FROM THE ARCHIVES - The Great World War ends
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Tillsonburg Liberal
Thursday, November 14, 1918
IN CELEBRATION OF PEACE
At 3:30 on Monday morning many of our citizens were awakened from their slumbers by the prolonged whistling of a locomotive on the MCR, which was in celebration of the joyful news that had flashed over the wires. The armistice had been signed by Germany and the Great World War was over.
The MCR night operator then got busy with the telephone, and failing to rouse Mayor Dean from his slumbers, finally got in touch with Reeve Denton, and shortly before six o'clock the town bell pealed out the joyful news.
It did not take long for the citizens to get into their clothes and hustle down to get a confirmation of the momentous news, and soon the streets were alive with a mass of shouting, cheering, joy-mad humanity.
The church and school bells and factory whistles soon joined in the glad acclaim, and from many a grateful heart a fervent “Thank God, the war is over” was uttered.
People congregated on Broadway as if drawn by a magnet, and no one seemed to care what became of business. The Mayor's proclamation was not necessary to make the day a holiday. No places of business, except in cases of absolute necessity, were opened.
Tillsonburg's soul had been stirred as never before – profoundly stirred – as it passed through one of history's greatest hours.
Like the gathering of an autumn gale, individuals appeared in costume and without, some with guns, some with bells. None without some noise-creating implement.
Soon odd cars started up and down Broadway at a merry clip, many of them with trailers, and while in many cases the speed limit was transgressed, the chief was in a happy mood and winked at the breach.
A committee was organized last Friday... to deal with the peace celebration, which it was felt sure would come soon, and a monster parade was soon arranged for the afternoon.
The forenoon was spent in a spontaneous celebration by individual citizens and some amusing stunts were witnessed. One of the most original, and mirth-provoking, was an ancient looking horse with blue jeans on its legs, drawing an ancient vehicle. Some masked robbers were on another vehicle, busy making all the noise they possibly could. Employees of factories had prominent outfits and all joined heart and soul in the joyful celebration.
At two o'clock in the afternoon the mammoth parade started from the market square, headed by the Boy Scouts on foot, Mayor Dean and the members of town council in cars, and the L.O.L. Band.
We venture to say no more successful parade was ever witnessed in Tillsonburg.
Hundreds of gaily decorated cars were in line, the route of procession being from the market square to Bidwell Street, north on Bidwell to Wolf Street, east on Wolf to Broadway, south on Broadway to London Street, west on London to Bidwell, then north on Bidwell. This route was repeated several times.
Several large floats were furnished by factories, and cars were provided for the school children, who aroused plenty of enthusiasm.
At four o'clock a union of thanksgiving was held in St. Pauls Methodist Church. Rev. T.H. Bole presided, and those who took part in the proceedings were Revs. P.B. Loney, T.B. Howard, H.D. Moore (Eden). The church was well-filled and a deep spirit of thankfulness characterized the earnest addresses.
In the evening a torch light procession was formed and another parade of Broadway was made. The hundreds of torches made for a pretty sight. Very fine floats in this parade were made by the Borden Co. and Shoe Co., the latter bearing the Kaiser's coffin. The Huntley Manufacturing Co. had a very prettily decorated car on which was mounted a rough box for the Kaiser's coffin. Also the Cereal Company's mammoth motor truck was gaily decorated with flags and bunting.
After the parade a mass meeting was held in the opera house, which was crowded to the doors.
Taken all in all, the celebration was one of the most successful ever held here and it was kept up until a late hour.
AUTOMOBILE BURNED
During the parade on Monday evening, the handsome new car owned by Mr. William Coloff was badly damaged by fire. The top became ignited from fireworks, and before the flames could be extinguished the body was practically destroyed. The loss is partially covered by insurance.
SUGGESTED MEMORIAL
A committee was formed last Tuesday evening by the council to recommend some suitable memorial for the Tillsonburg soldiers who have paid the supreme sacrifice. A monument placed in Washington Grand Ave. park would make a suitable memorial and it would probably meet with the approval of every ratepayer.
MILITARY CROSS FOR ATKINSON
[excerpts from a letter written by Captain (Dr.) C.F. Atkinson to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Atkinson]
Dear Mother and Father,
We have been through some tough fighting these last few days, but we got what we went after. News on our front is very encouraging, and I hope that it shortens the war. As the papers here stated, we have been near Cambria, and I had a very good view of it, only a mile and a half away from it. The Huns do hate to give it up, but it is surely being taken from him. He is, however, putting up a great fight to hold us.
I am writing this from ground he held only a week ago, and it is pleasant to feel that we are gaining on him all the time. There is not much I can say, but, although we have lost some men and officers, their sacrifice is wonderful, and they all die like old heroes, without fear.
It is beginning to get chilly at nights, but I have plenty of warm clothes, good warm sleeping bag, and plenty to eat. My health is the best, so I have nothing to complain of except for the number of bullets and shells flying around, and one gets used to those.
I won the M.C. (military cross) at Amiens, and am wearing it, which I am very proud of.
Tillsonburg Liberal
November 21, 1918
WHEN THE BOYS COME HOME
Mr. Editor,
Having noticed mention in the local press of some suitable monument, in honour of our gallant men who served in the world war and specifically of those who paid the supreme sacrifice, I would suggest that such a memorial be not a stone or marble pillar... but that something be erected that will be of benefit to those who returned to us.
What about a YMCA building with a gymnasium and swimming tank? We have a good public library and reading room, but where in Tillsonburg can our boys meet and have a conversation?
A General Hospital is needed and one storey of such a building could be so utilized. The town already owns a good site ie. Washington Grand Avenue Park. We would like to have opinions from others of our citizens.
[A prelude to Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital, 1925]
LETTER FROM FRANCE
Pte. Wilfrid McGuire, excerpts from a letter home...
France, Oct. 14, 1918
I almost laughed on reading about you all rushing out to see one aeroplane fly over (which didn't appear). I wonder what you would say to see 40 to 100 up at once, and fighting, not just even sailing along. These sights are an almost every day occurrence out here and I just wish you could see a scrap once. It is the most thrilling thing you could possibly witness.
One of these days I really do intend to give you a little talk on our doings, but not now. The less I say about it just now the better I will feel. Anyway it is better that you should be in ignorance of war as it is today.
Suffice to say, here, I really believe it will not last a great deal longer. A few more smashes like he has been getting will finish him. Yes, you say we pay for it but not in the proportion he does, for our artillery is so much better, and more of it too.
It has been raining a little each day for the past two or three weeks, so the roads and the lines are not in very good condition. This is when it is so hard on the boys holding the line.