SILENCE fell on Whitstone at a ceremony commemorating the centenary of the first world war on Saturday, when the village's first memorial was dedicated to those who died. The 5ft memorial, made of Cornish granite, was installed near the corner of Oak Lane some months after the project began. Residents, parish and county councillors and members from the Royal British Legion and Royal Naval Association gathered, exactly 100 years after King George V had said it was 'absolutely essential' Britain go to war, to remember those from the community who were among nine million soldiers who died in the Great War. A lamp was lit and carried by Shaun Cowling from Whitstone Primary School before the procession made its way from the village hall to memorial. Sgt Matthew Cowling from Bude Army Cadets carried the Whitstone Processional Cross, which was dedicated in 1920 to the memory of Fanny Philips the mother of William James Phillips, who was wounded in action, and died from his wounds on November 15, 1918. Members of his family were also at the dedication. For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.