The Great War soldiers return home and arrive at Dereham Train Station as part of the Dereham Peace Day. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)
Crowds gathered on Saturday to watch the parade of soldiers, dressed in period costume, as they arrived at the Mid Norfolk Railway in Dereham as part of the town's Peace Day.
The soldiers greeted family members and other local characters from the time, just as they did 100 years ago in 1919 when peace was celebrated at the end of the Great War.
The Great War soldiers return home and arrive at Dereham Train Station as part of the Dereham Peace Day. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)
Charlie Robinson, chairman of the Mid Norfolk Railway said: "When the came to me and told me their idea I said yes straight away.
"It looks brilliant today, it has come together really nicely and looked great."
The Great War soldiers return home and arrive at Dereham Train Station and are greeted by local people from 1919 as part of the Dereham Peace Day. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)
A guard of honour was arranged by the Royal British Legion (RBL) for the acting soldiers, along with current soldiers from the Army base in Swanton Morley.
Peace Day organiser Judy Rogers said: "Last year people were focusing on the missing and forgotten soldiers with a lot of silhouettes, and I wanted to put a twist on that.
The First World War soldiers and Queens Dragoon Guards at Dereham Train Station as part of the Dereham Peace Day. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)
"That is why we had soldiers who are currently serving at Swanton Morley here, it brings everything full circle."
The RBL then led a marching parade into the town's Market Place. Crowds from the station followed the parade.
Standard bearers march through town during Dereham Peace Day. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)
A Peace Day service took place at St Nicholas Church, which was attended by the 1919 visitors, soldiers and invited guests, including the families of men whose names appear on Dereham's war memorial and families of men who survived the Great War.
Mrs Rogers said: "I was actually hoping for rain as on that day in 1919, it was pouring down."
The Great War soldiers return home at Dereham Train Station as part of the Dereham Peace Day. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)
The Baptist Church also gave out a special copy of Luke's account of the story of Jesus's life to 100 children as they did on the original day.
Cowper Congregational Church in the Market Place was decorated and members gave out free refreshments to people during the day.
The Great War soldiers return home at Dereham Train Station as part of the Dereham Peace Day. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)
In the afternoon there was a variety of fun and games on the recreation ground including hobby horse, a free puppet show, cream teas and maypole. There was also a free tea for local pensioners.
Peace Day replaced Dereham's town carnival for the year.
The 1919 vicar of Dereham, Rev William Hudson McNaughton-Jones, left, played by Richard Tree; with the 1919 editor of the Dereham Times, Arthur Mason, centre, played by Ian Clarke; and the 1919 Baptist minister, Benjamin Fendick, played by Nigel Bayley, ready to greet the Great War soldiers at Dereham Train Station as part of the Dereham Peace Day. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)
Another feature of Peace Day celebrations was a series of amazing creations on trees and bollards around the town by the Dereham Carnival Crafters.
The 1919 vicar of Dereham, Rev William Hudson McNaughton-Jones, left, played by Richard Tree; with the 1919 editor of the Dereham Times, Arthur Mason, centre, played by Ian Clarke; and the 1919 Baptist minister, Benjamin Fendick, played by Nigel Bayley, ready to greet the Great War soldiers at Dereham Train Station as part of the Dereham Peace Day. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)
Crowds at the Dereham Peace Day in 1919. Picture: Gordon Olley Archive (Image: Archant)
Races at the Dereham Peace Day in 1919. Picture: Gordon Olley Archive (Image: Archant)
Returning Great War soldiers march through town during the Dereham Peace Day. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)
People from 1919 make their way to the church through town during Dereham Peace Day. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)
Returning Great War soldiers march through town during the Dereham Peace Day. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)
Historian Neil Storey is one of the returning soldiers, representing his great grandfather, Frederick Griffin from the 5th battalion Norfolk Regiment during Dereham Peace Day. With him is Fiona Jay in a First World War Land Army uniform. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)
Returning Great War soldiers are welcomed to Dereham Train Station as part of the Dereham Peace Day. From left, Ethan Harvey, Sam Skinner, Beverley Main, and Reuben Harvey. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)
Local people from 1919 greet the returning Great War soldiers at Dereham Train Station as part of the Dereham Peace Day. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)
Returning soldiers arrive at Dereham Train Station by steam locomotive as part of the Dereham Peace Day. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)
Local people from 1919 prepare to greet the returning Great War soldiers at Dereham Train Station as part of the Dereham Peace Day. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)
Dereham Peace Day: Picture:Steven Hitchman (Image: SHITCHMAN')
Dereham Peace Day: Picture:Steven Hitchman (Image: SHITCHMAN')
Dereham Peace Day: Picture:Steven Hitchman (Image: Archant)
Dereham Peace Day: Picture:Steven Hitchman (Image: Archant)
Dereham Peace Day: Picture:Steven Hitchman (Image: Archant)
Dereham Peace Day: Picture:Steven Hitchman (Image: Archant)
Dereham Peace Day: Picture:Steven Hitchman (Image: SHITCHMAN')
Dereham Peace Day: Picture:Steven Hitchman (Image: SHITCHMAN')
Dereham Peace Day: Picture:Steven Hitchman (Image: SHITCHMAN')
Dereham Peace Day: Picture:Steven Hitchman (Image: SHITCHMAN')
Dereham Peace Day: Picture:Steven Hitchman (Image: SHITCHMAN')
Dereham Peace Day: Picture:Steven Hitchman (Image: SHITCHMAN')
Dereham Peace Day: Picture:Steven Hitchman (Image: SHITCHMAN')
Dereham Peace Day: Picture:Steven Hitchman (Image: SHITCHMAN')
Dereham Peace Day: Picture:Steven Hitchman (Image: SHITCHMAN')
Dereham Peace Day: Picture:Steven Hitchman (Image: SHITCHMAN')
Dereham Carnival Crafters produced an array of creations around the town as part of the Peace Day centenary celebrations. Picture: Steve Hitchman (Image: Archant)
Dereham Carnival Crafters produced an array of creations around the town as part of the Peace Day centenary celebrations. Picture: Steve Hitchman (Image: Archant)
Dereham Carnival Crafters produced an array of creations around the town as part of the Peace Day centenary celebrations. Picture: Steve Hitchman (Image: Archant)
Dereham Carnival Crafters produced an array of creations around the town as part of the Peace Day centenary celebrations. Picture: Steve Hitchman (Image: Archant)
Dereham Carnival Crafters produced an array of creations around the town as part of the Peace Day centenary celebrations. Picture: Steve Hitchman (Image: Archant)
Dereham Carnival Crafters produced an array of creations around the town as part of the Peace Day centenary celebrations. Picture: Steve Hitchman (Image: Archant)
Dereham Carnival Crafters produced an array of creations around the town as part of the Peace Day centenary celebrations. Picture: Steve Hitchman (Image: Archant)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here