Cathedral Square hosted one of New Zealand’s most significant historic events after the armistice was signed by the Western Allies and the Central Powers on 11th November 1918 in Paris, France.  The government made the 12th November a public holiday, so the war-weary country could celebrate the great victory after four tough years of death and loss. Close to 18,500 of the country’s finest young men were dead while tens of thousands were left maimed from injuries. Many more were yet to die from the after effects of injuries such as mustard gas poisoning.

An enormous crowd of Cantabrians, estimated to be in the region of 181,856, were drawn to the centre of Christchurch to congregate and watch the grand procession of returned soldiers, Red Cross workers and volunteers from patriotic organisations as they walked through the streets to Cathedral Square, where an open air religious service was celebrated.

In the photograph below, taken at 11.23 am,  shows a crowd mainly made up of women, older men and children. Soldiers and naval personel were still yet to make the long voyage back from their outposts in Europe and the Middle East.

Crowd in Cathedral Square, Christchurch on Armistice Day, 12th November 1918. Source: Black and white original negative, Samuel Heath Head Collection, Photographic Archive, Alexander Turnbull Library Head 1 Black & White original negative, ref: 1/1-007108-G

The crowd lines the route, craning forward to look towards Colombo Street, flags held in their hands ready to wave. Union Jacks, the ‘Star Spangled Banner’, along with a smattering of other Allied flags are on display. Posters advertising ‘The Star, Official News, Armistice Signed” are plastered on the back of parade vehicles which are packed with passengers, hanging out windows, standing on running boards and perched on the back.

Without wireless and with very few phones, the news of the peace had spread rapidly. Children were released from school and sent home to celebrate with their families. Seven year old Jean Clark and her mother Ellen, along with younger children and push chair, leave their home in Kingsley Street, Sydenham, climbing over the railway bridge near the railway station. They are going to seek out their father Duncan, a tram driver. Despite the crowds they manage to find his tram and the family climb aboard, Jean ‘taking charge’ of the tram bell. However the large crowd has a mind of its own, and the tram can not progress to the city and must retreat to the safety of the tram sheds. The family part company with their father, and celebrate with fish and chips in the street before making their joyous way home.

It must have felt a very long wait for families and loved ones who had not seen each other for up to four years. However, no one could take away the joy that was shared that day.  Amongst the thronging crowd in the picture below, a small, six year old boy balances on the handle bars of his father’s bicycle. His slightly perplexed expression illustrates a child’s limited understanding of the ramifications of this day. No doubt, he has never been amongst such a huge crowd and most likely, he has mixed feelings of excitement as well as overwhelm. His working class parents; Mother pushing a pram flanked by his older brother, and Father holding firmly to the bike, have their attention firmly focussed on the scene that is playing out in front of them.

In the background stands the United Services Hotel. Guests have come out to stand on the terraces to enjoy the revelling scene. Others have thrown up the sash windows to have a better view and hear the joyous sounds of the celebration below. A tram pulls up, full of revellers ready to disembark, beside a banner which reads “For Our Naval Heros. Appeal Ends 30 November”.

The medicine depot in Cathedral Square where the Government standard influenza medicine was supplied, 1918. Source: The Weekly Press, 4 Dec. 1918, p. 26. Image: Christchurch City Libraries File Reference CCL PhotoCD 2, IMG0050

Huge crowds had gathered in Auckland’s centre on November 8th after false rumours that the armistice had already been signed. After witnessing the vast crowds who had gathered, the District Health Officer, Doctor Frenley cancelled any gatherings to prevent a dangerous flu called the Spanish Influenza being spread after its arrival in the country a month earlier. Christchurch authorities ignored warnings allowing the celebration to take precedence. Christchurch was then hit hard with a huge outbreak.  It did not help that Canterbury’s Show Week and the races of Carnival Week were allowed to continue that week, enabling the flu to spread further. Between October and December, another 8,600 New Zealanders were killed, this time during peace time.