonwealth leaders on the day after the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.
On the same day a ceremony with a theme of reconciliation will be held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission St Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons, Belgium, where men believed to be the first and last Commonwealth casualties of the war are buried.
A candlelit vigil will be held at Westminster Abbey at the end of the day with the last candle extinguished at 11pm the moment war was declared.