Yorkton Peace Day Parade July 19, 1919. Margaret Ball Collection.
It is still often forgotten that the First World War did not officially end on 11th November 1918. The treaty negotiations at Versailles continued long into the following year, with Germany battling with the allies on the matter of war reparations. (Excerpt - Web site: AFTERMATH When the boys came home.)
Article: PEACE DAY 1919 - Excerpt from a Web site Exploring 20th Century London: Armistice marked the end of fighting on the Western Front, but formal negotiations at the Paris Peace Conference continued into 1919. The Allies' formal peace treaty with Germany, the Treaty of Versailles, was not officially signed until 28 June. As negotiations continued, the Peace Committee first met in London on 9 May 1919, A single day of festivities was planned for 19 July. The proposal did not receive universal approval. Some felt that the funds would be better spent on support for returning servicemen, many of whom struggled to cope with physical and mental injuries and high unemployment levels. London became the focus of nationwide Peace Day celebrations on Saturday 19 July. Nearly 15,000 servicemen took part in the Victory parade, led by the Allied commanders. Entertainments and performances continued throughout the day in London's central parks. At 9.45 p.m., Hyde Park hosted a lavish and spectacular firework display finale. Peace Days were held in various communities across the Commonwealth countries. It is understandable that the town of Yorkton, whose population was then in great majority of British origin and loyal to the Crown came out in large numbers to celebrate. Visit the Yorkton Cenotaph and view the list of local men killed in World War l.
Contact Terri Lefebvre Prince,
Heritage Researcher,
City of Yorkton Archives,
Box 400,
37 Third Avenue North, Yorkton, Sask. S3N 2W3
306-786-1722
[email protected]
