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One of the many major wars of Queen Victoria's reign was the Crimean War, 1853-56, between Russia and an alliance of Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire and Sardinia. The Crimean War was one of the first conflicts in which military forces used modern technologies such as explosive naval shells, railways, and telegraphs. It was also one of the first to be documented extensively in written reports and in photographs.

Two posters (from the John Newton slides) relate to the end period of the war. Thomas Wooldridge, the canal wharfinger living at 13 Bridge Street, was Constable, and after a request by the principal tradesmen of the town, he supported a closing of all shops on Monday 24 December 1855. 

18551224 Additional Holiday

After the end of the war came with the Treaty of Paris on 30 March 1856, Thomas Wooldridge supported another day when the shops would be closed to celebrate the peace - Thursday 29 May 1856.

18560529 Celebration of Peace