Month: March 2015

Captain Charles Noel Ridley – Northumberland Yeomanry – Died of Wounds 1915

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Last week we posted a short article about the Ridley family of Park End, Tynedale. Today we will provide some further more information regarding the death of Captain Charles Noel Ridley of the Northumberland Yeomanry,

Charles Noel Ridley married Daphne Bewick in the September Quarter of 1907. By the 1911 census the couple had two daughters Nancy Daphne Ridley aged 2 years and Phyllis Evelyn Ridley who was just 3 months old. At this time the family were living at High Parkanse, Simonburn. Charles was recorded as living on ‘Private Means.’

Charles died of wounds received on 7th October 1915 and is referred to in ‘The History of the Northumberland (Hussars) Yeomanry, 1819 – 1919 with Supplement to 1923’ Edited by Howard Pease M.A., F.S.A. Printed by Constable & Co. Ltd. London 1924. On page 114 of the volume there is the following reference:

September 30th [1915] – Most unfortunately Captain C.N. Ridley was killed, and about fourteen other ranks were wounded, whilst burying about forty men just behind “Gun Trench”.

image of CN Ridley
This image shows Lieut. C N. Ridley is in the back row 2nd from the left. The image was taken at Blagdon Camp, Northumberland – 1913.

 

Charles Noel Ridley’s Medal Index Card is available to view on Ancestry.com. This record details that the Regimental Roll shows his ‘Disembarkation Date’ as 5th October 1914. He was killed just a year later on 7th October 1915. His medals were dispatched to Mrs D. Pringle of Doonbrae, Alloway, Ayr, on 20th May 1921.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission confirms that Captain Ridley is buried at Lonuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France. He was noted as the husband of Daphne Pringle (formerly Ridley), of Knorren, Brampton, Cumberland.

Following Charles Noel’s death Daphne re-married [December Quarter 1918] to Hall G Pringle. A search of the 1911 records that Hall was a Captain in the Royal Artillery aged 34 living in the Royal Military Academy, London Road, Camberley. I could not find Hall on any earlier census except 1881, where I found him living with his family in Cleethaugh, Edgerston, Roxburghshire. His father was David Pringle a Farmer of 6000 acres. Records of Hall Grant Pringle can be found on the internet for example he received the Military Order of Avis 2nd Class from the President of the Portuguese Republic on 10 October 1918, by this time he was known as Lieutenant Colonel Hall Grant, Royal Artillery, D.S.O. [Supplement to London Gazette]. He was also mentioned on 21 March 1896 as a Cadet of The Royal Military Academy promoted to 2nd Lieutenant [London Gazette]. A picture of him can be viewed on www.oldchinahands.org/military whilst he was serving in Peking, China 1900/1901.

This post was prepared by Paul Ternent, Northumberland At War Volunteer Manager.

Matron’s Medical Report Book – Part 3

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Following on from our post on the 12th January we have the third entry from the Matron’s Medical Report Book, with the arrival of another 12 patients and the increase in numbers now beginning to put a strain on the sanatorium’s resources.  By the end of 1908 a total of 62 patients had been admitted and the sanatorium grew considerably over the coming years with the addition of new wings and more beds.

June 12th 1908

“Twelve new patients have come during the last month.

11. Clementine Logan, aged 9; 94, Adelaide St, South Shields

12. Isabella Clementson, aged 12; 123, Robinson St, South Shields

13. George Regan, aged 14; 6, Kyle St, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

14. Hannah E. Hindmarsh, aged 11; 19 Scotch Arms Yard, Morpeth

15. Peter Miller, aged 15; 124, Newgate St, Morpeth

16. Arthur B. Jackman, aged 7 ½; Hanover Sq, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

17. Amelia Seitz, aged 12; 11 Market Place, South Shields

18. Joseph Toward, aged 16 ¼; 9 Carlisle St, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

19. Clara Wilson, aged 11 ½; 12, Newcombe St, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

20. Mary G. Benson, aged 12 ½; 9, Annie Jane Terrace, Gateshead

21. John Gray, aged 15; 12 Pearson St, High Walker

22. Jane A. Farrow, aged 7 ¾; 83, Violet Street, Benwell, Newcastle

 

Of the four patients whose time is up today application for a further extension has been made in the case of two, Margaret J. Smith & James Robson.  It is hoped that a third J. E. Kenney, may go to the Philipson Farm Colony where the final arrest of his disease might be established.  The fourth, T. Hill, goes home practically ‘cured’.  These last two have gained 6 ½ lbs & 6 lbs respectively in weight.

The general condition of the patients is quite satisfactory.  Most of them are gaining weight rapidly.  Several of the new patients are feverish.  Four have not coughed up any phlegm.  Tubercle Bacilli were present in six of the remaining eight cases.

The children (who are fit to) now do work for about 2 hrs every day & Mr Atkin has kindly prepared a strip of land where they do some light gardening.  We are expecting a private patient in about a week’s time.  Another nurse will then be essential.  An average of 5 to 6 patients in bed (on account of fever) adds considerably to the labour for the nurses & the strain of constantly holding the others in check makes their work very tiring.”

 

 

Patients and Staff Outside the Sanatorium c.1920s [HOSP/STAN/11/1/54]
Patients and Staff Outside the Sanatorium c.1920s [HOSP/STAN/11/1/54]

This Week in World War One, 5th March 1915

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Berwick Advertiser title 1915

5 MARCH 1915

Berwick’s New Station

The front of Berwick Railway Station
An early 20th Century postcard of the front of the railway station REF: BRO 17

The plans for the erection of Berwick’s station have now been passed by the directors of the North British Railway Company and work will be proceeded with shortly. It is understood that the cost will be between £30,000 and £40,000.

A feature of the scheme is an island platform between the up line and the down line. This will be 800 feet in length, and it will be reached from the booking hall (which will be about where the present booking office is) by means of a bridge: and there will also be an hydraulic luggage lift. The up line will be about where the present down line is, thus straightening out the present curve from the Royal Border Bridge. This scheme includes thoroughly up to date waiting rooms and offices.

The first portion of the scheme which will be executed is the new bridge carrying the Great North Road over the railway. This will be a little to the south of the present bridge which is the property of the Railway Company. Borings for the new bridge have already been made, and the work is to proceed forthwith.

Inside the Berwick trainshed
The train shed and platforms at Berwick before the works took place Ref: BRO 1636/10/013
Island Platform at Berwick Station
The Island platform, bridge and waiting rooms built following the 1915 proposals. © Copyright G Laird and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commission for Spittal Teacher

Mr John Martin Tate. BSc one of the assistant masters at Spittal Council School has been appointed to a Second Lieutenancy in the 10th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, and is to proceed at once to Stirling for preliminary training. Mr Tate who came to Spittal in September last is a native of Newcastle. He graduated at Durham University, where he served three years with the Officers Training Corps.

Spittal School
Spittal School in the early 20th Century. REF: BRO

POSTSCRIPT: The Spittal School log book records that Mr Tate, whilst serving as a Captain in the 18th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers, was killed in France on May 27th 1918. Does anyone have any more information about him?

 

Advert for Ford's Garage
Advert for Ford’s Garage, Hide Hill from the Berwick Advertiser 5th March 1915

 

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