EVIDENCE has been found confirming Farnham as the origin of the two-minute silence to commemorate Britain’s war dead in 1916 - and a commemorative event will be held in Castle Street this spring to mark the 100th anniversary of the monumental occasion.

In May 1916, a group of local farmers held an agricultural jumble sale and general fair in Castle Street to raise funds for the Red Cross. But amid the turmoil of the First World War, the people asked if it was appropriate to hold that kind of event.

So, the programme for the event included a two-minute silence “as a token of respect to the memory of those who have fallen in the War, to the Wounded, to the Prisoners and to those who are fighting for their Country”.

This remarkable document was recently unearthed at The National Archives by Farnham Maltings project director Christine Lee, and research by Farnham Museum suggests its proposal of a two-minutes silence was the first of its kind in the world.

The event was reported in the local and national press and was later suggested to the Home Office. Three years later, the nation held a two-minutes silence on November 11, 1919, for the first anniversary of Armistice Day and the silence has since become an international symbol of honour and remembrance.

Reporting on the spring fair in May 1916, the Farnham Herald stated: “Canon BK Cunningham [representing the Bishop of Winchester and the Rector of Farnham] in opening the proceedings, said after the bugles had sounded there would be two minutes silence, during which they would think with thankfulness before God of those who had laid down their lives for their country, the sick and the wounded, and those who were now fighting for King, Country and Cause.

“The silence which followed was quite impressive. The lowing of cattle, and noise of other stock and the occasional passing of traffic were the only sounds which broke the stillness, until someone started the National Anthem, all three verses being sung.”

An auction raised more than £1,600 for the Red Cross and the fair included steam fair rides, morris dancing, a garland procession with crowned May queens and an exhibition of war trophies.

This May will mark 100 years since that historic occasion and to celebrate, the Maltings in partnership with Farnham Museum, Farnham Town Council, Tindle Newspapers and other organisations is planning a replica event on Sunday, May 1, 2016, complete with music, commemoration and a May Day community fair.

The ‘time to remember’ event will start with a band marching from Farnham Castle down to a stage at the bottom of Castle Street, which will be closed for the occasion, where there will be speeches and a performance of a specially-commissioned piece of music, composed by School Bandmaster (Warrant Officer) at The Royal Military School of Music, Ben Mason, and performed by musicians, including 3PWRR marching band and pupils from Weydon School.

This will be followed by a two-minute silence at 11am broken by the St Andrew’s Church bells. The band will then march to Gostrey Meadow for a traditional May Day community fair with a fairground, historical re-enactment, along with more music and May Day performances. People of all ages are invited to come along and bring a picnic.

The Maltings is also hoping to produce a commemorative programme for the event in the style of the original document.

“This is one of those stories you stumble across which stops you in your tracks and asks you to reflect on the specialness of the place we live,” said director of the Farnham Maltings, Gavin Stride.

“It’s a story of Farnham as a progressive, compassionate community. It is a gift to be working with organisations and individuals from across the town to mark the centenary as a moment of remembrance and renewal.”

• The Museum of Farnham is also holding an exhibition, called ‘Time to remember’, in parallel with the May Day event. Through stories from Farnham’s past, and experiences of men and women of Farnham who served in the First World War, the exhibition will explore the origins of the silence and the significance of the remembrance event.

There is also opportunity for members of the public to submit their own stories of remembrance to the museum’s archive. The exhibition is open between March and October 29, 2016.

The event and exhibition has been funded and supported by Surrey Armed Forces Community Covenant, Heritage Lottery Fund, Farnham Town Council and Tindle Newspapers. Other key supporters include 3PWRR and Surrey Civilian Military Partnership Board.