An Armistice Day service was conducted in 1921 at the church by the Vicar, the Rev. H. C. Foster, who gave “a stirring address.”  The observance of Armistice Day took place in Stocksbridge (the Clock Tower not having yet been built) “with all due decorum and solemnity.”  Union Jacks were flown at half-mast at Stocksbridge Works and elsewhere.  The Works buzzers at Stocksbridge and Deepcar announced the commencement of the two minutes of silence, which were reverently observed throughout the district.  When the time had elapsed the buzzers were again sounded.  An service was held at the conclusion of the silence, in the wire-drawers’ department in Fox's.  The hymn, “O God our help,” was sung, following which a fervent prayer was offered by Mr. Jabez Butcher.  The Lord’s Prayer was afterwards sung, and the hymn, “These things shall be,” concluded “a most impressive incident in the day’s work.” 

On Sunday 5th November 1922 a memorial service took place, on the 32nd anniversary of the church's dedication [it was actually on the 1st].  The service was reported as being “beautiful in its simplicity, and yet most impressive.”   About a thousand people turned up to show that those who had made the supreme sacrifice would not be forgotten.  Every available space in the church was filled, which was around double its capacity.  There was a march to the church headed by the Stocksbridge Brass Band, and a large procession which included members of the Stocksbridge Urban Council, officials, the R.A.O.B., Friendly Societies the Druids, Oddfellows, Foresters and Rechabites, members of the Stocksbridge Victory Club, and Working Men’s Club and Institute.  Among the congregation were many relatives of the fallen.  The Vicar of Stocksbridge read the names of the fallen, concluding with the remark “Let us see to it that their names are never forgotten.”  The Last Post was sounded by Mr. E. Batty followed by an interval of silence, followed by the National Anthem.  There was also an evening service, and collections were taken in aid of St. Dunstan’s (a charity founded by Sir Arthur Pearson in 1915 dedicated to helping war-blinded men, including those who suffered from “delayed action” blindness.

On Armistice Day 1923, the Clock Tower wasn’t ready, so the memorial service took place at the church.  Among those present were the members and officials of the Urban District Council, British Legion, Boy Scouts, Friendly Societies and others.  The Roll of Honour was read by Major McIntyre and the “Last Post” blown by Bugler E. Batty.  The band accompanied the singing and also played Sullivan’s “In Memoriam.”  The preacher was the Vicar, the Rev. J. G. Roberts.

The Clock Tower was unveiled and dedicated on Saturday 1st December 1923 at 2.30pm.

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In 1924, services took place in the various churches, at the Clock Tower, and even in the cinema (when hundreds of people were unable to get in because of the crowds).  St. Matthias was crowded for the memorial service which took place after a procession which had started at Horner House, headed by the Stocksbridge Brass Band.  Councillor Joseph Sheldon placed a wreath on the war memorial reredos, which was covered by the Union Jack.  The vicar hoped “that the future would see the energies of men put to constructive use and not destructive purposes.  They must turn their swords into ploughshares.  Following in the wake of war was unemployment, strikes, doles, with their demoralising results.  The best way to perpetuate the memory of the brave was to work for peaceful, useful and productive ends.”

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On Remembrance Sunday 1925 (it is always marked on the second Sunday in November), a united Armistice commemoration service was held at St. Matthias.  Long before the service was due to commence, the church was filled with well over a thousand people.  About half of them had to stand, but there were still a great many who were unable to gain admission.  The arrangements were made by the local branch of the British Legion. [1]  A large procession set off from Horner House along the main road to the church, headed by the Stocksbridge Old Prize Brass Band.  They were followed by the local branch of the British Legion, other ex-Servicemen, Fire Brigade, Ambulance Brigade, Boy Scouts, and representatives of various friendly societies, wearing regalia.  In the procession was Mr. Joseph Withers, of 291 Ford Lane, Stocksbridge, on whose breast were medals of his three sons, Sergeant-Major Oscar Withers, Corporal James Withers and Private Joseph Withers, who were killed [2].  In their memory and that of other brave lads of the district, Mr. Withers, along with Mr. Ben Wood, who lost a leg in the war, placed a beautiful wreath of laurel and red poppies on the war memorial reredos.  The tribute was from members of the Stocksbridge and District Branch of the British Legion.  Amongst the relatives of the fallen were also Mr. Castledine, whose daughter, Nurse Lucy Castledine, and son, Fred Castledine, lost their lives on active service, and Miss Kaye, wearing her father's medals [3] (he had been killed).  The Reverend Mason addressed the congregation, and said that when history was written up, an explanation would have to be given for this service of remembrance.  “They had worshipped too long at the shrine of brutality.  They saw it in the shape of present-day hooliganism, which was attempting to destroy instead of to build up.  Remembrance Day was a day for re-consecrating themselves; of thinking of the lads who gave their lives in Flanders, Palestine, and elsewhere; of the people who were being badly housed; and of the young girls hawking their honour on the streets.  Unless we rose to the occasion and remedied these things we had broken faith.  The time was wanted when everyone could have what was called a living wage, and then they would get what was good for the common weal.”  On leaving the church a procession was re-formed and marched to the Clock Tower, where the British Legion paraded with bared heads and the hymn, “Lead, kindly Light” was played by the Band.

On Armistice Day itself, the 11th, a memorial service took place at the Clock Tower, whilst children attended a memorial service in St. Matthias.  The Roll of Honour on the war memorial reredos was read out by the vicar and the National Anthem was sung at the close.

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[1] Although the British Legion had royal patronage from its foundation in 1921, it did not receive the “Royal” prefix until 1971, on its golden anniversary (the 29th May)

[2] All three are named on the Clock Tower, but only James Herbert Withers and Joseph Adin Withers are named as being on the St. Matthias reredos

[3] I have been unable to find out who he was

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Remembrance Services continued to be held at the church until it closed on the 12th July 2018.