A Game Sustained

121 hostilities ceased on 11 November 1918. The news spread rapidly. In Wakefield, places of work closed immediately and in Doncaster the Mayor made an announcement in the police court and walked down to the Mansion House, where he repeated the news to cheering crowds. In York, the Minster bells were rung and an enormous congregation attended a service. In towns and villages around the county people flooded out of offices and workshops, and schools closed immediately. In Leeds, men and women in overalls poured out of the munitions factories. Long queues formed outside shops selling flags until they ran out, and pieces of ribbon were then cut up and handed out instead. In Leeds, one newsvendor was heard shouting, “Result of the war!” and the paper’s headline was simply ‘Germany All Out’ – cricket terminology again being used. A wave of emotion was released and celebrations broke out. People rode the buses for free, flags were waved, large crowds gathered and street parties were held. There was widespread drunkenness. For many there was just relief and disbelief, as well as a great sadness and sense of loss, which would live with them for the rest of their lives. Struggling through to the end: 1918