Stevie and I went out at 11:45… then came in and “first footed” the house. Outside was perfectly silent. No bells or cheers saluted the New Year (the authorities forbid bell-ringing for fear of zepplins) not a soul was to be seen. A curious bringing in of the new year.

Monday January 1st 1917. Diary of John Glasier [GP/2/1/24].