All Lights Out WW1 vigil at St John's

Communities across the Island have taken part in a symbolic All Lights Out vigil to mark the outbreak of World War One. 

At St John's, around 80 people gathered around the national war memorial to join a Europe-wide lights switch-off at 10pm, in memory of those who lost their lives in the conflict.

A similar vigil was held on Douglas Head, while in homes around the Island residents lit candles in personal acts of remembrance. 

The St John's vigil was a mix of formal and personal. Names of the first world war dead inscribed on the war memorial were read, interspersed with poetry, music, personal reflections and family stories.

The ceremony was attended by President of Tynwald Clare Christian who spoke the familiar exhortation '..they shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old ..' before the sounding of the Last Post.

Organsier Maxine Callow says the event highlights the dramatic change the Island faced when 80 per cent of the eligible male population joined the war effort: