Victory Christmas, 1918

In December 1918, the Grimsby News headline proclaimed that the Christmas of that year was ‘THE VICTORY XMAS’. Only weeks after the November Armistice, this was a Christmas with victory flags still flying. 

It was certainly an unusual peacetime Christmas, with lots going on to remind people of the late hostilities; including the soldiers who were still billeted in Cleethorpes. For their Christmas feast the troops scoffed a ‘splendid repast’ in their headquarters at the Royal Picture Palace. Roast pork and plum pudding were on the menu. Then, in the evening, most of them trooped off to the ‘Glasshouse’ (known to us in later years as the Café Dansant). Unfortunately, the programme promised by a concert party from the Palace Theatre was cancelled at the last minute – so it became a ‘do it yourself’ concert with soldiers providing their own entertainment, helped out with selections by the band of the Manchester Regiment.

Unfortunately, NCOs of the regiment let the side down when they had a billiards match over the Christmas period with members of the Cleethorpes Tariff Reform Club. The army did not do as well on the billiard table as they had in the war and suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the ‘civvies’.

Some soldiers were patients in local military hospitals. Fortunately, there were no serious cases at St Aidan’s Red Cross Hospital in Cleethorpes so all the patients had been given 12 days leave. Similarly, many of the patients in the Brighowgate Military Hospital in Grimsby were given leave. This left about 30 officers and men there to enjoy an impromptu entertainment, including ‘the magnificent singing of Lieut. Wade of the Dublin Fusiliers’.

Christmas Day also saw many servicemen flocking to the YMCA Hostel on Cleethorpe Road. They included soldiers, sailors, crews of minesweepers and patrol boats – and American airmen. The dining rooms were adorned with bunting and the flags of all nations. Willing helpers served free meals from early morning until midnight. It was impossible to count the number served. They breakfasted on eggs and ham; whilst dinner included roast pork, roast beef, plum pudding and mince pies. Those who were still hungry at tea-time could have ham, tongue, bread and butter and cakes. Plus a liberal distribution of cigarettes!

At the Grimsby and District Hospital, patients had Christmas dinner in the wards. In the May Ward, children had their usual Christmas trees and presents. Meanwhile, over at the Workhouse, residents were given presents and Christmas dinner. And an outburst of cheering greeted the cook as he entered the dining room bearing a huge plum pudding, which was also decorated with the flags of all nations.

Meanwhile, local groups of carollers had been out, braving the elements in support of local charities. The Great Coates Carol Singers made their annual visit round the village in aid of the Grimsby Hospital and collected the ‘magnificent sum’ of £11 6s. 6d. The Cleethorpes Carollers achieved a record collection. But all were outdone by the Wellow Waits who set a new record of just under £600. One house owner asked how many singers were in the Wellow Waits and promptly wrote out a cheque at the rate of £1 per head.

There were other signs of life getting back to normal. For instance, retailers were now allowed to light up their shop fronts, so the streets were getting brighter. But Christmas shopping was difficult. Food provisions were still in short supply and high prices were being asked for toys, jewellery and haberdashery.

However, ex-Prisoners of War could do well in Jonathan Taylor’s shop at 112 Grimsby Road. Here they were promised:

‘The Best Value for money in Town’- a wide range of clothing included tweed suits and overcoats, munition makers’ brace and bib overalls, boiler suits, and fishermen’s guernseys and fearnoughts.

And just in case you were in danger of forgetting about the war, local councils had been offered captured German weapons for public display. The Cleethorpes Council had requested 12 damaged rifles, 12 carbines, 36 bayonets, 3 machine guns and 12 trench mortars. The intention was that when received they would be put on public display. The Council trustingly hoped that no-one would remove any of the removable parts of the guns. So, if you’ve got a bit of a machine gun hidden in your roof loft, it’s time to give it back to the Council – please.

© Dr. Alan Dowling

First published in the Cleethorpes Chronicle on 23 December 2009.

The use of extracts from this article should be acknowledged merely by citing the name of the author, Dr. Alan Dowling. But please contact the author (who also holds the copyright) if you wish to re-print or otherwise re-use the entire article. He may be contacted on (01472) 690655.