PEACE SIGNED.
QUIET RECEPTION OF THE NEWS IN RUGBY.
The Treaty of Peace was signed in the Galerie des Glaces, at Versailles, on Saturday afternoon, five years to the day since the assassination at Sarajevo, which served as Germany’s pretext for the World-War. News of the signing was received with genuine relief all the world over. In Paris and London particularly enthusiasm was unbounded, its spontaneous informality being, perhaps its most notable feature.
The news was received in Rugby with the utmost tranquillity. There was no cheering or official public rejoicing, and even the bells of the Parish Church were silent. The only indication that anything unusual had taken place was that the Union Jack was hoisted on the Benn Buildings on receipt of the news from the Advertiser Office, and several business and private premises also flew flags.
CELEBRATIONS FIXED FOR JULY 19TH.
Saturday, July 19, is the day on which Peace is to be celebrated throughout the country, and, as far as possible, throughout the Empire also. This fact was announced by Mr. Bonar Law in the House of Commons on Tuesday.
RUGBY PEACE CELEBRATIONS.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR JULY 19TH.
Saturday, July 19th, has been decided upon as the date for celebrating the signing of Peace.
A representative of the Rugby Advertiser waited upon Mr. C. C. Wharton, secretary of the Rugby Peace Celebration Committee, on Wednesday, and inquired what progress had been made with the local arrangements.
“ I am afraid we have not got very far yet,” was the reply. “ We have been waiting for the date to be fixed before making the final arrangements. We have counted on two days being set apart for this purpose, and now that it has been decided to have only one it places us in rather a difficulty. I hope, however, that we shall be able to arrange for the schools to be closed on the Friday, which can be observed as children’s day, and the adults rejoicing can then be continued to the Saturday.”
Other modifications will have to be made in view of the fact that the thanksgiving services on the various churches have been fixed for next Sunday.
Mr Wharton added that a letter had been received from the Lord-Lieutenant, inquiring whether it was desired to have troops to participate in the triumphal march, and this had been referred to Major Claude Seabroke for his recommendations.
Subject to the approval of the Urban District Council, it has been decided to grant an additional £125 to the decorations and illuminations sub-committee.
The Discharged Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Association has been allowed a representative on the main committee.
On Saturday evening the Salvation Army band paraded the principal streets of the town playing the National Anthems of the Allies. On Sunday they also continued to hold their preliminary Peace rejoicings.
THE REV. R. J. GRIFFITHS made allusions to the signing of the Peace at both services at the Rugby Congregational Church on Sunday. His evening discourse touched upon the relationship between patriotism and Christianity.
NEWBOLD-ON-AVON.
THE PEACE.—The villagers read the news of the signing of the Peace Treaty with a sense of thankfulness, but there was little outward display, save for the exhibition of flags, &c. At both morning and evening services there were large congregations in the Church, where the Vicar, the Rev. J. B. Hewitt, made reference to the happy event, emphasising its lessons.
PRINCETHORPE.
PEACE REJOICING.—As soon as the news arrived in the village that Peace had been signed it quickly spread, and soon flags and bunting were flying from most of the windows. Special reference to the event was made at the morning service in the church by the Rev. E. Power. The National Anthem was heartily sung after the evening service.
FLECKNOE.
WAR AND PEACE.—An important and well-attended meeting was held in the schoolroom on Tuesday to consider the question of celebrating the signing of Peace, and to receive suggestions as to a permanent war memorial for the parish of Wolfhamcote. Among those present were the Rev. W. C. McLaren, Vicar, Mr. T. Butlin, Mr. J. F. Goodman and Mr. Jones (Flecknoe), Mr. Chambers, Mr. Hargrave and Mr. Bosworth (Nethercote), Mr. Thompson and Mr. Lenygan (Wolfhamcote), Mr. Twigger, Mr. Hitchman, Mr. Russell and Mr Brooks (Flecknoe Station), and many others. Mr. Bosworth was voted to the chair, and the business of appointing a committee was speedily disposed of. It was decided to have a public dinner on August 5th, followed by sports. Among the proposals for a war memorial, the one that found most favour was a Village Institute, with reading room and gymnasium. This was warmly supported by Mr. Goodman, who immediately promised a handsome donation towards it, and on being put to the meeting was passed nem con. The question of obtaining a site, by gift or otherwise, and the probable cost, with other details, was left to the committee. The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.
LONG ITCHINGTON.
