Premature Armistice celebration

The 100th anniversary of Armistice Day tomorrow should be a more straightforward procedure in New Plymouth than it was when the end of the war was first celebrated by residents in 1918.

Tomorrow, a memorial service will be held at the Taranaki Cathedral of St Mary’s at 9am followed by a remembrance service at the Cenotaph at 11am to mark the 100th anniversary.

But in 1918 there was confusion as news quickly spread of hostilities coming to an end, and a German surrender, several days before the official announcement was made, the Taranaki Daily News reported on November 9, 1918.

Residents ‘‘gave themselves up thoroughly’’ to celebrating the victory with every whistle and bell, and any instrument or device that could produce a noise was used to produce an ‘‘indescribable din’’, it was reported.

Streets thronged with people and cars, decked in bunting and flags as a procession of ‘‘exaggerated animation’’ made it way up Devon St.

Unfortunately the celebrations proved premature and word got around Germany had not yet signed the Armistice.

It made little difference to the crowd who were ‘‘disinclined to disperse’’, the paper added.

Nevertheless the celebration continued with many feeling that ‘‘in all probability the announcement was only a little ahead of the actuality.’’

Later a hurriedly convened meeting at the Soldiers Club formed a committee to organise a proper celebration and official parade.

A holiday, or Peace Day, was decided on with all shops closing except butchers and bakers, and the procession route of the victory parade decided.

Once the war ended officially a flag was hoisted on the Post Office clock tower a few minutes after 9am with loud banging of bells, the paper reported on November 13.

‘‘Small groups of grotesquely costumed people paraded in the streets, playing instruments of the most weird types,’’ the report said.

In one of the largest crowds seen on Devon St, a band, led by a cornet playing ‘‘hefty Highlander,’’ chanted ‘‘some weird doggerel to the tune of a well known hymn’’.

The procession continued from Courtenay St to Devon St and finally to the Railway Station at Egmont St for speeches from the mayor.

Coastal towns, such as Okato, Rahotu, Opunake and Oaonui, all celebrated the surrender and ‘‘staid’ residents let themselves go in every conceivable fancy dress, the paper reported.

At Stratford the influenza epidemic dampened the enthusiasm but the mood soon lifted, while two trains at Tariki blew their horns as passengers hit out to Inglewood and New Plymouth to celebrate.