A COMMUNITY event commemorating the beginning of the First World War is being held in aid of the Royal British Legion.

The commemoration is being held throughout Corringham on July 26, 100 years to the day after a British offer of mediation between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Serbia was rejected, leading Austria-Hungary to declare war two days later.

This triggered a chain reaction of military alliances and, by the time the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, about 10 million soldiers had been killed.

They will be remembered at an 11am service at St John’s Church, which will be followed by music from the Karis Angels Choir at Grover Walk from 11.30am and the Thurrock Golden Voices Choir at 1.30pm and 2.30pm.

For the rest of the day, between 11am and 3pm, there will be a vintage craft fair at the village hall, a Corringham Light Railway and Great War exhibition in the library and an opportunity to present war artefacts to the curator of Thurrock Heritage Museum, who will provide information and answer questions.

At Grover Walk, there will also be traditional children’s games, a historical display and a ‘make and mend stall’ where participants can learn to sew and knit, as well as refreshments available from a vintage tea room.

Between 11am and 2pm, a First World War family quiz will also be available from the Residents and Traders Association (RATA) table, with answers littered around town and participants entered into a prize draw worth £150.

For more information on the event, contact randtofcorringham@gmail.co.uk