On this day 100 years ago the First World War began in which 16 million people were killed.

It all seems like just numbers now but their lives were as important to each of them as yours to you and mine to me.  

These were mostly young men who mostly wanted to be at home with their families and not lying dead in a ditch. For each that died there were left grieving mothers, fathers, wives and children: lives shattered forever.

When you look at someone richer than you and envy them, remember to look at people whose lives were far worse than yours and who had no choice.

You are lucky to have life – be sure to make the very most of it!