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The Germans eventually had no choice but to agree to Allied peace terms and at 5am, on November, the German delegation signed the Armistice document in a railway carriage in the forest of Compiegne in France.
'The welcome news that the Armistice was signed by a German representative on Monday morning reached our office by telephone at about 11 o'clock.'
'The news spread rapidly through the district.'
'In a few minutes the church bells were ringing, and flags which had evidently been kept ready for the happy day were soon flying from flagstaffs, from shop fronts and from many dwellings.'
'A joint thanksgiving service was arranged at the parish church and bills were quickly distributed throughout the district.'
'The shops closed for the afternoon and workmen ceased operations for the day. Everywhere there were manifestations of joy at the end of the war and the prospect of 'the boys' coming home at an early date.'
'The parish church was crowded with a large and reverent congregation in the evening. It was evident that the solemnity of the occasion, as well as the joy, had touched the heart of the people.'
'All three ministers were in the pulpit. Dr Anderson opened the proceedings with a prayer of thanksgiving to God for delivering victory and read the Old Testament lesson. Mr Swan led the people in a prayer of thanksgiving and read the New Testament lesson. Mr Crichton led the congregation in prayer for our soldiers and sailors, our Royal Family, our Statesmen, the wives and sweethearts who had toiled at home through four years of war, our wounded and dying and for a purer and better world to live in.'
'The service, which was short and impressive, was brought to a close with the National Anthem and the benediction.'
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