Darkness will fall as Lisburn remembers the outbreak of war

The Royal British Legion are holding a candlelight vigil at the city’s war memorial at 10.30pm when everyone is invited to bring a candle and support the ‘Lights Out’ campaign.

‘Lights Out’, a UK-wide event, encourages people to turn out their lights for one hour from 10pm until 11pm on Monday August 4, leaving only a single candle burning, as a time of reflection.

The campaign remembers the words of Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary, August 1914, who, at the outbreak of war, said: “The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.”

The Royal British Legion is encouraging people to purchase candles for the event from Marks and Spencers at Sprucefield, who are supporting the Lights Out campaign by donating money from the sale of candles to the Royal British Legion.

A commemoration will also be held in Hillsborough on Monday (August 4) at 7.30pm.

The Royal British Legion Women’s Section in Hillsborough has organised a remembrance service at the village war memorial.

The event, which will include music provided by Garvey Silver Band, will be attended by families of those from the Hillsborough area who were killed during the war.

Young people from the village will read a ‘Roll of Honour’, remembering the 119 killed in battle.

A wreath will be laid on behalf of the community and war poetry will be read during the service.

The Hillsborough commemoration will also incorporate the ‘Lights Out’ campaign. Although the service is being held earlier in the evening, organisers will ensure that candles remain lit during the hour of reflection from 10pm.

Hillsborough Old Guard, the village’s historical and cultural society, have been hanging banners in the village to remember the men who died during the 1914-1918 conflict.

The banners have been sponsored by the families of the men killed and serve as a poignant reminder of just how many from one small community lost their lives in the Great War.

Next week the Star will also be remembering the men of Lisburn who gave their lives for our freedom. We will be producing a special feature to remember Lisburn at the outbreak of the First World War.