This was a very dark time for Britain in 1915 the First world War was underway and the mud, filth of trench warfare was going to be part of peoples lives for years to come in amongst the darkness of this time troops began to sing songs such as: Keep the home fires burning", It's A Long Way To Tipperary , Over There, Till We Meet Again or When This Lousy War Is Over, Fred Karno's Army,Pack Up Your Troubles and others. Music was an aid to morale and slowly over a period of four gruelling years plagued by sorrow injury and death on the 11th Hour of The 11th Day in November 1918 Armistice was declared. Millions had died, Millions of others were missing, or injured. We should never forget this. Music played a part during slog of the war providing some little but light relief from the grim reality. However the end of Great War was to begin a New Era of Music, that of the Roaring Twenties, Jazz and the Dance Bands. Behind them the world filled with death and loss, ahead a new era of risque lively dances and tassled short skirts. The face of popular music and fashion was to change.

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Above and right, a music sheet from 1919 from the musical comedy Irene by James Montgomery Lyrics by Joseph McCarthey Music by Harry Tierney Sung by Miss Edith Day Born. Minneapolis Minnesota April 10th 1896 Died.May 1st 1971 Starred In J.L.Slacks' Production Irene