In 2019, Abingdon celebrated the centenary of a fascinating piece of primary historical evidence, a town treasure of the modern era, a piece of film footage made in the town centre in 1919. 

It was the end of the First World War, the most devastating self-inflicted humanitarian disaster that had ever been known. From the ceasefire of November 1918, to the signing of the Versailles Treaty in June 1919, demobilisation had at last gathered pace. Women began to leave their wartime employment, to make room for the men to take back their jobs. As Belgian refugees considered whether to return home and permanently wounded ex-servicemen tried out prosthetic limbs and adjusted to a new life of disability, Abingdon staged a Homecoming Parade, a “Carnival of Affection” for the returning troops and a ceremony of remembrance for the “Glorious Dead”.

The events of that day, 4th August 1919, included a parade down Stert Street, the Mayor’s address in the Market Place, another parade to The Square, a march-past and laying of wreaths, flowers and branches at a temporary memorial, and a lunch at the Corn Exchange for all the men. Throughout the day a camera rolled and someone put together a fascinating film. Today we still have ten minutes of good quality footage which depict the people and places in rich and truthful detail.

In September 2019 the film was the centrepiece of a Heritage Festival which sought to recreate some of the events of the day, to understand and learn more about the times that those people were living through, and to expand on the themes that the film raises.

The former Superdrug shop in Bury Street was reopened for ten days as an interpretation centre explaining the film, highlighting key points and delving into the background. If you missed it take a look at the Exhibition pages of this website where we are trying to recreate the exhibition materials as webpages.

On the weekend of Saturday 21st Abingdon Market Place was the setting for a small recreation of the Homecoming events of 100 years ago and a chance to enjoy costumes, songs, food and customs from the era. If you weren't able to join us on the day you can still spot friends and neighbours in their Edwardian finery on our Gallery page.

The film was shown to a cinema audience for probably the first time in 99 years and an interpretative documentary was shown alongside the film.

The centenary celebrations are over but the project still breathes: our research work continues, mainly because we were enjoying it so much and feel sure we will find out more if we keep digging.