A CENTURY after the world was plunged into the horror of the Great War, Dorset residents remembered those who fought in the conflict.

In Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, hundreds turned out to pay their respects with the first-ever national Lights Out event on Monday night.

  • See pictures from events in Bournemouth and Poole here

After dark fell, members of the public and councillors gathered at war memorials to light a single candle for a shared moment of reflection.

From 10pm to 11pm, attendees heard readings, music and poetry in Bournemouth, while in Poole Park, the memorial was illuminated with light.

In the Civic Centre, the lights were turned off at 10pm, although a single lantern shone from the window of the mayor’s office.

Christchurch residents gathered in Saxon Square from 8pm until 10pm for a programme of music, poetry and art in remembrance of the war.

The event was inspired by a famous remark made on the eve of the outbreak of war by the then Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey: “The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.”

At the Bournemouth commemoration, dignitaries from the town – including the Mayor, Councillor Chris Mayne, Chaplain Roger Marley and President of the Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation Ivor Weintroub – gave readings.

Majid Yasin, Imam and Director of the Bournemouth Islamic Centre and Central Mosque, also read from the Quran in Arabic.

Speaking at the close of the evening, Cllr Mayne said: “So many people went into the unknown, many never to return.

“We must never forget.”

Lights at thousands of buildings, landmarks and institutions across the UK were dimmed during the evening, including Blackpool Illuminations, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the Tate and more.

In Wimborne, more than 300 people gathered at the Minster Green to pay their respects.

MP Annette Brooke and town and district councillors joined members of the Royal British Legion and residents of the town to remember the 164 Wimborne men who lost their lives during the conflict.