THIS week we look back to the start of the 20th century.

This image shows an incredible crowd along Winwick Street to welcome back the khaki-clad heroes from the Prince of Wales Volunteers who had served in South Africa in the war against the Boer Republic.

It was taken by the Birtles Studio in 1901.

According to author Janice Hayes, who takes up the story in her book Warrington’s Photographer’s, ‘never before have so many Warrington people compressed themselves into such a small space.

This is how the Warrington Guardian reported it: “As far as the eye could reach there was one mass of humanity who awaited with commendable patience the arrival of the Volunteers.

“Every conceivable vantage had been secured. On the housetops, hoardings, walls, electric lamp posts, in fact almost everywhere, people had planted themselves, and it was a marvel that no accidents occurred.

“Shortly after half past seven a salvo of detonators was heard and a train was heard rounding the bend.

“This was the occasion for an outburst of cheering from those who had gathered in close proximity to the station.

Apart from a lucky few relatives who were allowed onto the platform, the rest of the crowd had to wait patiently until the speeches by the civic reception party and official photograph session were complete. Soon the crowd grew restless and began surging towards the gate and it soon became clear that the soldiers might find it impossible to march on to Orford Barracks.

“When the gates were thrown open the crowd of course rushed forward but thanks to the strenuous efforts of a force of police, a passage down the centre of the street was cleared, and the triumphal procession started.

“Watched from the station bridges the sight was one that was not readily forgotten. Slowly the red and khaki line threaded its way through the surging crowd, whilst the deafening cheers were raised and innumerable hats and handkerchiefs were waved. For a time the line of soldiers remained intact, but ultimately the crowd broke through and each khaki clad volunteer was surrounded by a band of relatives and friends.”