Britain plans WWI commemoration - Independent Online

REUTERS

British Prime Minister David Cameron. Photo: Toby Melville

London - Britain will mark the centenary of the outbreak of World War I in 2014 with a "truly national commemoration" to remember the extraordinary sacrifice of the 16 million people who died in the conflict, Prime Minister David Cameron said Thursday.

Cameron announced that the government would provide 50 million pounds (80 million dollars) towards the commemorations, which would be complemented by contributions from charities, the national lottery and private, corporate and social donations.

"This was the extraordinary sacrifice of a generation. It was a sacrifice they made for us, and it is right that we should remember them," said Cameron in a speech at the Imperial War Museum in London.

"There is something about the First World War that makes it a fundamental part of our national consciousness. Put simply, this matters - not just in our heads, but in our hearts."

A major revamp of the Imperial War Museum and an educational programme for young people are key elements of the commemoration project, which will see events across the nation in the summer of 2014.

They commemorations would match the scale of the nationwide celebrations this summer to mark the 60th throne anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II, said Cameron.

The scale of the conflict, which started on July 28, 1914, and ended on November 11, 1918, outstripped that of any other in history, said Cameron, and the commemorations were designed to remember the impact of World War I on "Britain and the world."

Cameron said an advisory board would be set up to oversee the commemorations. It would include a number of historians, military men and writers, including Sebastian Faulks, the author of Birdsong, the bestselling World War I novel.

A recent opinion poll showed that 69 per cent of Britons would like next year's Remembrance Day, which falls in November, to be a "once-in-a-generation moment and opportunity to mark the nation's shared history."

It has even been suggested that shops should be closed, sports games cancelled and periods of silence be held on the day.

According to the poll, by independent think tank British Future, 83 per cent of Britons believe that church bells should be rung after a period of silence, while 87 per cent think that flags should fly at half mast.

"The centenary will also provide the foundations upon which to build an enduring cultural and educational legacy to put young people front and centre in our commemoration and to ensure that the sacrifice and service of 100 years ago is still remembered in 100 years time," said Cameron. - Sapa-dpa