Journal Items

Researching the past

Then and Now

Test your knowledge !

FAQs

Your Questions

Personal Histories

Gallery

HERITAGE

The Quarterly Journal of Sittingbourne Heritage Museum

"Our Christmas celebrations are overshadowed by the war but it is still a time of good cheer and confidence in our cause.

A Christmas Message

"It is not easy to find words suitable to the occasion but I hope it will be possible during this Christmastide for all to hear some strains of that immortal song which the Angels still sing “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, goodwill towards men.

"I hope too that the children will have their Christmas, just the happy time we ourselves so much enjoyed in our childhood and it may be that this provision will afford us, if only a partial, yet a pardonable forgetfulness of much which falls upon us nowadays. There are things however, to quicken gratitude. The sympathy and courage of our King, the wisdom of our rulers and the ability of our Military and Naval leaders, the solidarity of our National Life and the splendid strength of our Empire.

"Within our Urban District the best prevails. An excellent percentage of our young men have both heard and heeded the call to active service. The grace of generosity has manifested itself in many ways:  with us are the wounded and the refugees, receiving nursing and nourishment, and a strong Special Constabulary Force is constantly at work ably assisting in the preservation of peace and ready always for the protection of life and property. Work is moreover plentiful so also is food. Let us be thankful and assured.

"Our mercies are many ,the cause for which we are at war is right  and God defends the right. In our midst are many hearts beating in deepest sympathy with those whose loved ones are at the fighting front or who have perchance fallen wounded or even dead. That the Divine Evangel may abide this Christmastide with those bereaved and anxious ones, and with us all, is the prayer of

G.ANDREWS

Chairman Sittingbourne UDC

December 1914

Christmas Cheer

Port at 6p a quart could be guaranteed to keep Grandma happy and Family Stout at 15p for  dozen bottles would enable most thirsts to be quenched.

It was a busy time for everybody, although the holiday only consisted of Christmas Day and Boxing Day with many having to work at least part of Christmas Day, the Postmen for example.

Christmas Mail

During a normal week, Sittingbourne Post Office handled about  2400 parcels and 98,000 letters cards and packets. Figures for the Christmas period 1913 show that in the week before Christmas the Office handled over 9000 parcels and 343,000 letters and cards. 2500 postal orders were issued and paid and sons and daughters overseas sent colonial money orders to the value of £300.

On Christmas morning, the postmen who had been occupied from the early hours preparing mail for delivery, were provided with refreshment before setting out with their heavy loads. Most had finished before noon.

For the Children

Perhaps the 1914 equivalent of Toys R us was Messrs. F. Cleaver of Sittingbourne who advertised dolls prams, motor cars, wheelbarrows, trains, printing outfits, aeroplanes, battleships, soldiers, harmless rifles and pistols and swings. A visit to Santa in his grotto does not appear to have been part of the Sittingbourne scene.

Messrs. John Peters & Sons were being eminently practical.

There was a war on you know!

Out and about  

Want a change from the house, the washing up and grandma constantly saying that Christmas is not like it was when she was small; children today are spoilt.

The Queen’s Cinema had a seasonal programme. Further afield, the South Eastern and Chatham Railway were running an ordinary Sunday Service on Christmas Day with certain extra trains. On Boxing Day there would be excursions to London. Fare 2/6d, returning about midnight.