Celebrations held to mark peace treaty

People in towns and villages across the Stirling area came together in July 1919, to mark the signing of the treaty which ended World War One.

Representatives of the great powers affirmed the Treaty of Versailles on June 28 and official peace celebrations were arranged for Saturday, July 19.

Stirling put back most of its celebratory events until September because July 19 coincided with the start of the trades holiday in the town.

However, the end of the conflict was marked in Bridge of Allan with a procession from the Cross. Those taking part included Comrades of the Great War Association, town councillors, clergy, nurses in uniform, firefighters, boy scouts, school children and girl guides. They marched to Strathallan Games Field for a service conducted by Canon Mcculloch and ministers of churches in the area. Children gave a spirited performance of dancing and sang songs and a fancy dress parade was held. Bannockburn Colliery Prize Brass Band also entertained and a bonfire was lit in the public park around 10pm.

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A thanksgiving service was held in the UF Church, Cambusbarron, during which the village’s minister, Rev JA Adam, conducted the service and justice of the peace Mr James Jackson ‘delivered an inspiring address on the peace’. The village was decorated with flags and bunting and a few fireworks were set off. 70 members of the Armed Forces, with connections to Causewayhead and Blairlogie, paraded alongside about 200 children. Headed by the Boys’ Brigade Pipe Band, the ‘returned warriors’ marched through the ranks of the cheering youngsters on their way to a ‘sumptuous repast’ provided by Mr Crawford, Abbey Inn, Cambuskenneth. The menu consisted of kidney pie, roast beef, roast mutton, tongue, salt beef, potatoes, green peas; strawberries, vanilla cream and rhubarb jellies, and biscuits and cheese. It was followed by sports and games in Abbey Craig Park and several treasure hunts organised by Miss Sharpe, Craigmill.

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July 18, 1919, was described in the Observer as a ‘red letter day’ in Cambuskenneth with its inhabitants ‘rejoicing at the coming of the peace’. The opening of nearby Manor Powis Colliery and erection of a number of miners’ houses in the village had meant the number of children living there swelled during the war years and 150 youngsters took part in the spirited celebrations. They took place in the grounds of Cambuskenneth Abbey and the programme featured refreshments, races and children’s entertainer Professor Allan.