The Dawn of Peace

St. Mary’s Church, Luton c.1905-10 [Z1306/75/3/2]

Tuesday 12th 1918: The news of the Armistice arrived at Luton yesterday morning in time for special newspaper editions to hit the streets soon after eleven o’clock. At 11.10 the Mayor appeared on the balcony of the Town Hall  and announced the signing of the armistice and the cessation of hostilities to rousing cheers. The National Anthem was sung, followed by a verse of the hymn “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow” and a rousing “three cheers”. By noon the main streets were filled with “shouting, smiling, joyful people”, undeterred by the rain. The local authorities met and announced the withdrawal of lighting restrictions, and by evening the town was a blaze of light. Services were arranged at all the churches and bands played outside the Town Hall, in Park Square, and at the Volunteer Club. The streets remained packed with people until midnight.

Today has been declared a public holiday and a civic service of thanksgiving was held this morning at the Old Parish Church, attended by the Mayor and Corporation along with representatives of all the public bodies in the town. The largest civic procession seen in Luton took place from the Town Hall to St. Mary’s, passing along streets lined with crowds. During the service the King’s message to the Services was read to the congregation by the Mayor. A collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for the Blind, and the service closed with a blessing from the Vicar and the National Anthem.

Source: Luton News,14th November 1918

The War is Over!

Leighton Buzzard’s First War Memorial, 11 November 1919 [Z50/72/131]

Monday 11th November 1918:  The War is over! After premature reports of victory last week people seemed afraid to believe the news that the Armistice had been signed, and there is a sense not just of celebration but also of bewilderment that this day is one of such momentous importance. The crowds who have turned out to celebrate in Leighton Buzzard and Linslade have been quite modest. The War has taken a heavy toll on both towns, with many dead and many more still serving overseas. Among those left at home the munition workers “mafficked”, Morgan’s Band played in between bouts of rain, and the Church Lads’ Brigade Bugle Band has been out in the streets. Union Jacks are flying, although a surprising number of people seem unaware of the correct way to fly the flag, with many hanging upside down. At All Saints Church in Leighton Buzzard and in all the villages around bells are ringing out the good news, although many of the ringers are novices with rather more enthusiasm than skill.

The chief feeling in the towns has been of relief and thankfulness. Services of thanksgiving have been attended by large numbers, many of them not regular churchgoers. At All Saints Church a packed congregation was present at a shortened  version of Evensong which ended with the hymn ‘Now thank we all our God’, a verse of God Save the King, and the Marseillaise. The Vicar, Reverend G. F. Hills gave a short address based on the words from 2 Kings, 9:17, “Is it peace?”, ending with the hope that the returning men would find a different and better world. At St. Barnabas Church in Linslade a spontaneous service of thanksgiving was attended by the special constables, the Church Lads Brigade, and people of all religious persuasions. Services have also been held at Hockliffe Street Baptist Chapel and the Wesleyan Methodist Church.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer 19th November 1918

Luton Airman Receives Military Cross and Bar

Paul Ward Spencer Bulman

Sunday 14th April 1918: Rev. Thomas Bulman, the Vicar of St. Paul’s Luton, has received the following letter from the commanding officer of his son, Paul Ward Spencer Bulman:

“It is with the greatest possible pleasure I write to inform you that yesterday the great news came through that your son Paul has been awarded a bar to his Military Cross. He has more than earned it by splendid work, especially during the recent operations. My heartiest congratulations to you and yours.”

This means that within the last six months Captain Bulman has been mentioned in dispatches, awarded the Military Cross, promoted to Captain, and has now been awarded a bar to add to the Military Cross. Captain Bulman is serving in France with the Royal Air Force as Flight Commander of a squadron.

Source: Luton News, 11th April 1918

Father Sees Son Buried in France

Drawing of Bailey Hill Methodist Church 1898 [MB2274a]

Saturday 16th June 1917: Pioneer Manning, of Frederic Street, Luton, was recently present at the funeral of his twenty year old son Pioneer Harry Manning of the Royal Engineers which took place behind the lines in France. The chaplain who carried out the service has written a letter of sympathy to the young man’s mother, in which he explains that her son was brought in suffering from gas poisoning and could not be saved, although everything possible was done for him. Harry Manning enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment in August 1915 and went to France in April last year. He was wounded twice during the Battle of the Somme. In January he transferred to the Royal Engineers and served with them in various parts of the Western Front. Just a week before his death he was transferred to the same company as his father, who was able to see him after he was gassed but before he died. Before the war he worked for a hairdresser in High Town Road, Luton and was a member of the Bailey Hill Church Choir. He was expecting leave when he was killed. His father is now at home on leave, but will return to France tomorrow.

Source: Luton News, 14th June 1917