Welcome to the story of Leicestershire, Empire and England in the first two years of WW1, this is volume one of three. The narrative originally published on Facebook on the same dates as the historical activity, except one hundred years later. Nearly all the characters are real and their story, in the main, true. Prominent fictional parts are included to try and give an insight into the period and the things that will appear in books two and three. The timeline is as accurate as I can make it. The dates of telegrams, the historical passage of time and the unfolding tragedy which would become the first world war are correct. Politically, it happened exactly like this, in this time-frame. This volume, Prelude, tells the story of middle-England, life, loves and death, right up to the declaration of war. It gives an insight into the Empire, particularly India. If you have often wondered why we have such close ties, here is the answer. Likewise, if you have ever wondered how we slipped into such a violent period follow the story, it might change your mind. Not everything you think you know is true. Book Two covers the period from the declaration of war through the first year. Book Three will give us a conclusion to the story. It is not the end of the war, but for the people here written about it is.