November 11, Armistice Day 1914-18 and 1939-45 are days I well remember. 1918. As a lad I was playing in the Salvation Army band and everyone was waiting for 11 o'clock on November 11 as it was announced the Armistice was going to be signed after the bitter war which had been going on for four odd years.
It had been a terrible time, not only for soldiers and sailors and air force, but for the civilians as well — they were all in it with bombs dropping everywhere and people being injured and hundreds killed. We were all glad that the end was near.
Anyway the band turned out. The schools shut, the shops shut, the pubs closed and it seemed as if all the people turned out and followed the band, singing and dancing and making merry all day, finishing with a service in the church in the evening.
I will never forget that day. It brought peace for a time and I took part in the peace celebrations.
1939-45 was a very similar occasion to the other and I was able to take part as in 1918. I, like all of us, hope we shall never have anything like it again. I hope we shall not get too concerned in the Afghanistan troubles.
We look forward to better times.
W Tucker, aged 96
Armada Court
Ransom Way
Tavistock