END OF WW1 AND ARMISTICE AT ODIHAM
The Great War ended at 11 o’clock on the morning of Monday 11th November 1918. News of the Armistice as it was received at Odiham was reported as follows:
“The joyful news filtered through from Aldershot about 10 o’clock that the signing of the armistice was an accomplished fact, but it was received somewhat sceptically by a majority of the inhabitants. A few flags were at once displayed and a feeling of contentment and joy began to prevail. About noon, when the news was confirmed by ‘phone from London, flag-waving became general and the High Street presented a gay appearance. The ringers were rallied together and merry peals rang out of on the church bells, which were continued at intervals until midnight. A thanksgiving service attended by the scholars and staff of the Grammar and Council School was held at the Parish Church at 3.30 followed by a second service at 7.30, the church being full on occasions, appropriate prayers and hymns being used.”
The Armistice of 11 November 1918 ended the fighting on the Western Front. It was followed by the signing of peace treaties including the Treaty of Versailles with Germany on 28 June 1919. The war had far- reaching political, social and economic effects, including the dissolution of the German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and Russian Empires. More than one million people serving with British Empire forces lost their lives, while in total the war caused the deaths of nearly 13 million military personnel, with more than 21 million wounded. Millions of civilians were impacted by the war and its aftermath.
