Back in 1919, Britain was beginning to recover from four years of war and was making her mark on the world stage when the ‘R34’ airship became the first to cross the Atlantic, arriving in New York on 6 July; a daily air service from London to Paris began in August and the House of Commons received its first female MP, Lady Nancy Astor.

By contrast, the Mumbles Press was central in reporting ‘The Peace’ and its aftermath, together with some villagers putting pen to paper to record their impressions of the time, while Melville Clare, a local photographer was busy travelling around on his bicycle with a tripod on his shoulder, capturing the villagers on his glass-slide negatives and recording activities as diverse as sports teams, the Royal visit and villagers’ efforts in raising money for the ‘Hut Fund’.

In common with many towns and villages throughout Britain, ‘Peace Day’ itself was celebrated in Mumbles on 19 July 1919 (the Treaty of Versailles having been signed on 28 June) amidst much sadness, but also gratitude that, what many had been led to believe was the ‘War to End all War’, was at last over. According to the Mumbles Press, ‘The village was gaily decorated, nearly every house beflagged and streamers across most of the streets. The Bristol Channel Yacht Club presented a very special appearance in the evening with some exceedingly effective illuminations in front of the handsome building and a fine display of fireworks served to draw to the spot immense crowds of visitors and residents. Many children were present and members showered them with pennies and silver coins and set them running races. There was a bonfire on the hill just after 10 p.m. together with a few small ones on the foreshore at points between Mumbles and Blackpill and several firework displays. Mumbles Train was full in the afternoon. Rain threatened in morning but none fell. The Harwich Band drew many to the pier’.

However, tragedy was to mar the occasion, as situated a few hundred yards from the event was a very dangerous part of the cutting, which had never been fenced off and was very deep, with a rock at its centre called locally “The Needle”. After dark, when the event was nearing its end, the crowds, some carrying torches and lanterns, began to disperse along the well-known paths leading to Limeslade and Thistleboon. As we were passing Somerset House, two men came running shouting “Help, we can hear cries coming from the Cutting!” Other people arrived on the scene and it was agreed that we would go to Mr. Boulanger’s to get ropes and more lanterns. Mr. Boulanger, his wife and Servant came immediately. By this time, however, no sounds of cries could be heard. I remember hearing people say, “Let’s hope to God whoever it is has not fallen on the Needle Rock!” Eventually, a man was lowered on a rope and discovered it was a boy, just a little older than me, who was in great distress. He was rescued and carried to Somerset House, prior to his transfer to Swansea Hospital. However, there was a happy conclusion, as we heard next day that although he had sustained quite a lot of injuries, he was very lucky not to have fallen onto Needle Rock.’

Another villager, Mr. A.C. Saunders recalled that, ‘Just after midnight on Peace Night, the drowsy silence of the moonless night was suddenly broken by the booming peals of the bell that had called so many of the Mumbles children to Oystermouth Council School over the years. Mr. Albert Williams, living so near, turned out within minutes, but there was nobody on the premises and the ringing echoes had by then died away. Good staff work paid off; no break-in had been effected; the bell was rung and the ringers departed silently—there was Peace on Peace Night. I wonder whether the school bell awakened dear old Mrs. George of the school tuck-shop, where the humble ha’ penny used to buy such a vast amount of confectionery.’ Some time in the intervening years, the bell-tower has disappeared.

Out at Penmaen, the inmates of the Poor Law Institution (which served the Mumbles area) celebrated in good style. The dining hall was decorated by the Master and Matron, Mr. and Mrs. George and illuminated in the evening with coloured fairy lights. Dinner consisted of roast beef, vegetables with new potatoes, followed by plum pudding. Beer and Mineral water were also provided and afterwards extra tobacco, sweets, oranges and biscuits were given out. After tea there was a social evening.

In November, the King wished that on this, the first Armistice Day, there should be ‘for a brief period of two minutes, a complete suspension of normal activities. . . so that in perfect stillness the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated in reverent remembrance.’ The day was marked with a service at the Shrine in Parade Gardens and the following week with a dance held at the Parish Hall, where Mr. Holness played a violin, which had been taken from a German dug-out during the war.

This was surely a year to remember, which although one of immense sadness for many, was hoped to be the start of a new and better life. They were not to know that twenty years later, the next generation would be fighting another war.