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DMU commemorated the 100th anniversary of World War I yesterday with a moving Remembrance Day service.

At 11am yesterday morning, Magazine Square fell silent to remember those who have lost their lives fighting for their country.

Dominic Shellard, De Montfort University’s Vice-Chancellor, said: “It’s a hugely important day and it means a huge amount because this Armistice Day is the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War but it also falls as an opportunity to remember those members of the university who belonged to what was then the Leicester Municipal Technical and Art School.

“We know of 20 of those who went to that college and gave their lives to the Great War, we think there are many more we just don’t have them recorded in our archives.”

A plaque was unveiled yesterday outside Hawthorn building to honour those left there in 1914 to fight in the War and sadly never returned.

Professor Shellard added: “We think it’s a very important thing to do to commemorate their sacrifice to their country and I think you can see by the crowds of people who came out: hundreds of students and staff, just how much it means to our community to have the opportunity to thank those who have given their lives on the behalf of our country.”

The last post was played and a crowd of staff and students attended the event to pay tribute with two minutes silence.

First year Mechatronics student, David Pilsworth was involved in yesterday’s service.

He said: “Remembrance on the centenary was mainly for my grandfathers, since my great grandfather was a boy soldier in the first world war and my grandfather who passed away in 2011 was one of the royal engineers in the second world war so being a part of the centenary event was very honouring and very moving to say the least.

“I am incredibly proud that the university does this event, mainly because hundreds left Hawthorn building and many didn’t return.”

The university is running more events this week to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I.

To find out more about DMU’s remembrance events, visit dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/hot-topics/october-2014/dmu-to-commemorate-100th-anniversary-of-world-war-i.aspx.