96 Years ago

[Old Tom]

This seems as good a spot as any, provoked by a small note in today's newspaper to recall a few of the first events.I was reminded that today was the anniversary of Germany’s declaration of war on France. They declared war on Belgium the day after and the UK declared war on Germany that same day.

May I also recall a few of the events before the BEF opened fire. The Arch Duke was assassinated on the 28th June, on 27th July the British Home Fleet did not disperse after an exercise, on the 28th Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. On the 1st of August Germany, France and Belgium mobilised, on the 2nd Germany invaded Poland, France and Luxembourg. On the 4th August Britain declared war on Germany and ordered mobilisation and on the 6th the Government decided to send I and II Corps, less 4 and 6 Divisions, to France. Cavalry patrols sighted the Germans on 21st August.

Old Tom