1913-08-01 00:00:00

Edward Benjamin Britten born

in Lowestoft on 22 November, feast of St Cecilia, patron saint of music.

1914-08-01 00:00:00

Start of First World War

1914-08-01 00:00:00

Lowestoft bombarded

from the sea, destroying two houses near Britten's home.

1918-08-01 00:00:00

End of First World War

The poet Wilfred Own killed one week before the fighting stopped.

1919-08-01 00:00:00

Earliest attempt at composition

is a song entitled 'Do you no that my Daddy has gone to London today'.

1920-08-01 00:00:00

Earliest 'stage work'

1921-08-01 00:00:00

Starts piano lessons

with Miss Ethel Astle at his pre-prep school in Lowestoft.

1922-08-01 00:00:00

Receives Musical Dictionary

for ninth birthday and makes immediate use of it in his own music.

1923-08-01 00:00:00

Starts Prep School

at South Lodge in Lowestoft. Also has private viola lessons with Audrey Alston.

1924-08-01 00:00:00

Hears 'The Sea' by Frank Bridge

at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival and is 'knocked sideways'.