Peace celebrations in the Royal Burgh
“They have signed!”
The rumour reached home around 10am on November 11 that the enemy had agreed to terms of Armistice, finally bringing an end to the Great War.
But the people of Rutherglen would not believe four years of dark days were finally over until 11am.
That was when the national flag was raised above the town hall, signalling peace and a long-awaited return home for thousands of local soldiers.
The Reformer reported on that special day and the celebrations that followed in the paper published on Friday, November 15, 1918.
It read: “The hoisting of the Union Jack was a signal. It seemed as if a fairy wand had passed over the Burgh, and Main Street, in particular. Cheers!
“Then a searching for decorations which had been laid past for the Day of Peace. A few minutes only elapsed till the school children crowded out of the educational emporiums into the street, singing and cheering.
“Those in the infant and junior classes were especially jubilant; they were too young to have cause for celebration on any previous occasion.
“Those in the infant classes had lived their few years in an atmosphere fermented with war. It was now peace. A victorious peace – for the Allies.
“Then the loud-tongued bell in the town hall tower was set agoing by Archie Yuill, and it pealed forth the glad tidings for well over an hour.
“The Auld Steeple Bell, less resonant and with suspicion of age in its cracky voice, joined forces with its near relative in making known the official message.
“Church bells – East UF and West UF – soon swelled the volume of sound.
“A down-tools policy of a pacific import was adopted in all factories and workshops; steam whistles and horns wrought overtime.
“Processions of factory girls in working garb, waving victory flags and bedecked with rosettes, paraded the thoroughfares.
“But, mingled with joy, in many a breast there was a sad recollection of loved ones who had gone away, whose lot had been a sacrificial one.
“On Tuesday, a well-attended thanksgiving service was held in the West United Free Church.
“As evening wore on, the spirit of jubilation assumed its maximum; the lighting restrictions were removed for the time being, and the shade of darkness under which the populance had lived during these years of suffering and suspense, departed.
“Anticipation of the event had exhausted stocks of fireworks, but the youthful element somehow, from somewhere secured the necessary fuel to ‘keep the bonfire burning’ for the remaining portion of the week.
“The loyal and true British sentiment was abroad in our midst. The celebrations will be remembered for many, many years to come, and no one can gainsay that, as Ru’glen acted its part bravely in the prosecution of the war, so did the Royal and Ancient Burgh in a commendable manner celebrate victory.”
Provost Adam Keir Rodger said he would never forget the celebratory scenes, adding: “Amid all the rejoicing, however, there were heavy hearts as many thought of those who would never more return.
“The warfare is now over, and the resolve is being made that this world shall be made free from war, and worthy of the great sacrifices that have been made.
“May strength be given to have this resolution carried out, that out of this terrible war may come a final and everlasting good.”