A “Peace” of Batley History

The medal below is a piece of Batley history. 

One side indicates why the medal was produced. It says it is:

TO COMMEMORATE THE VICTORIOUS CONCLUSION OF THE GREAT WAR

The other side, with the town’s coat of arms, gives the date of presentation and by whom, with the words 

PRESENTED BY ALD. D. STUBLEY MAYOR OF BATLEY • 1919 •

The reason for the medal is therefore clear – to commemorate the ending of the First World War. 

But who was the medal presented to? How many were presented? And when was the presentation made?

This piece will answer these questions, and more.

In the weeks and months after the Armistice, thoughts at a national level were turning to how to mark the signing of the final peace treaty. It was a difficult issue given many families up and down the country were grieving, or had loved ones permanently maimed, and discharged veterans were flooding home to face uncertain futures. Celebrations would be hard for many. Which in part explains why the Government decision was delayed for several months.

In early April 1919 the Batley Corporation Town Clerk, Joseph Hanson Craik, wrote to the local MP, Gerald France, to see if the Government had any timing information on the likely signing of “Peace.” Also to find out when there would be any indication of the lead from London about the nature of celebrations to mark it. The answer came back that it was all still pending.1

But the Corporation recognised they needed to get on with preparations in advance of this final decision from government. It proved a wise move. It was not until the beginning of July 1919, after the 28 June 1919 signing of the Treaty of Versailles, that the Government made the formal announcement that 19 July 1919 would be designated National Peace Day, and a Bank Holiday. 

It meant July was a frenetic period of activity for Batley Corporation and the Peace Celebration Committee. They designated the Batley Borough peace celebrations were to be held between 17 and 22 July 1919, with – in addition to the 19 July national Bank Holiday – the 21 and 22 July designated as general holidays locally. A series of events were planned. These included schools’ events scheduled for 17 July, as this was the day the elementary schools broke up for the summer holiday.

As far back as March 1919 Town Clerk Craik was setting wheels in motion for these school events, compiling estimates of the number of scholars on the roll in Batley. 

The schools in the Borough were:

  • Batley Parish C.E.
  • Brownhill C.E.
  • Carlinghow.
  • Field Lane.
  • Healey.
  • Park Road.
  • Purlwell.
  • St Mary’s R.C.
  • Staincliffe C.E.
  • Warwick Road.
  • Gregory Street.
  • Hanging Heaton.
  • Mill Lane. 
  • Boys’ Grammar. 
  • Girls’ Grammar.

On 23 March Batley Corporation calculated numbers on the roll stood at 5,610, split between 5,200 elementary scholars, 190 at the Boys Grammar School and 220 at the Girls Grammar School. There was also an estimated 210 teachers, of which 187 were at Elementary Schools. The Education Committee Returns of School Attendance for the month of April 1919 supported the Elementary roll figure.

The breakdown of numbers for St Mary’s, the school I am particularly interested in and which forms part of my one-place study, was as follows:

St Mary’s RCAccommodationNumber on RollActual AttendanceAverage AttendancePer Cent Attendance
Boys9611010810191.4
Mixed31024124122492.8
Infants1691251199780.1
Total57547646842289.2
Batley Education Committee – Returns of School Attendance for the Month of April, 1919 for St Mary’s RC School

You will need to scroll across if you cannot see the full table on your screen. 

Part of the reason for collating school children numbers was the decision that each school child would be presented with a token to mark peace. Options investigated included children’s Peace Celebration commemoration cards, and the Educational Publishing Company’s ‘Victory’ peace souvenir books, of which they produced three versions tailored to age. But in the end Batley Borough went with a commemorative Peace Medal.

In April 1919 medal and badge makers, including J.R. Gaunt and Son of London and Birmingham’s Meer Jones & Co., were contacted about their Peace Medal designs, with quotes being sought for a tentative quantity of between 5,500 to 6,000 medals. In the end the order went to Fattorini, and for two designs – one for schoolchildren and the other for teachers. The medal is one those presented to a Batley schoolchild.

