On this day in 1914...

dozens of German divisions were pouring across the Belgian border and the news was being telegraphed to government departments across Europe. London was in shock and telegrams were being issued from the War Office to army and naval commanders across the United Kingdom and the Empire - Britain was at war with Germany and Austria-Hungary for their violation of Belgian neutrality.

All over the United Kingdom, families were carrying on with their daily life - it would take many days for the news to reach into every corner - there were no mobile telephones or internet - the news travelled mostly by word of mouth. Others were bringing in the harvest and were ging to do nothing until that was complete.

German troops marching through Liege, August 1914

As orders were being frantically despatached to divsions that were part of the Britsh Expeditionary Force - which was where the very best troops and units were based - others went to Territorial and Yeomanry units calling for their enlisted men to turn up and get into their uniforms hanging in their wardrobes. Around the country families were on summer holiday, people were enjoying the sun, sand and Punch & Judy Shows oblivious to a war that was under way all around them. The 5th August was the first real day of the war. In a few day's time, the first volunteers would begin to arrive at train stations having volunteered to fight the Germans and they said goodbye to their jobs, families and friends - keen to get there before the war was over by Christmas.

Volunteers lined up on the town train station from my birthplace of Attleborough in Norfolk, England on 11th August, 1914 ready to travel to Norwich to enlist into The Norfolk Regiment. My great uncle second from right in the front row having just left his farm and wife behind.