?Childrens Christmas party for children who lost fathers in World War One

A great deal of history is written on the subject of World War One. People are aware of the battles that took place - Vimy Ridge, The Somme etc. Little is written about the lasting effects of this war. A simple fact being that nearly 350 children were left fatherless in Scarborough alone. These poor children may have faced a bleak christmas were it not for a party held at the Olympia in January 1920. 350 children and 183 mothers came to the event. The mothers were personally welcomed by the mayor and mayoress. The event won the sympathy of the whole of the town. Trams were even laid on by the local tramway company.

The children sat quietly appreciating the music provided by the "Jazzabits" until they heard a song that they recognised. Then they sang their little hearts out to "Abe, my boy." Knowing all the words to the song they would have been quite content to sing it all afternoon.

All the time the event was watched by subscribers who had paid for the event. They looked down from the balcony knowing that their money was being well spent. Nearly four hundred pounds was raised as the town rallied round to show that these children were NOT FORGOTTEN.

The entertainment continued with Professor Ducarel. He started off with a performance of Punch and Judy. Then he performed some conjuring tricks which slightly bemused and bewildered the younger children. But he soon captured the audience again with his ventriloquist dummy.

Then the Mayor made a moving speech mentioning the sacrifice the children's fathers had made. They been "filled with determination that we should never as a people be under the thraldom of the brutal Hun." The audience applauded and later Miss Renee Nelson sang patriotic songs "Rule Brittania" and the National Anthem.

But in the true tradition of saving the best till last out stepped Santa Claus. He was lit up by a projector. Father Christmas (better known as Mr H Froggart) was accompanied by a fairy waving her wand (Miss D Elliot) and a little red indian ( Master Joey Whitaker). The children gathered around the large Christmas tree in the middle of the room expectantly.

Toys were given out to suit the childrens age. A boy of 11 to 13 might receive Jules Vernes book "From earth to the moon", a 6 to 7 year old boy might receive wheelbarrow, and 6 year old girl might receive a dolls tea service.

Each child was also given an apple, an orange, a packet of sweets, some nuts, a cracker and a shiny shilling. In addition each child was given a useful item such as some gloves, some stockings, some socks with mending wool, a wooly muffler, or a hanky.

For many of these children they would remember the event for many years. The event was even caught on camera with a flash photographer taking pictures. Each mother received a copy of the photo.

Source Scarborough Mercury, 2nd January, 1920.