In 1924 services commemorating the end of World War 1 in 1918 were different to the ones we experience today because the war had so recently ended.

In Kirkwall a service was held in the United Free Church, Victoria Street, where a large congregation from many denominations attended. Also in attendance were ex-servicemen, as well as those of the mercantile marine and lighthouse keepers.

No service uniforms were worn but medals were. The parade was led by Stromness Town Band.

In his address to the congregation the Rev Christie made an appeal about the League of Nations. The League of Nations  was founded on 10 January 1920 by the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War.  The League’s primary goals were stated in its eponymous Covenant. They included preventing wars through collective security and disarmament and settling international disputes through negotiation and arbitration.

Rev Christie said:

“Our grateful remembrance is incomplete unless we are inspired by that hope of a warless world, which through their great endurance and sacrifice has been embodied in the League of Nations.

“At least it is a very glorious and desirable hope – no more war, no more conscription, no more men to be killed, no more to be mangled, no more to be poisoned with deadly gases, no more to be blinded, the boyhood and girlhood of the world to be retrieved – who will say a word against such a deliverance.”

“I appeal to each of you ex-servicemen, who know more of the horrors of war than you ever care to tell, to fling the weight of your influence on the side of this mighty and hopeful idea.

“You would shudder if any child you loved were destined to pass through the inferno of war.”

After the service the parade marched to the newly erected war memorial which had only been unveiled on 17th October 1923. A wreath was laid. The Last Post sounded across the town and finally the Flowers of the Forest.

The War Memorial in Kirkwall has changed since that first design from 1923 as World War 2 and other conflicts resulted in more service personnel being killed. The Second World War Memorial was unveiled 6th June 1953 by Mrs Annie Tait, whose two sons are commemorated on the memorial (information from Brian Budge).

The report in The Orkney Herald of 12th of November 1924 hoped that the Armistice service would become an annual affair.

Fiona Grahame