PEACE BONFIRE.—The news that the Peace Treaty had been signed was received here about 5.30 on Saturday, and a brave show of flags was shortly afterwards in evidence. A bonfire, which had been collected in anticipation on the green, was lighted. The Vicar conducted a special service at 7 p.m., and on Sunday thanksgiving services were held. About 60 communicated, and the offertories were for the additional curates’ fund.
PEACE.—The news that the Peace Treaty was signed reached Brinklow at about 8.15 on Saturday evening, and directly afterwards the flag was hoisted on the Church Tower and a peal was rung. A number of flags were also displayed from the houses. On Monday evening a social gathering was held at the schools, at which a large number were present.
NAPTON.
Mr. & Mrs. J. Hands have had official news from the War Office, stating that their son, Pte. Frank Hands, who was reported missing on April 1st, 1018, is now presumed to have been killed in action.
LIEUT. NEVILLE HANDS, late R.W.R., youngest son of Mr. F. E Hands, Sheep Street, received the Military Cross at the hands of the King at Buckingham Palace on Saturday—Peace Day.
LORD DENBIGH’S WELCOME TO RETURNED RAILWAYMEN.
HAPPY RUGBY REUNION.
The happy company assembled at the Cooperative Hall, Rugby, on Friday last, on the occasion of the dinner and reception to the L. & N.-W. Locomotive Department employees who had returned from the war, were unexpectedly honoured by a visit from Earl Denbigh.
His Lordship, in a happy speech, congratulated the men upon their safe return. He also opened the concert which followed with two songs in French. The guests, with their wives and friends, numbered nearly eighty, and keenly enjoyed the hospitality provided. Mr. G. W. Walton, Chief Foreman, Locomotive Department, presided, and a pleasant programme of songs was contributed to by Miss Clark, Messrs. Hoffman, Wright, College, W. Marsh, Good, Starmer, Smith, etc, while Mr. Ward and party rendered some instrumental pieces very successfully. The whole of the arrangements were admirably carried out by a committee, with Mr. W. Crisp chairman, and Mr. T. W. Clark hon. secretary.
ON SUNDAY, at 3.30 p.m, a memorial and thanksgiving service for discharged men will be held in Rugby Parish Church, and the Rector will deliver an address. All discharged and time-serving men are asked to parade in the Recreation Ground at 2.45 pm. There should be large crowds to take part in such a notable ceremony.
ST. MARIE’S WAR MEMORIAL.—A committee has been formed in connection with St. Marie’s War Memorial to consider plans and suggestions for the erection of the proposed memorial, which will be submitted to a general meeting to be held at a later date. For raising the necessary funds, the parish will be divided into districts, to each of which a collector will be appointed. For the convenience of those who are unable to pay their subscription at once, an instalment system has been devised. All subscriptions should be completed by September 30th.
ST. PETER’S WAR MEMORIAL.—At a meeting at Eastlands Council School on Wednesday evening, the proposed war memorial scheme for St. Peter’s Church, Rugby, was considered. The Rev. T. H Perry (curate-m-charge) presided, and announced that Messrs. Foster & Dicksee had offered to carry out the construction of panels in the Church, as suggested, at a total cost of £285 It was decided to enter into negotiations with the firm for the work to be done, and a committee was elected to deal with the matter. The committee were also deputed to consider the advisability of erecting a tablet in the Church, to bear the names of the fallen, and a suitable inscription.
EX-KAISER TO BE TRIED.
TRIBUNAL TO SIT IN LONDON.
The Prime Minister made his statement on the Peace Treaty in the House of Commons on Thursday. He announced that the Allies had unanimously decided that the Kaiser is to be tried by an Inter-Allied Tribunal sitting in London.
Diary of the week.
July 2.—British airship “ R34 ” starts on cross-Atlantic flight.—Officially stated all beer restrictions to be removed and Control Board abolished.—Well-attended meeting decides to revive Rugby Football Club.
FOOD NOTES.
“ PRESERVE YOUR RATION BOOKS.”
For various reasons it has been found necessary to continue registration for the purchase of sugar, butter, and meat. The public should, therefore, carefully preserve their ration books after June 30th.
THE FOOD CONTROLLER has increased the maximum producers’ price of milk during the month of July by 4d. per imperial gallon. Wholesalers’ and retailers’ maximum prices will be automatically increased by a similar amount, commencing July 1st and ending July 31st.
