The events of September 1918
As encouraging as the signs were that the war was coming to an end, for those still fighting the front line continued to be a place of
death, wounding and sickness. At home there was austerity as not seen before during the war.
The government started to run weekly advertisements urging people to use less coal and giving tips on how they could save
money which they urged should then be invested in War Bonds. Even after the fighting ceased, they warned, the costs would
continue.
One post-war issue was already clear - many of the returning soldiers would need special care and the pressure would be great on
the local health committees and their facilities.
Food was rationed and the prices estimated to have gone up by 116 per cent. One solution being encouraged was to interest young
people in gardening so they could help grow more food.
Politics was returning with elections coming up. There were candidates to be selected and the state of the parties to be discussed.
The voting lists were to include some women for the first time but conscientious objectors were alarmed to find that there was a
campaign to exclude them from voting.
Part of the debate, especially within the Independent Labour Party, was around the peace. Some were saying that with Germany on
the brink of defeat, now was the time to negotiate a peace. But the majority claimed that would just play into the German rulers’
hands and that nothing short of a dictated peace on Allied terms would make sure Germany was never in a position to wage war
again.
The links here will take you to pages containing stories published exactly 100 years before. The headlines shown are only a taste of
the stories that appear on that page.
6 Septmber 1918
- Windhill vicar writes from the Front Line
- Letters home from “Eccleshill Road”
- Serving men condemn striking miners
- Mother’s thefts left family in ruins
- Plans for students’ gardening
- Milk dealers over-charging
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Conscientious Objectors claim the vote
- Dictated peace is the only safe peace
- Evening class opportunities
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Everyone needed to bring war to an end
- Bride ‘widowed’ days before her wedding
- Family loses a second son
13 Septmber 1918
- Windhill vicar writes from the Front Line
- Letters home from “Eccleshill Road”
- Serving men condemn striking miners
- Hints on saving on soap and polish
- State of the parties with elections looming
- Paltry excuses for not helping wounded
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Health problems and TNT threat discussion
- Support for children of dead soldiers
- A walk through local history
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Soldier gives blood to save comrade
- A football team’s war record
- Sad journey of a photograph
20 Septmber 1918
- Windhill vicar writes from the Front Line
- Letters home from “Eccleshill Road”
- Serving men condemn striking miners
- How to cope with fuel rationing
- Cricket’s support for charities
- Reward for tram conductor
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Mother and children escape sinking ship
- It’s t’lasses that do t’ coppin’ on now
- Medals for local heroes
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Bridegroom among the death toll
- Sea finally claims sailor who escaped death
- 19 year old has his leg amputated
27 Septmber 1918
- Windhill vicar writes from the Front Line
- Letters home from “Eccleshill Road”
- Serving men condemn striking miners
- Canteen would be ideal for national kitchen
- Girls and women boost evening courses
- Renowned poet to give lecture
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Children to teach parents how to fill in form
- Companies fined for polluting waterways
- Threats of candle rationing
- Killed after just two days in the trenches
- Civilian distress shames ‘shirkers’ at home
- POWs give the view from the other side
- Brothers die 23 days apart
- Death toll continues
- Medals for local heroes