Charles Holt, Market Inspector and Town Hall Keeper, had the unenviable task of counting the medals once they arrived in early July. On 12 July 1919 the Town Clerk confirmed to the Mayor:

Mr. Holt has counted up and checked the Scholars Medals (white metal) and has returned the number delivered by Messrs. Fattorini as 6006. I have since received a further box from Fattorini containing Bronze Oxydized Medals with silk cord suspenders. The number of these has been checked by Mr. Holt and he returns same as 255. From a Return furnished to me this morning by Mr. Elliott there would appear to be including the 2 Grammar Schools, 5950 scholars on the Register and 191 Teachers.2

The final July 1919 tally for medals for St Mary’s was 112 boys and three teachers, 145 infants and four teachers, and 244 mixed with eight teachers. 

By 11 July Batley Education Committee were able to finalise the 17 July Peace Celebration for schools. The schools were given a timetable for the Thursday morning mayoral Commemorative Peace Medal visit, with the times firmed up in a further letter on 13 July. 

In a precise schedule, St Mary’s children had a five-minute slot for their mayoral visit between 11.19 and 11.24, sandwiched between Carlinghow and Batley Parish schools. The children were to be assembled in the school yard ready and waiting at the appointed time wearing their medals. So no personal medal presentation by the mayor to each child. 

In the afternoon of 17 July a tea was provided across the schools, capped at one shilling per head. As it was thought unlikely Infants Departments would reach that sum, they were also provided with sweets amounting to around 3d per child. For Senior Departments it was recommended after tea an additional bun should be given to each child. And in a period of post-war shortages, in order to obtain sugar for the tea, teachers made applications to the local Food Controller with details of numbers and the retailer from which the school wanted to purchase their supply.

Afterwards a Children’s Sports event was held at Mount Pleasant, commencing at 5.45.

It was decreed:

The children of each Department should be arranged four abreast according to height, the smaller children in advance, and marched through the main entrance to the Football Ground in time to be in their places on the Ground at 5.50 p.m. prompt…Please request the children to bring their hand flags.3

Verses from the hymn “O God, our help in ages past” were then to be sung, before the children took up their places in school groups round the field. 

The Children’s’ Peace Sports programme of events schedule was:

  1. Flat Race. 100 yards. Boys. 15 and over. 1 heat run as final.
  2. Flat Race. 100 yards. Girls. 15 and over. 1 heat run as final.
  3. Flat Race. 80 yards. Boys. 7 to 9 years. 3 heats.
  4. Running Skipping Race. 60 yards. Girls. Under 10. Heats.
  5. Tug of War – Team of 8 boys per school. Those age 13 and over prior to 1 May 1919 could not complete. Heats 1 and 2. Lots were drawn and Brownhill, St Mary’s and Carlinghow had byes.
  6. Plant Pot Race. 15 yards. Girls. Age over 13. 3 heats and finals.
  7. Flat Race. 100 yards. Boys. 9 to 12. 2 heats.
  8. Running Skipping Race. 80 yards. Girls. 10 to 13. 3 heats.
  9. Wheelbarrow Race. 35 yards. Boys. Open age. 3 heats.
  10. Potato Race . 60 yards. Girls. Under 10. 3 heats. 6 potatoes to be collected, spaced two yards apart.
  11. Flat Race. 100 yards. Boys. 12 and over. 3 heats.
  12. Charlie Chaplin Competition – Judging of Competitors.
  13. Potato Race. 80 yards. Girls. 10 to 13. 3 heats.
  14. Tug-of-War semi-final.
  15. Pillow Fight on Poles. Boys. Ages between 13 and 14. Rounds 1 and 2. Semi-final and final.
  16. Obstacle Races. Boys. Open age. 3 heats and final.
  17. Egg and Spoon Race. 100 yards. Girls. Open age. 3 heats. Desert spoons and pot eggs to be provided by the competitors.
  18. Flat Race. 100 yards. Boys. 13 to 15. 3 heats.
  19. Flat Race. 100 yards. Girls. 13 to 15. 3 heats.
  20. Wheelbarrow Race. 35 yards. Boys. Open age. Final.
  21. Week-End Race. 60 yards. Girls. Open age. 3 heats.
  22. Sack Race. Boys. Open age. 3 heats.
  23. Flat Race. 80 yards. Boys. 7 to 9. Final.
  24. Running Skipping Race. 60 yards. Girls. Under 10. Final.
  25. Tug-of-War. Boys. Final.
  26. Week-End Race. 60 yards. Girls. Open age. Final.
  27. Flat Race. Boys. 100 yards. 9 to 12. Final.
  28. Running Skipping Races. 80 yards. Girls. 10 to 13. Final.
  29. Potato Race. 60 yards. Girls. Under 10. Final.
  30. Potato Race. 80 yards. Girls. 10 to 13. Final.
  31. Flat Race. 100 yards. Boys. 12 and over. Final.
  32. Egg and Spoon Races. 100 yards. Girls. Open age. Final.
  33. Flat Race. 100 Yards. Boys. 13 to 15. Final.
  34. Flat Race. 100 Yards. Girls. 13 to 15. Final.
  35. Sack Race. Boys. Final.