ST. PHILIP’S CHURCH CHOIR OUTING took place on Saturday, when, accompanied by the churchwardens, they went to Leamington. There they were met by the Rev. R. B. Winser, and visited Jephson Garden and had an enjoyable time on the river. After tea they visited Warwick, and again went boating.
B.T.H. OUTING.—Grandborough was the rendezvous of the assistant foremen of the B.T.H. Works, Rugby, and their wives on Saturday afternoon. A company of fifty-five took part. Tea was served at the Shoulder of Mutton Inn, Grandborough, during the course of which Mr. G. W. Thompson, the president, announced the signing of the Peace Treaty. Various games were played out of doors, and later in the evening the party again adjourned to the inn, where a concert was held, the artistes including :—Mr. and Mrs. Mowis, Messrs. Woodcock, C. Franklin, Turnbull, Stretton. Spencer, Cawthorne (accompanist), etc.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
PEACE MUSIC.
SIR,—Re the music at the coming Peace Celebrations. One of the pieces to be played by the massed bands is “ The Lost Chord.” With all due respect to the composer of this beautiful piece, why play it on an occasion like this ? By all means let the public have good music, but should it not be more appropriate than the above-mentioned ? This selection (and possibly others) is not consistent with the effort.—Yours, etc., INTERESTED.
CHILDREN & THE PEACE CELEBRATIONS.
SIR,—I feel sure that Mr. Johnson voiced the opinion of many Rugby residents in his protest against elaborate Peace celebrations.
Our thankfulness that the War is over, and our gratitude towards those who have fought, can never find adequate expression in fireworks, processions, and other empty shows.
However, I quite agree that it is a fitting time to provide some kind of enjoyment for the children—who have missed so much of their rightful happiness during the past five years.—Yours, etc.,
“ LEST WE FORGET.”
THE CRUCIFIX AS A WAR MEMORIAL.
SIR,—I was very grieved to see from your report of a vestry meeting at St. Andrew’s Church that it was recommended to place an Image of Christ on the Cross or a crucifix in the churchyard on semi-public property, too, my reasons being : (1) A breach of the second commandment, “ Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of anything”— much less of our blessed Lord Himself. (2) It is an insult to Him, the Risen ascended Lord, to place Him as a “ dead ” Christ, instead of a living one. (3) The Cross, a heathen Pagan symbol of the old heathen Rome, “ suffered under Pontius Pilate,” the Roman governor. The Cross was not a Christian symbol at all in the early Church. (4) An object of superstitious reverence. The Church of England teaches that “ idolatry cannot possibly be separated from images set up.” (5) It is illegal and opposed to the law of God and man.
For these, with other reasons, I trust a more suitable memorial will be found.—Yours,
&c.,
A CHURCHMAN.
Rugby, July 1st.
IN MEMORIAM.
BLAND.—In loving memory of our dear son, Pte. C. BLAND, killed in action on July 1, 1916. Also his dear brother, Pte. R. Bland, killed in action on June 4, 1918, both aged 18.—“ Their King and country called them.”—Sadly missed by their loving Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers.
BOYES.—In affectionate remembrance of Pte. F. H. BOYES, Berkshire Regiment, killed in action in France on July 1, 1916 ; aged 17.
“ Three years have passed since that sad day,
When our dear one was called away.
Bravely he went to duty’s call,
Gave his life for one and all.”
—Never forgotten by his loving Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers.
HAMMOND.—In loving memory of Pte. A. H. HAMMOND, No. 9943, 2nd R.W.R., killed in France on July 1, 1916.
“ Three years have passed since that sad day,
When one we loved was called away.
God took him home, it was His will,
But in our heats he liveth still.”
—From his loving Wife and Children, Mother and Brothers and Sisters.
FACER.—In ever-loving memory of our beloved son and brother, Lance-Corpl. F. FACER, K.R.R., who was killed in action on July 1st, 1916.—“ Peace, perfect peace.”—Still deeply mourned by Mother, Dad, Brothers and Sister.
JAMES.—In loving memory of ALBERT JAMES, dearly beloved husband of Ethel Maud White, and eldest son of Mr. & Mrs. James White, of 70 Murray Road, who gave his life for his country on June 30, 1917.
SEENEY.—In fondest memory of Signaller BILLY SEENEY (Bourton), killed in France, July 2, 1916.
“ Father in Thy tender keeping
Leave we there our dear son sleeping.”
—Sadly missed by his loving Mother, sisters and Brothers.
Rugby Remembers 