FROM all over the continent came fresh news of fighting, as the pages of the Daily Echo 100 years ago today were filled with the latest telegrams from the various European frontiers that had now become the theatre of war.

The Germans were on their way through Belgium, with their immediate objective reported as being the city of Liege, while in the Mediterranean fighting was taking place between French and German ships of war, as the result of which two armoured German cruisers were said to have been captured, and another – the Panther – had been sunk.

As well as reports of fighting near the German-Russian frontier, there was also reports of heavy cannon fire in the North Sea, which was heard at Margate and at Dover.

  • ANOTHER of the Daily Echo’s reports 100 years ago today offered a rather sobering thought for any readers who had, as yet, failed to fully grasp the gravity of the situation facing Southampton and the rest of the nation.

With the sailing of the American liner Philadelphia from Southampton to America today, the Echo report delivered the solemn news that she would most probably “be the last liner flying any flag other than the White Ensign to leave Southampton for some time”, as the port would assume a vital role in the war for the coming weeks.

Americans desperate for a passage back to the United States booked up on the ship weeks in advance, with the large number of bookings necessitating the splitting up of cabins for the accommodation of three or four times the number of passengers that boarded the liner to make the crossing.

Wealthy Americans who had been unable to secure a place on other vessels had also descended on Southampton Docks offering untold sums of paper money on the off-chance they might even secure a small corner in steerage that would see them make it back home.

Apart from the dense pack upon the decks, the extra bustle playing outside the sheds on the quayside, and the gravity of demeanour on the part of everyone, the scene did not differ greatly from the normal departures at Southampton.

Despite the obvious feeling of anxiety amongst those wanting to board the ship, the struggle for places was wholly orderly, with people waiting patiently for their chance to gain access to the Philadelphia.

Aboard the liner there was very little excitement, but more a sense of relief, as the gangways were hauled up and the liner began to move away.

The unfurling of a Stars and Stripes was met by a few stilted cheers, as the usual excitement of departure was limited to a few waved handkerchiefs that were met by the sombre eyes of those that were left behind on the quayside.

  • THERE are few people still alive who lived through the terrible years of the First World War. Yet every family has its own memories, stories of fathers, grandfathers, brothers and other relatives serving at the front, or coping with life back home waiting for news of loved ones.

Those memories have been handed down through the generations, and we want to retell them through the columns of the Daily Echo and our website dailyecho.co.uk.

We want you to get in touch with us and tell us your family memories of the First World War years. You may have family photographs, medals, letters from the front or letters sent from home.

If you want to help us build a picture of what times were like 100 years ago for the people of Hampshire, then please send items to David Brine, Features Editor, Southern Daily Echo, Newspaper House, Test Lane, Redbridge, Southampton, SO16 9JX, or email newsdesk@dailyecho.co.uk.