Peace Day – July 19, 1919 – was intended to be a celebration of the end of World War One. But by that night, Luton had seen its Town Hall – which had been the focus of celebrations in the past and the point from which troops left for war – reduced to a burnt-out shell in a riot.
Disgruntled ex-servicemen who had not been invited to the civic celebrations to mark Peace Day vented their anger against mayor Henry Impey, who was forced to retreat first into his barricaded parlour in the Town Hall and then to the police station in Dunstable Place.
Later, stolen petrol was used to set fire to the Town Hall and the riot continued until troops from Biscot Mill were called in to restore order.
Click here to see slideshow of Town Hall BurningThe full article contains 148 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
