“It is too probable that most of us were, on Nov. 11th, 1918, as unprepared for peace, as we were for war on August 4th, 1914.” (Acadia Athenaeum, January 1919, 63)

J. Harold ‘Hal’ Manning, Class of 1920, wrote those remarkable words under the title “Peace” in his editorial for the student newspaper. He knew war well. His brother, Frederick, died of wounds received at Vimy Ridge. Hal himself was severely injured in the Vimy attack and returned home on a hospital ship. He continues the editorial with, “The war seemed likely to continue through another winter at least. Many of us were ready to accept that likelihood, and shelve the vital questions that peace would bring. Yet as in a moment, peace has come and is here among us whether we are prepared for it or not.” (63)

Folklore tells us that the campus was poised for an armistice days before November 11th (a topic on which I have written before for the centennial). When the long-awaited message finally reached campus, the campus erupted in celebration.

For this Remembrance Day article, I have chosen not to write a fictional story to start the blog. Out of respect for those who experienced this war first-hand, I choose to include their words about the campus’ Armistice celebrations rather than use my own words.

What follows are transcriptions of articles from the campus newspapers. To help illustrate the events of November 11, 1918, I inserted a few images from the Archives. Those images were not included in the original articles.

From the Acadia Bulletin of December 1918 on page 1, for which no author is attributed:

PEACE

        As the students have taken a large part in the war so they were proportionately enthusiastic about the signing of the armistice. At Acadia we had one false alarm and we were all prepared when the time came. At 5.30 on Monday, November 11th, the news of the signing of the armistice was received and immediately the college bell pealed out the news to the town and the hill. At six o’clock on that morning the total student body of the three institutions met in the college chapel for a thanksgiving service. It was short but impressive and the day was well started. At nine the students with friends from the town met around the flag pole and later went to Assembly Hall where addresses were made by different professors and students, amid outbursts of enthusiasm from the well filled hall. At twelve o’clock the students and the town people met in the churches where services were held. At 2.30 a procession was formed near the railway station and paraded through town. At eight o’clock in the evening a monster bonfire, for which the students has been preparing all day, was started on the campus, and as this burned down amid the explosion of fire works and the dancing of young people around the fire the official celebration for the day ended. On Tuesday morning we returned to our work.

From the Acadia Athenaeum of January 1918 on page 75 and 76, for which no author is attributed:

Peace Celebrations

AT 5.30 Monday morning, November 11th, 1918, the students of the three institutions were awakened by the ringing of the college bell, announcing the signing of the Armistice. At 6 o’clock, no doubt the most impressive Thanksgiving service in the history of Acadia, was held in the Assembly Hall, led by Dr. Cutten. Almost the entire student body was present.

        Classes were, of course, suspended for the day. At 9 o’clock the student body met in College Hall, where they joined heartily in singing patriotic songs, under the leadership of Mr. McAvoy. After the singing we were addressed by a number of the professors, each one speaking on behalf on one of the Allied nations.

        At three o’clock the whole student body lined up at the station and joined with the town people in a grand parade. In the evening a huge bonfire, prepared by the students, was held on campus. A prominent feature of the bonfire was the burning of a large effigy of “Kaiser Bill,” especially prepared for the occasion by the engineers. A large supply of sky rockets and other fire works added to the celebration. A most enjoyable game of “Tucker” around the bonfire was a great source of amusement for all. The boys completed the grand day of celebration with a Stag Party, held in the Willett Hall club Room. The entire celebration was a complete success in every way and was well carried out without damage to any person or property.

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