OH what a joyous day it was in St Helens after the news broke that the war had ended! Bells were rung and sirens sounded and services of thanksgiving were held. Within an hour a gathering of thousands had formed and the town quickly took on a new look, as one newspaper described:

"Flags and bunting shot out in all directions, from the civic precincts of Victoria Square to the meanest street" as the people learnt the "soul-stirring news which gladdened our hearts".

Two days paid holiday was immediately awarded to most workers in St Helens so they spend time with their families. The celebrations continued during the afternoon and as darkness fell bonfires were lit and Chinese lanterns and fireworks were set off.

The announcement that the armistice had been signed had been received at the Town Hall around eleven o’clock on Monday November 11th 1918 – the time when the fighting in France was scheduled to end.

The mayor of St Helens, Alderman Henry Bates, had only been elected to serve a record-breaking fourth term two days earlier and he immediately went to the Police Court to convey the news.

It was Alderman Martin who was the Chairman of the Bench and he asked those in court to rise while the Mayor made a "momentous statement".

Bates announced that "this terrible war" had finally been brought to an end through the "splendid fighting" of the Allied troops. The armistice signing was not unexpected but it was still greeted by a tremendous sense of relief.

Labourer Henry Wilkinson from Hall Street and collier Fred Cawley from Nutgrove Road were doubly delighted to hear the news from the mayor!

They had both been summoned for breaking the night-time black out and were expecting to receive a fine. However Alderman Martin decided that the charges should be dropped in recognition of the special day.

Appeals were also made in court for townsfolk to remain peaceful while celebrating. They needn't have worried as there were no reports of trouble and not a single arrest was made.

Although locals were keen to rejoice at the news, they were mindful of the many men who had gone to war but would not be returning home. One local newspaper wrote:

"The public flocked into the main streets, which were crowded and animated for the remainder of the day; but anything in the nature of 'horse play' was taboo. A better-behaved throng could not have been wished."

They also wrote of: "the heartfelt gratitude, the boundless joy of the people of St Helens, whose feelings of relief, as from the throes of a terrible and enduring nightmare, were such as to be beyond the expression of mere words."

What was described as a "vast and cheering concourse" of people crowded Victoria Square at noon to officially hear the earth-shattering news. The National Anthem was sung and then the Mayor of St Helens stepped to the front to be greeted by rousing cheers. This is how the town's press reported the extraordinary event:

"From the steps of the Town Hall, looking down on the multitude of happy faces, the animated throng of St Helens people with innumerable flags waving and fluttering over their heads, the mayor, surrounded by a large and representative body of public men and officials and their ladies, made the solemn but joyous announcement of the arrival of a glorious peace."

In paying tribute to the work of the Allies, Alderman Bates said they had "dethroned some of the greatest criminals that the world has ever known".

And there were cheers when quoting the words of the German Kaiser from 1914, he added: "Our contemptible little Army took up the challenge thrown down by one of the greatest military tyrants".

The rest of the 15-minute meeting was devoted to speeches from the town's religious leaders. Canon Baines, the Vicar of St Helens, told the crowd that they were "gathered together at a moment which was perhaps the greatest of all in human history".

Proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of the hymn 'Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow' and the crowd then broke up, as one St Helens' newspaper described:

"Peacefully, but with joyous hearts, with many expressions of goodwill one to another, with a fluttering of flags as the people moved off by the several channels of exit from Victoria Square, the great throng dispersed."

The local papers were also very descriptive of the townsfolk who milled through St Helens throughout the day. The vast majority wore on their hats and coats the emblematic red, white and blue of the Union Flag. One paper wrote:

"Everywhere, patriotic emblems fluttered in the breeze, and glittered gaily in the bright sunshine of what would have passed muster for an ideal Autumn day. Truly, even the weather and all nature rejoiced with humanity. Not a face but wore the sure imprint of sincere satisfaction and happiness, if withal alloyed in many cases by thoughts of those brave dead who will be ever absent from many a St Helens hearth."

In the afternoon the first service of thanksgiving was held on the recreation ground at Haydock. A large gathering listened to speeches by local councillors and ministers and the Haydock Prize Band led the singing of the National Anthem.

During the evening at Lowe House more than 1,300 people filled the 18th century church for a special armistice commemoration. At the same time what was described as a "vast congregation" crowded the large assembly room at the Town Hall for a service of thanksgiving for victory and peace.

The room was so packed that many couldn't get in and others stood crammed in corridors. The service was held in connection with St Helens Parish Church whose own place of worship had burnt down in December 1916.

Children, of course, have their own way of celebrating and as darkness fell a number were determined to have fun, as one St Helens newspaper described:

"There were a few miniature bonfires on waste ground in the outskirts of the town, many a mattress, which had done its duty, being made a burnt offering to the defeat of the Hun. There were squibs and crackers, and Chinese lanterns here and there; but for the most part these fires and illuminations were the contributions of the children to the common rejoicing."

Many of the grown ups congregated during the evening in Victoria Square and within the town's main streets – with some lively scenes of celebration. There was much amusement when a party of soldiers that were stationed in Knowsley Park arrived in St Helens and began dancing round a tram!

On the following day the Mayor of St Helens despatched four congratulatory telegrams on behalf of the people of the town. General Haig and Marshall Foch – commanders of the British and Allied Forces in France – received one apiece and so did the Prime Minister Lloyd George in Downing Street. The fourth telegram to King George V read:

"To His Majesty The King, Buckingham Palace, London. – Inhabitants of St. Helens, Lancashire, send heartfelt congratulations on the glorious victory of your Forces – From Bates, Mayor of St. Helens."

The people of the town were also pleased to hear that some of the wartime restrictions were being eased. They could now remove the blackout curtains from their windows and half the street lamps would be shining again – the shortage of coal and gas meant the other half would remain dark. Food rationing would also continue for the foreseeable future.

Thoughts were also being turned to the family and friends in the armed forces who before too long would be returning home. The local newspapers again enunciated this feeling:

"We sigh for the homecoming of those who are happily spared to witness the vindication of the causes which forced us to draw the sword; and we reflect with pride and gratitude that our sacrifices have not been in vain.

"But we cannot yet quite reconcile ourselves to the great fact that the war is over; that the enemy lies beaten at our feet; that there will be no more anxious scanning of casualty

lists, no more fathers and sons to be taken from us to defend our shores and maintain our liberties."

Just weeks after the outbreak of war in 1914 the parents of Mary Peace Page had given their new-born daughter and future teacher at Cowley that middle name as a symbol of hope for the future. So seemingly did the parents of George Peace Smith, who would later become a railway shunter living at Duncan Avenue in Newton-le-Willows.

The St Helens newspapers that were published four days after the armistice signing were also in optimistic, hopeful mood writing:

"It is our duty both to the survivors and to those who are lost to us to make this country a better and a happier dwelling place…All we can realise is that the menace has passed, that civilisation is free, and that we stand on the threshold of a new world which will have finer inspirations than the old for those who dream of peace, progress, and human happiness."

How could they possibly have imagined that in just two decades time there would be another "terrible and enduring nightmare" with the country once again plunged into a devastating war with Germany?

By Stephen Wainwright