ON this Remembrance Sunday, we take a look back to the end of the First World War and how it was marked in Warrington.
By the autumn of 1918 it seemed as if Britain and the Allies were at last winning ground against Germany and her allies and there were signs that the people of Germany were also war weary.
Germany signed an armistice or truce with the Allies on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month
After the prolonged strain and anxiety of war, Warrington abandoned itself to rejoicing on November 11, 1918 when the signing of the Armistice brought hostilities to a close.
Here is how the Warrington Guardian reported it: "The glad news that the last shot had been fired was made known by the sounding for several minutes of Messrs Crosfield’s hooter, and soon the streets were alive with cheering crowds. As by a common instinct the people made their way to the front of the Town Hall ...where the Mayor formally announced the completion of the Armistice and paid fitting tribute to the valour of Warrington’s sons in the fighting Forces.
"Soon the grey old streets of the town were brilliant with flags and bunting: church bells pealed merrily and the people gave vent to their feelings of profound relief and great joy in no uncertain way. During the day there were thanksgiving services...and the rejoicings culminated in a torchlight procession through streets which until a late hour rang with the noise of revelry.”
Amid the rejoicing many families also remembered those who had been killed or whose lives had been changed for ever by the events of the past four years.
Many widows, fatherless families and injured veterans would need support and so the women of Cockhedge Mill decided to take action.
Here is how Warrington remembers it: "After the workers had decorated the Mill the public were asked to go along to view the factory. My mother took my younger sister and me along.
"We left the house in our red, blue and white trimmed hats and with red, blue and white ribbons in our hair. The queue stretched from the factory gates to the end of Orford Street and round into Crown Street where we joined it.
"When we neared the gates Mam gave my sister and I a silver threepenny bit to give to the voluntary collection. Mam gave sixpence, known as a tanner. In all we three gave a shilling, and in those days a shilling was small fortune. Anyway, we were all taken round the Mill. It was beautifully decorated and the weaving sheds were absolutely fantastic. The only colours were red, white and blue. How wonderful it looked!"
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