The End of the War 1918

The Bunbury Wellington area suffered a heavy loss of life in the First World War. According to historian Jeff Pierce, the Bunbury district lost fifty percent more than the national average. After four long years of sending their young men to the front, the entire community was longing for an end to the fighting. So when the news reached Bunbury on 2 November 1918 that Austria had surrendered, the people of Bunbury started to celebrate. The Mayor organised an impromptu celebration event which began with a procession. 

"At 3.30 p.m. the children formed in order before the State School, and marched in procession to the Recreation Ground, preceded by the town band, through streets lined with happy spectators. A long line of motor cars filled with flag waving citizens added colour to the tail end of the march of triumph. Incidentally, the horns of the motor cars supplied discordant and shrill cock-a-doodle-doos. But what did anything matter? Everyone was happy. Arriving on the ground, the strains of our National Anthem brought everyone to attention, and brought home to all the strength and pride of the Empire. This was followed by a Royal Salute of 21 guns, and three cheers for the King." After speeches, the children participated in sports events and toys were distributed at the end of the event. (reference). 

The resident poet of the South Western Times, Alfred Jingle, wrote a rather sombre poem in honour of the occasion published on 7 November 1918 (reference):

"For the past four years we've lost to the tale of the bullet, the trench and the Hun:

Of the fine old stock of Britain at the back of the murderous gun;

Of the ups and downs of a fearful fight with devils in human guise,

Whom we counted as human beings till the war had made us wise;

Of the shell-torn land of Flanders, of the sharks of the mighty deep,

Whose deeds on the pathless ocean have made the angels weep.

Of pulses quickened on hearing the deeds of the noble Anzac men,

And our pride has increased immeasurably at their noble deeds since then.

At last, thank God! We can see the end of the damnable murderous strife,

And the opening up throughout the world of a rational national life."

Austria was the strongest enemy after Germany. However, despite the victory over Austria, the war wasn't over until Germany surrendered. This led to the Bunbury community having to wait until the end of the war was declared, despite the end being in sight. Bunbury was cautiously celebrating, and "The town was gaily beflagged, but the citizens for the most part took the news quietly. There was little or no intemperance and everything was most orderly (reference)." People stood outside the newspaper offices waiting for the official declaration of the end of the war. A premature announcement of the war ending resulted in widespread disappointment within the community (reference). 

Finally, in the evening of Monday 11 November, the official news that Germany had signed the Armistice reached Bunbury. The South Western Times described the scene: "The first intimation of an authentic character was received at 8.30 by the South Western Times. An intimation was posted on the notice board outside the office, but for some time the public did not grasp the stupendousness of the news. In the meantime, by arrangement, Canon Adams was communicated with and made every arrangement to hold a thanksgiving service as soon as the news was confirmed. Then ensued an anxious wait. The telephone lines between Perth and Bunbury were blocked with traffic, and for some twenty minutes no news could be secured. Then came the glad tidings fully confirming the first message that the Armistice was signed. A minute afterwards the Cathedral bell apprised the public far and wide of the great event. The streets filled with cheering people and the town gave itself up to joy that was unconfined. Every two or three minutes fresh telephone messages of a supplementary character came to hand and a peculiar triumph of science may be noted in this regard, for the whistles blowing in the City could be distinctly heard in Bunbury by those listening at the phone. The first thought of a large section of the people appeared to be of a religious character and the Cathedral was packed to overflowing by all sections of the community. Not only was every seat 

taken, but the aisle and the porchway were equally crowded. The ceremony was simple and devout. The Te Deum was sung and several hymns of a thanksgiving character were rendered, everyone in the congregation possibly joining in. Canon Adams gave a very short address thanking God for the victory of the Allied arms. Then the people dispersed. After the ceremony the Bunbury Band assembled and marched to the cross streets opposite the Rose Hotel. There the National Anthem was rendered and a couple of very short speeches made. But the people were in no mood for speechmaking. They wanted to cheer and let themselves go. This they did to their hearts' content and every firework in Bunbury almost without exception was bought up. Empty kerosene tins were banged and kicked up and down the main street and the

young men and women of the town marched arm in arm up and down the town singing and roaring out their joy. Every whistle in the town was adding to the din. And the fire brigade alarm was adding its quota to the noise. The Bunbury Band and several tin bands added to the gaiety of the scene. About a thousand people or more at the corner of Prinsep and Victoria streets sang "Rule Britannia" and followed up with "For the Kaiser is a dirty beast," the latter part of the sentence being greatly emphasised. The crowd finally counted the Kaiser out several times until they were apparently satisfied that they had done him full justice. These and similar gatherings which met and dispersed and met again occupied the public until well up to midnight (reference)." 

Some got a little carried away as the South Western Times reported: "At a few minutes after 12 a.m. on Monday, evidently some of the celebrants of the joyous peace news endowed with the idea of creating further hilarity, broke the fire alarm at the corner of the Gordon's Hotel (reference)." However, it was a time of leniency. Exams were postponed, and the court overlooked street drinking misdemeanours because the men were all out celebrating the end of the war (reference; reference).

On Tuesday morning after the announcement, over two thousand people attended a thanksgiving service held on the lawns of the Council Chambers (reference). This was followed by a procession around the town (reference).

Again the resident poet Alfred Jingle put pen to paper on 14 November and this time described the excitement of the town on hearing the news (reference) :

"WHEN THE ARMISTICE WAS SIGNED.

The day had almost pass'd away — no news from distant France

Upon the public notice boards we paid our eager glance,

Which hour by hour since early morn we scanned with hearts resigned

While waiting for the glorious news: "The Armistice is signed."

But while the night was young it came, and forthwith sprang to life

The sleepy town, and every man, his children and his wife 

Soon gathered in its centre. For the gentle flowing wind

Conveyed with no uncertain sound "The Armistice is signed."

And then, with joyous shouts, hurrahs and patriotic lays,

With martial music interspersed with crackers, and a maze

Of weird and crashing splitting sound, the streets with people lined,

Echoed far the glorious words: "The Armistice is signed."

In days to come, when those now young are feeble, old and gray,

Their thoughts will often bridge the past and bring them to the day

When they stood list'ning to the noise made by their fellow kind,

One evening in November when The Armistice was signed."

The following Thursday, the 14 November, was declared a public holiday, and an official procession was organised, followed by a sports day. The South Western Times declared it "A Pageant of Joy" and stated, "Never before in the history of Bunbury has there been such a demonstration as that conducted on Thursday last." The parade, which was over one mile long, was led by the band, followed by around two hundred and fifty infants waving flags. Older children were following, and then representatives of various trades and organisations followed. In the rear were around twenty decorated cars plus horse drawn vehicles. After parading through the town, the procession ended on the oval where the children were given dinner. This was followed by an effigy of the Kaiser strung up and set alight. This went down well with the children. "As the various parts of the body burned through and dropped to the ground, a fresh round of applause broke from the youngsters and upon his eventual incineration, they all stood and sang "Rule Britannia" A sports day completed the programme (reference).

Those of us who have not suffered through wars can only imagine the people of Bunbury's great relief and joy when the Armistice was signed. The 11 November 1918 marked an end to the war and four years of suffering caused by losing so many lives.

Written by Gaye Englund for the Streets of Bunbury project.