An excerpt from the war diary of Mrs Ethel M Bilborough, of Chiselhurst, Kent:
November 11 1918. I was trying to write a coherent letter this morning when all of a sudden the air was rent by a tremendous bang! My instant thought was - a raid! But when another explosion shook the windows and the hooters at Woolwich began to scream like things demented, and the guns started frantically firing all round us like a mighty fugue! I knew this was no raid, but the signing of the armistice had been accomplished! Signal upon signal took up the news; the glorious pulverising news - that the end had come at last, and the greatest war in history was over.
The unveiling and dedication of the Tring war memorial was performed on Wednesday November 27th 1918 on the Church Square at 3.30 p.m. by General Sir William Robertson GCB, KCVO, DSO (General Officer Commanding in Chief, Great Britain), who gave the address. The memorial was then dedicated by the Very Reverend T C Fry DD, Dean of Lincoln.
The Treaty of Versailles was signed on 18th June 1919 so ending the Great War. A national day of rejoicing was set for 19th July. However this date was brought forward to Sunday 6th July. This, of course, caused some confusion, however all went well on the day. The festivities started with a short service on the Church Square at 11 a.m. followed by festivities in the park. A good time was had by all.
