TOMORROW night Bradford World War 1 Group will feature in a fringe event at Ilkley Playhouse, as part of the literary festival. The presentation will concentrate on the decisions and dilemmas faced by individuals and families when war was declared. Mixed feelings of excitement, apprehension, fear were over-laid by a strong sense of loyalty and patriotism.

Group secretary Tricia Platts, a regular contributor to these columns, said: “Among the exciting stories featured in the local newspapers during the autumn of 1914 were tales of Bradfordians finding their way home from European holidays – whilst others chose to ‘wait and see’. “A Bradford teacher working in Witten wrote a reassuring letter to his father only to find himself interned a few days later. He spent the entire war in the camp at Ruhleben, returning to Bingley in 1919.

“As our regular army landed in Europe, in the opposite direction came large numbers of refugees, fleeing from the German army as it marched into Belgium. Nurse Parker in Ilkley saved the life of a Belgian baby before she made the decision to leave for the front.

“Men in the Territorials were invited to sign a document agreeing to overseas service. They responded virtually to a man although a plaintive letter appeared in the Bradford Daily Telegraph. A father felt that his son should have at least had the opportunity to talk it over with his family before making such a decision.

“The German population of Bradford and Ilkley faced particular difficulties. Some joined the British Army but several returned to Germany to enlist. “Others were interned on the Isle of Man for the duration. The Midland Station in Forster Square became a hive of activity but the mood of the crowd as Germans departed showed ‘little sense of international hostility. These men were leaving wives and sweethearts and had been friends of many of us’.

“Several families felt more comfortable with an English-sounding name. The wealthy Victor Edelstein, who served as Consul for the German Empire in Bradford, became ‘Elston’. “The Aliens’ Registration Act led to many anomalies including two Bradford widows whose husbands had German names. One solved her difficulties by quickly finding a home-grown second husband.”

Decisions and Dilemmas starts at 9pm at Ilkley Playhouse. Admission is free.