Although distances are in imperial measurements, many of the events are similar to those of a 21st century school sports days. But others were of the time, for example the reference to Charlie Chaplin. 

The plant-pot race is an unfamiliar one today. The entrants had to bring two earthenware plant pots, size optional. They had to travel the race distance standing on these pots. If competitors fell off their pots, or touched the ground with their feet, they had to commence again from the starting point. 

The Week-End race is another which may need explanation. For this each competitor had to bring a hat and jacket in a parcel. This was laid in-field 20 yards from the starting point. The competitor had to run to the parcel, put on the clothes, run a further 20 yards, disrobe and tie the hat and jacket back up in the parcel, then run the final 20 yards as a flat race. 

The child age limits for the races were age as of 1 May. Each school was to send two competitors for each event, (excluding the Tug of War and Grammar School designated events). Grammar school events were essentially those for ages 15 and over, and to some extent 13-15 – though Elementary School children fulfilling this latter age criteria could enter. Prizes were awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Perhaps the books and commemorative cards looked into earlier by the Corporation ended up forming these prizes.

The Batley Old Band were booked to provide musical entertainment. Morris dancers and other side-shows, including a Punch and Judy show, a ventriloquist and a conjurer, were laid on. These moved about the ground so all the children could view the performances. The general public were be welcomed to join the festivities after 6pm. Thousands took up the offer, with “not a dull moment from start to finish.”4

The Batley News of 19 July 1919 gives some brief details about the schoool’s events of 17 July. The piece reads:

Yesterday some six thousand school children enjoyed the Mayor’s hospitality. His Worship visited the schools in the morning and addressed the scholars, and commemoration medals were given teachers and children. In the afternoon the elder scholars proceeded to the football field at Mount Pleasant, where sports were enjoyed and an interesting gala, with fire balloons and a band concert. The junior scholars were entertained on their own school premises.

The Batley Reporter provided more information:

The children have been excitedly anticipating the event for many days and they had a right royal time. In the morning the Mayor (Alderman D. Stubley), accompanied by the Mayoress (Mrs. John Stubley)….visited every school in the borough, and at each school there was was an interesting and picturesque ceremony. The children, wearing the neat commemorative medal presented to each scholar by the Mayor, were marshalled in the playground, and they greeted most enthusiastically the arrival of the Mayor and Mayoress. There was flag-waving, singing and cheers, and many other interesting incidents at many of the schools, but as the Mayor and Mayoress were only able to spend five minutes at each place the proceedings were necessarily short. The Mayor personally presented a commemorative medal to each teacher and addressed a few appropriate words to the assembled scholars. The Mayoress received quite a number of beautiful bouquets, and before the end of the tour the Mayor’s motor-car was lavishly adorned with lovely flowers.

In the afternoon the children re-assembled at their respective schools, where they were regaled with tea, as the guests of the Mayor. Afterwards the scholars of the upper schools, including the pupils at the two Grammar schools, marched in procession to the football field at Mount Pleasant, where they assembled en masse for the singing, under the conductorship of Mr. J. Chapman, of three verses of “O God, our Help in ages past” and the National Anthem. Afterwards, the children simply revelled in the sports, for which prizes were provided by the Mayor.5

The complete list of children participating in the sports day does not feature in either newspaper. I do however have names of some of the participants, provided to the Education Committee in advance of the event. Unfortunately, because it was a preliminary list, it is very sketchy. Focusing on my one-place study, these are the St Mary’s names submitted:

  • Flat Race – Boys – 7-9: St Mary’s names not provided.
  • Running Skipping Race – Girls – Under 10: St Mary’s names not provided.
  • Plant Pot Race – Girls – St Mary’s names not provided.
  • Flat Race – Boys – 9-12: T. Carrey [I suspect this is a mis-spelling of Carney] and J. W. Levvitt. 
  • Running Skipping Race – Girls – Over 10 – St Mary’s names not provided.
  • Wheelbarrow Race – Boys – Open Age – R. Dewhirst/T. Judge and H. Hardy/E. Power.
  • Potato Race – Girls – Under 10 – St Mary’s names not provided.
  • Flat Race – Boys – 12 and over – G. Delaney and J. Lumb.
  • Charlie Chaplin – P. Howley.
  • Potato Race – Girls – Over 10 – St Mary’s names not provided.
  • Pillow Fight on Poles – Boys – L. Cassidy.
  • Obstacle Races – Boys – Open Age – J. Maloney and N. Gavaghan. 
  • Egg and Spoon Race – Girls – St Mary’s names not provided.
  • Flat Race – Boys – 13 to 15 – J. Lyons and M. Howley.
  • Flat Race – Girls – 13 to 15 – No St Mary’s entry.
  • Week-End Races – Girls – Open Age – St Mary’s names not provided.
  • Sack Race – Boys – Open Age – W. Bottomley and T. Kilkenny.

And the Batley Reporter and Guardian did provide a full list of the winners of the various events.6 It is rather lengthy, so again I will focus on my St Mary’s one-place study. In the Girls’ races:

  • T. Murphy was amongst the Under 10 Skipping Race heat qualifiers, finishing 3rd in the final.
  • M. Hopkins and N. Moran were amongst the heat qualifiers in the Plant Pot Race, but did not finish in the final first three.
  • N. Monaghan was amongst the Under 10 Potato Race qualifiers, but for some reason the final was not run.

In the Boys’ events:

  • J. W. Lev[v]itt qualified for the final of the 100 yards Flat Race.
  • J. Lyons came third in the 100 yards Flat Race for ages 13 to 15.
  • W. Bottomley was amongst the Sack Race qualifiers, finishing second in the final.

Finally school log books give more clues of the day’s events. Although there was no reference to it in the St Mary’s Infant School log book, the St Mary’s Boys’ Department entry for 17 July 1919 read:

Peace celebrations in school. Visit of the Mayor and Mayoress and presentation to the schoolchildren of medals to commemorate Peace. School closed at noon for the Midsummer Holidays.7

The Mixed Department log book gave more details:

School closes this day at noon for the Midsummer holidays. School visited this morning by the Mayor and Mayoress of Batley. Medals were given to the children in commemoration of the Victorious conclusion of the Great War.

A tea party will be given in the afternoon, and sports will be held in the cricket field.8

As I said, the school’s event was only one part of the celebrations. Other events included a parade, entertainment and fireworks, a military sports afternoon, a mayoral function for discharged and disabled sailors and soldiers and repatriated prisoner of war, an “Old Folks Tea” hosted by the Mayoress, and a similar one for the mothers of the Batley Maternity and Child Welfare Centre. All these events were finalised within days of the government’s Peace Day confirmation. And in the pre-computer and internet era, and with even telephone in its early years, the co-ordination, pace and organisation on display by Batley Corporation is something to admire.

To conclude, if you have one of the medals illustrated it was one of 5,950 presented to the school children of Batley on 17 July 1919 to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Versailles marking the official end of the Great War. Or possibly one of the 56 spare medals.

Finally, if anyone has one of the medal presented to teachers, I would love to be able to add an image of it to this post. 

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Footnotes:
1. Exchange of letters between Joseph H. Craik and Gerald A. France, M.P., dated 4 and 7 April 1919.
2. Draft of letter from Batley Town Clerk, Joseph H. Craik, to the Mayor, dated 12 July 1919.
3. Batley Education Committee letter to schools, dated 11 July 1919.
4. Batley Reporter and Guardian, 25 July 1919.
5. Batley Reporter and Guardian, 18 July 1919.
6. Batley Reporter and Guardian, 25 July 1919.
7. St Mary’s Boys’ School log book.
8. St Mary’s School Mixed Department log book.

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