Bishopthorpe War Memorial
We can only imagine the relief and joy that the armistice brought to the residents of Bishopthorpe. Unfortunately, there are no records to show how they reacted to the news 90 years ago. Many villagers worked and shopped in York and if they were there on Monday, 11th November 1918, they would surely have joined in the spontaneous celebrations that spilled onto the streets.
The news that the armistice had been signed was received in the city a good hour before noon. The local paper, the Yorkshire Gazette, reported that, "Within a very short time the streets were thronged, the crowds growing deeper and deeper until Coney Street was well nigh impassable. Flags and bunting quickly appeared and by noon the city was in gala array".
Ironically, the Lord Mayor was attending a War Aims Committee when he
was told the news. He immediately made his way to the front of
the Mansion House where the Union Jack had been run up the flag
staff. Amid tremendous cheering, he announced that the armistice
had been signed.
About half an hour later, the Minster bells rang out, spreading the message to the outlying districts. The Dean of York quickly arranged a service of thanksgiving; the congregation, estimated at 10,000 people, included many local dignitaries. The Dean addressed the worshippers with thoughts that must have been in the forefront of every mind:
It is no wonder there was such heartfelt jubilation. There had been little hint of a cessation of hostilities just two to three weeks before the armistice. Partly because it was organised in such a short time, the fighting and dying continued right up to the 11 o' clock deadline. The last British casualty, it is claimed, was Private George Edwin Ellison, killed on the 11th November. He and his wife lived in Leeds but, coincidentally, he had been born in Skeldergate, York.
In 1918, three Bishopthorpe men lost their lives during the last few months of fighting. Their names are engraved on our war memorial:
Army Chaplain, The Rev. Edward Reginald Gibbs, 1st. Btn. Grenadier Guards. Killed at Arras on 29 March 1918. (Archbishop Lang's domestic chaplain.)
Acting Sergeant George Ambrose Hudson, Royal Army Service Corps.
Died of cholera on 15th September, 1918, in Mesopotamia (present day Iraq).
Able Seaman Frank Johnson, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, serving with Hood Battalion, The Royal Naval Division. Died on 13th September, 1918, of wounds received on the 21st August, 1918.
We will remember them.
About half an hour later, the Minster bells rang out, spreading the message to the outlying districts. The Dean of York quickly arranged a service of thanksgiving; the congregation, estimated at 10,000 people, included many local dignitaries. The Dean addressed the worshippers with thoughts that must have been in the forefront of every mind:
"Hostilities ceased, we are informed, at 11 o' clock this morning. The guns that have roared and thundered for 4¼ long years are silent; the murderous business is done. Thank God! The tense anxiety of those whose beloved men have been up to this moment in the forefront of the battle is relieved. Thank God!"Following the service, the Lord Mayor requested that all places of work should close for the rest of the day. The Yorkshire Gazette continued:
"The various military offices also closed, with the result that vast crowds of cheering people perambulated the streets bedecked with tricolour, bows and rosettes. Tramcars and vehicles of every description were similarly emblazoned, while the youthful element was ubiquitous with their joy, given utterances to by every conceivable device and profuse flag waving, a roaring trade at remunerative rates being done by business houses in the matter of flag purveying".While aeroplanes flew over the city performing "daring evolutions", the Lord Mayor and Corporation once again assembled on the steps of the Mansion House. They sang the National Anthem which was heartily joined in by the dense crowd which had gathered. The rejoicing continued well into the night, the streets aglow with additional lighting; the like of which had not been seen since the start of hostilities.
It is no wonder there was such heartfelt jubilation. There had been little hint of a cessation of hostilities just two to three weeks before the armistice. Partly because it was organised in such a short time, the fighting and dying continued right up to the 11 o' clock deadline. The last British casualty, it is claimed, was Private George Edwin Ellison, killed on the 11th November. He and his wife lived in Leeds but, coincidentally, he had been born in Skeldergate, York.
In 1918, three Bishopthorpe men lost their lives during the last few months of fighting. Their names are engraved on our war memorial:
Army Chaplain, The Rev. Edward Reginald Gibbs, 1st. Btn. Grenadier Guards. Killed at Arras on 29 March 1918. (Archbishop Lang's domestic chaplain.)
Acting Sergeant George Ambrose Hudson, Royal Army Service Corps.
Died of cholera on 15th September, 1918, in Mesopotamia (present day Iraq).
Able Seaman Frank Johnson, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, serving with Hood Battalion, The Royal Naval Division. Died on 13th September, 1918, of wounds received on the 21st August, 1918.
We will remember them.
Very interesting piece Linda
What a very good article I enjoyed reading it, congrats to the author.