The Queen kicked off a trans-Atlantic tribute in London on Tuesday honouring Canada's war dead from the First World War.

She and the Duke of Edinburgh were among those who helped launch the international debut of "Vigile 1914-1918 Vigil." The vigil is an electronic tribute to fallen soldiers featuring a nightly display of the names of soldiers who died in battle.

The names were projected on to the outer wall of Canada House Tuesday, along with the images of the soldiers. The display will run from dusk until dawn through Remembrance Day on Nov. 11.

"Long may we all remember the multitude of Canadians, and indeed all of those who laid down their lives to defend the lives of others," the Queen told a crowd gathered at Canada House, before greeting Canadian veterans, including those who have fought in Afghanistan.

As darkness fell and the ceremony began, a lone bugler played "The Last Post."

School children then read aloud several poems, including "In Flanders Fields" by Canadian soldier and poet John McCrae.

Jim Wright, Canada's high commissioner to Britain, said the tribute was an emotional experience.

"It was extremely moving watching the names scroll down very slowly ... there was absolute silence," Wright said.

"It was a passing of a generation from veterans to the youth of today."

The tribute has also moved westward, across the Atlantic, with similar vigils being planned for Halifax, Fredericton, Ottawa, Toronto, Regina and Edmonton.

In Halifax, the names were projected on to a wall of the city's oldest church.

Tom Gillis told CTV Atlantic he is honoured to see the names of four of his relatives included in the tribute.

"They're all going to be up there this week and I'm going to be here at two in the morning or three in the morning and take pictures of their names," he said.

In Toronto, the names were projected on to the east tower of City Hall late Tuesday night, as politicians, soldiers, and civilians honoured those who sacrificed their lives for Canada.

Mayor David Miller told the crowd Canadians can't do enough to honour those who "never returned from fighting those conflicts so we might live in peace and freedom."

The tribute will continue in the other Canadian cities every night until next Tuesday.

The high-tech commemoration was the brainchild of actor R. H. Thomson and lighting designer Martin Conboy. They raised money for the tribute with the help of Canada's National History Society.

About 68,000 Canadians died in the First World War.

With files from The Canadian Press