MASSIVE celebrations were held in July 1919 as people across Britain marked the end of the First World War.

The nation had already celebrated after hostilities came to an end in November 2018. And they took to the streets again for Peace Day, on July 19 three weeks after the Treaty of Versailles.

In Ilkley the celebrations took place over two days, with crowds thronging into town to enjoy a parade and assorted entertainment.

Nearly 700 ex-servicemen sat down to tea in the Kings’s Hall and Winter Gardens, and the evening’s celebrations included dancing and whist.

The town’s children were also treated to tea thanks to the generosity of wool merchant Sidney Kellett, from Middleton Lodge.

The Ilkley Gazette recorded:”Saturday was the day set apart for celebrating Victory and Peace, after a war that has paled into insignificance all previous catastrophes of a like nature ion the word’s history. It has cost much in sacrifice and effort of every kind, and has left huge scars of sorrow and suffering; yet the future welfare of our country and all other countries has been safe-guarded in the only way possible.”

Postcard pictures of the celebrations are published courtesy of Sally Gunton.

An exhibition about Ilkley’s Peace Celebration and the Treaty of Versailles is on display at The Manor House until July 28, from 11am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The Manor House is also staging a display about life in Ilkley during the First Word War.