LIKE hundreds of publications across the country during the First World War, the Guardian’s coverage between 1914 and 1918 revolved around the action overseas.

It was the first port of call for news of our town’s soldiers – good and bad – and also covered events at home from rationing calls and crop shortages to fundraisers and heroic deeds. Soldiers at the front even asked to be sent copies to catch up on mid Cheshire news.

Although the end of a war is ‘front page news’, the reaction to the signing of the Armistice was covered on page six – the front pages being dedicated to advertisements and announcements.

Published each Friday, the Guardian’s first edition after the Armistice was dated November 15. Below is the paper’s account of November 11 in the town, entitled ‘Peace: how the news was received’.

The news reached Northwich shortly before 11o’clock on Monday morning, and the first outward sign of the glad tidings was observable from the office of Messrs Moore and Brock, builders’ merchants, Barons Quay, where the Union Jack was hoisted.

Shortly afterwards, official confirmation was received at the Guardian office, where the news was displayed in the window, and soon a large crowd assembled outside.

If everyone had been possessed of a private wireless installation, the news could not have travelled more quickly from one end of the district to another, and the heavens might have showered Union Jacks and Allies’ flags, so numerous were they in a very few minutes.

Little tots were running about in all directions with miniature Union Jacks, and soon impromptu processions were formed, and the streets paraded.

Wounded soldiers naturally became the heroes of the day, and they were taken about in motor-cars and other vehicles, bedecked with flags.

‘Tipperary’ was the favourite song of the juvenile processionists, and it had been aptly paraphrased to rhyme: ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary/It’s a long way no more’.

The buzzers at the various chemical works in the district were not at once sounded, for a few minutes before the news was received a message came to hand that Mr Thomas Hungerford Forgan, one of the directors of Messrs Brunner Mond and Co., who had had practically a life-long association with the firm, had died.

About noon, however, the ‘valves’ were released, and from Winnington, Lostock, Gadbrook and Plumley went forth the ‘joyous notes of peace’.

The whole countryside soon became agog with excitement, and naturally every one began to feel ‘work shy’.

Villagers made for the town, and with various works practically closed down, the streets were soon thronged with people, whose pent-up feelings were at last released.

Khaki and blue were much in evidence, and cordial greetings were freely exchanged.

The rejoicings were not, however, allowed to run riot, for behind all the thought of pleasure lingered the pang of pain at the realisation that there were those who would never return, but who, nevertheless, had earned the gratitude of the whole of the Allied countries.

Munition girls, who have worked day and night to make ‘the stuff to gi’e ‘em’, joined in the rejoicings in no half-hearted manner, realising full well that they had played their part in the victory of our arms.

As if to prove this more clearly, while the streets were densely packed with people, and were almost impassable, a proud land girl came through the town driving a motor tractor, her skilful handling of which evoked cheer after cheer.

A noteworthy feature of the rejoicings was the perfect restraint which manifested itself amongst all sections of the vast crowds. They were full of jubilation, but there was an entire absence of boisterous excitement.

The idea of ‘mafficking’ was entirely out of the question., and it was a tribute to the behaviour of the people that they celebrated the dawn of peace in a manner that was worthy of the loyal and patriotic town, which has done so much to ensure the glorious issue of war.

Thanksgiving services were held at various churches around the town and villages, with a procession along High Street, Witton Street and Church Road 'crowded with people, who were waving flags, singing and cheering'.