The lights went out across Wandsworth to mark the centenary of World War One.

Wandsworth Council took part in the Lights Out initiative on Monday, August 4, between 10-11pm.

Council workers turned off all the lights in the town hall and left one lamp burning at the entrance as a mark of respect for the fallen.

The event marks the poignant words of the foreign secretary Sir Edward Grey who remarked "The lamps are going out all over Europe. We shall not see them lit again in our time".


Prayers were said at Roehampton University’s Southlands College chapel.

Reverend David Innes led the prayers in memory of those who died in the war to end all wars.

Vice-chancellor Professor Paul O’Prey also represented the University at a vigil in Westminster Abbey, in the presence of the Duchess of Cornwall, representing the Queen.


Mayor of Wandsworth, Councillor Stuart Thom, attended a WW1 ceremony on Monday.

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Crowds gathered in Kingston marketplace to mark the event which featured visiting dignitaries.


A sculpture will provide a moving tribute to soldiers lost in 1914-18 war at the Putney Exchange.

The shopping centre sculpture was created by artist Mark Humphrey in support of the Royal British Legion.

From Monday, July 28, passers-by can dedicate and insert a poppy into the sculpture, which can hold a total of 3,000.


The graves of First World War Victoria Cross heroes will be restored after £100,000 of funding was agreed.

The graves of men across the country will be cleaned and replaced, including that of Corporal Edward Foster, East Surrey Regiment, who is buried in Streatham Cemetery in Tooting.

During an attack in Villers-Plouich, Nord, France, on April 24, 1917, their advance was held up by two machine-guns covered in wire entanglements.

Corporal Foster, who was in charge of two Lewis guns, entered the trench and engaged in fire.
One of his Lewis guns was lost but he rushed forward, bombed the enemy and recovered it.

He then used both guns to kill the enemy gun team and capture their weapons.

He was a dustman for Wandsworth Council and in recognition of his gallantry the council promoted him to Dusting Inspector which he is reported to have done for 26 years.


Battersea Park’s First World War memorial features in an English Heritage exhibition at the iconic Wellington Arch.

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The Memorial, to the 24th East Surrey Division in Battersea Park, commemorates over 10,000 men with a sculpture of ordinary infantry men by war artist Eric Kennington.

Thousands of war memorials were erected after the First World War representing the greatest wave of grief and remembrance ever seen. 


A new project, giving children a bird’s eye view of the first and second world wars, has been launched after a trial at a Putney school.

Secret Messages, is offering school children across the capital an opportunity to learn about the vital and dangerous work that carrier pigeons undertook during the world wars.

It was launched after successful pilot scheme at Ashcroft Technology Academy. For more information, visit secretmessages.org.uk.


How are you marking the centenary? Send your stories and photographs to ssleigh@london.newsquest.co.uk