The news first reached Rushden through the medium of the “Evening Telegraph.” Mr. C. G. Jowitt, of the “Argus” Office, Rushden, was spending the day in Kettering, and, hearing the news in the morning, naturally thought of his fellow-townsmen in Rushden. Remembering that Mr. J. S. Clipson, vice-chairman of the Urban Council, had the telephone fixed in his house, he rang up that gentleman, and gave him the official news. Mr. Clipson at once took steps for spreading the tidings, and in a very short time the town was ringing with the news. He first posted the information on the board outside the “Argus” Office, and, though the street was comparatively deserted at the time, within ten minutes a large crowd had assembled, and great enthusiasm prevailed. The bells of the church were rung, and the Volunteer and Mission bands gave musical expression to the general feeling of rejoicing. An extra-special edition of the “Telegraph” issued early on Monday morning, sold rapidly, and the whole town was a scene of rejoicing. The school children were promptly given a day’s holiday, which added to the gaiety of the scene, whilst flags in every direction testified to the preparation that had been made to mark the event. The whole length of the High-street was a blaze of colour, whilst from a large number of houses throughout the town emblems were also flying. It quickly became evident that the people of Rushden were bent upon signalising the advent of the peace so long desired. Up to noon several factories kept at work, but after that hour very few hands indeed were employed in their accustomed task. The business establishments also closed, and the whole place soon presented a holiday aspect. Crowds thronged the street, colours and favours being almost universally worn, whilst the younger portion of the populace gave expression to the dominant feeling in a variety of ways. The march out of the O Company of the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Northants Regiment attracted much attention. The company turned out nearly at full strength, under Lieut. Claridge and Col.-Sergt. Instructor Bettles, whilst at the head walked a number of men in khaki, also the veteran figure of a retired soldier, Sergt. and Drum-Major Bateman, formerly of the 3rd or Duke of Wellington’s Own Regiment, proudly wearing some half a dozen medals. Headed by the Rifle Band, the company marched down Newton-road, along the High-street, accompanied by a large crowd. Reaching Higham Ferrers, that town was passed through and a brief halt was made at Chelveston-road. After a number of evolutions had been gone through, the march was resumed for the return journey. Another incident of the afternoon was the appearance of a string band near the church, where a large ring was formed and dancing was heartily indulged in, whilst an ever-increasing crowd thronged the streets.

But the chief item of interest was reserved for the evening, when parade and torchlight processions were carried out in capital style. Mr. R. Marriott’s field near the station was placed at the disposal of the committee, and soon after eight o’clock a large crowd began to gather in its vicinity, great interest being taken in the arrival of the various contingents taking part in the parade. Capt. Knight and Secretary Turner, of the Fire Brigade, took a most active part in the organisation and marshalling of the pageant, and their efforts were ably seconded by Lieut. Claridge, of the Volunteer Co., Superintendent Cave, of the Ambulance Corps, and by the townspeople generally. When the preparations were completed torches were lit and the march commenced. First came seven or eight gentlemen mounted on horseback, attired in fancy costumes and representing different parts of the Empire. Next followed the Rifle Band, playing at the outset the lively strains of “Rule Britannia,” followed by nearly every member of the Volunteer Company under the command of Lieut. Claridge. Succeeding them came about 40 members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, under Supt. Cave, First Officer Swindall, Sergts. Knight and Wright, and Corpl. Prigmore. The company included over a dozen who had seen service in the front. Next came a brake containing the chairman, vice-chairman and the whole of the members of the Urban Council, and immediately afterwards the manual of the Fire Brigade, illuminated with lighted torches. Then came a string of comic characters, decorated vehicles, conspicuous being representations of Kruger, “Bobs,” and other public characters, whilst a wagon covered with a large Japanese umbrella and gay with Chinese lanterns, a flower chariot, an ancient “velocipede,” a boy on a pony representing the Commander-in-Chief, and other characters attracted considerable attention. The Temperance Band brought up the rear, playing the well-known strains of “The Dublin Fusiliers” at the outset. The firemen acted as torch-bearers, their bright helmets adding to the effectiveness of the scene. Whilst dozens of other torch-bearers were ranged along each side of the entire length of the procession. The High-street was lined on both sides with a cheering crowd, and the scene presented was a most picturesque and animated one. A brilliant searchlight was directed upon the scene from the premises of Mr. Powell, photographer, and coloured lights were burnt at the “Argus” office and neighbouring premises. A special cheer was given for a number of nursing sisters of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, who were drawn up in a line, attired in nursing costume near the end of College-street. When the head of the procession reached the church a halt was made, and selections of music were rendered by the bands as the rest of the procession continued along High-street South. The Temperance Band halted at the bottom of Newton-road, and continued to play selections. On the return of the procession another halt was made. Cheers were given for Generals Buller, Roberts, Kitchener, and others. The police, under Inspector Onan, rendered admirable service in marshalling the procession and in keeping the route clear. The High-street at this time appeared to be one living mass of humanity, the swaying and the cheering crowds presenting a remarkable scene under the flickering light of the torches. The Rifle Band played the National Anthem, and the procession disbanded. Afterwards the Temperance Band played for dancing on the Green, whilst the bells of the Parish Church rang out merrily. Various places of business along the line of the route were illuminated, the device attracting most attention being the word “Peace” wrought in fairy lamps across the premises of Mr. Geo. Miller, ironmonger.