PEACE - PEACE - PEACE

CHILDREN CELEBRATING IN HAY STREET, PERTH          #2

Peace! Peace! Peace! The glorious news broke in Perth a few minutes after six in the evening.
"Who, of the multitude that gathered in the city last night, will ever forget the scenes of unbounded, unrestrained enthusiasm when the news arrived, that the war was over.” wrote The Daily News the following day.
The first message was received from Washington, via Montreal and posted in front of The Daily News office. But, as it was not official, “the flood gates of joy were not thrown ajar” and the crowd waited.
A second message came an hour or so later, this time official from Vancouver, but still the crowd refused to let go without a lead. Finally, it was a Salvation Army officer that gave it.
"Are we downhearted?” he called out.
"No, No, No,” was the thunderous roar of the crowd.
"Then sing God Save the King.”
How it was sung!
After 9pm, the gun at the observatory sent the great news that the war was over, resounding over the city and suburbs.
Outside The Daily News, the now huge crowd sung national and patriotic songs. Led by a jubilant Mayor (Mr WF Lathlain) who had climbed up on a window ledge.
When the third boom of the observatory gun sounded, Perth citizens knew "that the Rumour had made her exit and Fact had entered". In every home, humble cottage and splendid mansion, broke forth the music of the heart.
Trams and trains, “overflowing with loads of cheering humanity emptied into the city". Soon the Terrace became impassable, a human barrier that stretched almost from end to end. The roar of voices, of mighty cheers, and jubilant singing, unceasing.
People wore patriotic colours and waved flags. “Joy unspeakable written large on every upturned countenance.” Men embraced each other and danced for joy. There were tears of joy but also tears of "sacred and imperishable memories."
Motor horns hooted, bells rang, and whistles blew from far and wide.
And yet despite the wild enthusiasm, the crowd never at any stage became disorderly, and the police acted with “splendid tact”.
Only when the Mayor could only croak, and the crowd had cheered and sung itself hoarse, was the final song sung – “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow”. Never had an old hymn been sung with such sincere thanksgiving.
By 11pm, Hay Street was filled from end to end, and the celebrations went far into the morning.

In Fremantle, the multitudes gathered in High Street – dancing, singing, cheering, and shaking hands indiscriminately. The sound of the brass band, mingled with the triumphant whistles of the railway engines and steamers lying in the river.
Processions were hurriedly formed. The Daily News describing a white-haired old lady hammering away at a tin wash dish with a rolling pin - in her wake many small boys singing. As well as here and there, wives and sweethearts clinging to their khaki-clad returned hero. Relief and joy apparent everywhere.
The Kalgoorlie Miner reported that thousands of people had swarmed from all parts of the district, to Hannan Street. The Post Office tower bells heralding the news, followed by church bells and mine engine whistles at the Gold Mile. Men waved their hats and threw them into the air. Firecrackers exploded.
In Albany, the fire bell rang out and the band soon made its appearance. The main street nothing but “a surging mass, delirious with delight, singing patriotic airs and cheering”, according to The Daily News.
Back in the Perth suburbs, bands of schoolboys marched up and down their home streets, beating on kerosene tins and blowing penny whistles. Children were told that daddy, or uncle, or brother would soon be coming home again - “little ones, clasped and hugged in the crushing embrace of overjoyed mothers”.
"The long dark night of war, with all its attendant sorrows, its ever-present fears, had lifted, and peace, peace, peace, was breaking in a glorious dawn.”

       SOLDIERS IN THE PARADE , BARRACK STREET, PERTH               #7