August 4 2014 marked one hundred years since Britain declared war on Germany.
This was the beginning of what was to become know as the First World War, the ‘war to end all wars’. Hampshire played a critical role in the First World War, as the major embarkation point for millions of soldiers heading off to mainland Europe and further afield to join the conflict.
The Chairman of Hampshire County Council hosted Hampshire Commemorates, an exhibition in the Great Hall in Winchester, showcasing historic materials from Hampshire County Council and other partners to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the war. The free event provided a taster of some of the exhibitions and information available throughout the county.
An 18 pounder First World War field gun, on loan from the Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson, was situated outside the Great Hall, accompanied by costumed members of Ubique – Right of the Line, a living history re-enactment group. They were joined by a fully restored J Type Thornycroft lorry from the County Council’s Arts and Museums collection.
