A UNITED Peace Service was held in Kings Parade on Sunday afternoon of November 17, 1918 to mark the end of World War One. But there were a number of false alarms beforehand when residents thought the war was over. Our photo this week shows the service in Kings Parade.
One false alarm took place on Friday, November 8, 1918 when demonstrations full of hysteria took place in William Street from 6.30am. The ‘signing’ of the armistice conditions submitted by the Allies was being celebrated. It seems Bathurst Railway Station had received a morse message around 6am announcing the conclusion of the armistice and the cessation of hostilities.
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Someone rushed away and told the man on the steam ‘hooter’, which was followed by the shriek of the train engine whistles in chorus. The town was immediately awake as the town clock, fire station and church and school bells completed the job. Bandmaster Sam Lewins called his band together and they were soon playing patriotic selections on the Town Hall corner.
The Times editor rang Sydney to check and then posted: “It is officially announced that Germany has not yet signed the armistice.”
Mr Lewins would have been in a very relieved mood as he had received advice a week before that his son, Lieut. Eric Lewins, M.M., was expecting to leave for home shortly. Lieut. Lewins had seen over three years of service.
From our photo this week, one can see the great crowd in Kings Parade. The war from 1914 to 1918 had taken a toll on the inhabitants of Bathurst and district. The Model Band was in attendance under Mr L. Lupp and rendered music for the various appropriate hymns. They played a fine rendition of Lead-Kindly Light at which time several plates went around to raise money for Jack’s Day.
Peace was finally secured by the signing of the armistice on November 11, 1918. Many in the crowd got quite emotional as they sang the national anthem God Save The King and Rule Britannia with great gusto. Colourful bunting, in the colours of the Allies, decorated the Boer War Memorial on which a number of boys had climbed. Several large flags were also hoisted up for the occasion.
Remembrance Day in Australia is annually observed on November 11, although it is not a public holiday. This year’s Remembrance Day, once called Armistice Day, falls on a Sunday and a number of special events will be held in Bathurst over the weekend of November 10-11. This event remembers those who died as a result of war, particularly from World War I over 100 years ago.
The weekend is being organised by the Bathurst RSL Sub Branch in conjunction with the Bathurst District Historical Society to mark the centenary since World War One ended and the armistice was signed. Numerous activities have been planned so there will be plenty to see and do over the two days of Saturday and Sunday, November 10-11.
More than 350 photos will be on display in the Walshaw Hall, near All Saints’ Cathedral, along with more than 500 Great War artefacts, trench art, memorabilia and militaria during the Remembrance Weekend.
There will be three photo exhibitions that include The Snapshots of World War One, which has images from around Bathurst and the battlefields overseas, many of which have not seen the light of day for more than 100 years.
The Wall of Valour photos are of servicemen, the majority from World War One, and has a brief history of each if it is known.
Another concerns the Bathurst War Memorial Carillon and Honour Roll Boards of Bathurst and district. There is no charge to see the exhibition, which will open each day at 9am.
On Saturday there will be the Services Band playing in Machattie Park and lots more.
Don’t forget the Remembrance Service from around 10.15am on Sunday.
