It would become known as the Great War, or the “war to end all wars”. Four years of bitter conflict from August 1914 to November 1918 which spread to involve more than 80% of the world, causing 37m casualties, military and civilian, and 16m deaths.

Church bells tolled and officials laid wreaths across Europe on Armistice Day to pay tribute to the millions of soldiers killed during World War I.

The anniversary of the ending of World War One is being marked around the globe today.