Month: June 2015

This Week in World War One, 18 June 1915

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Berwick Advertiser title 1915

 

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 18 JUNE 1915

NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS PRISONERS

 

Lady Allendale has received numerous postcards and letters from prisoners interned in Germany, acknowledging parcels sent to them, for which they are most grateful.

One prisoner, writing from Munster, Westphalia, asks for cocoa, sugar, milk, Golden Syrup, Hovis bread, Woodbines, and soap. He says he is only allowed to write two letters a month, so, if this regulation applies to other prisoners, this will account for parcels not being acknowledged regularly.

Lady Allendale understands that at some of the prisons luxuries are not allowed. Therefore, it is advisable only to send such articles of food as bread (brown is best), biscuits, butter, dripping, cocoa, and milk. Anything in the way of luxuries, such as sweets, chocolate, and cakes, are liable to be confiscated.

 

Poster National Egg Collection for the wounded
Poster National Egg Collection for the wounded

 

 WOOLER

 

FOR WOUNDED SOLDIERS: On Sunday afternoon last a united missionary and egg service was held in the Archbold Hall at which there was a good attendance. The Rev. H. Proctor gave an interesting address on mission work in West Africa where he had laboured for some years. All were invited to bring fresh eggs to be sent to the British Red Cross Society for our wounded soldiers and sailors. A collection was also taken in aid of missionary work. The Rev. N. Reid was chairman. At the united service on Sunday in the Archbold Hall, nearly 500 eggs were collected for the wounded soldiers and sailors, and over £3 was taken for the Missionary cause.

BERWICK PUBLIC BOWLING GREEN OPENED

A Splendid Acquisition to the Town

 

The outcome of the enterprise and labour of a number of the working men in Berwick was witnessed at the Old Bowling Green, Ravesdowne, on Monday evening, when the Mayor (Mr Thomas Wilson) opened the Berwick Public Bowling Green. The mayor was accompanied by the Sheriff (Mr E. W. Stiles), Mr D.H.W. Askew, Castle Hills, Mr H. G. McCreath, Mr J. Elder, Dr C. L. Fraser, Rev. R. C. Inglis and the Secretary of the Club, Mr A. Carstairs. There was a large attendance to witness the opening ceremony.

Area marked as Former Tennis Court, Ravensdowne, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 1900's
Area marked as Former Tennis Court, Ravensdowne, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 1900’s

The proposal to have a public Bowling Green in Berwick has been afoot for some time and to expedite the matter a public meeting was called in the Town Hall where it was decided to canvas the town for subscriptions. A good sum of money was obtained but not of a sufficient amount to enable a green to be laid out, for the outbreak of war in a great measure stopped the flow of subscriptions. A splendid opportunity was afforded the Committee when the old bowling green behind the barracks was advertised to be let, and the Committee have entered into a five years lease. This green was where the Berwick Bowling Club first started and it was vacant for some time after that club laid out their green at the Stanks. Later it was occupied for bowls by the officers of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, but latterly the ground has been utilised for playing of tennis. The turf is in a good state of preservation, and with a little care and attention the surface will soon be made quite suitable for playing. Its condition on Monday evening was excellent considering the short time spent in improving it.

THE ORIGIN OF THE MOVEMENT

Mr Jos. Seals, in calling upon the Mayor to declare the green open, said: – The origin of this movement took place some few months ago. Berwick Town Council was approached with a view to providing as they do in other towns, a public bowling green to be within the financial reach of the working classes. Owing to their having so much in hand they found it impossible to carry out what was required. The Mayor kindly suggested that a public meeting be called, and from that meeting we have this green. We commenced to canvas the town for subscriptions to assist financially and as far as we went the town responded right nobly, but owing to the war we had necessity to cease asking for subscriptions owing to the very large number of necessities that had arisen from the war. The matter then lay for some time until it was seen in the papers that the green was to be let. A committee meeting was called and without hesitation it was decoded to take the green and bring the matter to a successful issue to the best of our ability. We still have a need for more financial support but we have sufficient confidence in the public spirit of the Borough to know that that need will be supplied. We propose in some way to make arrangements for allowing the different bodies of soldiers in the town to play on the green. We should like to let them play free but as that would be killing the goose which lays the golden egg, we will meet them in the best way we can.  I have great pleasure in calling upon the Mayor to open this green, and I may add that we have had assistance from the beginning and our success in a very large measure is due to him. (Applause)

THE GREEN OPENED

The Mayor said: let me congratulate this Committee of Berwick Public Green for having done such a great work as this. I have much pleasure in declaring the green open and I hope it will be taken advantage of by the working class. (Loud applause)

The Mayor, thereafter played the first bowl and was followed by the Sheriff, Mr Askew, and  Mr. McCreath.

Play was free to visitors for the evening and a most enjoyable game was played.

 

FUNDS FOR THE QUEEN’S NURSES

SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS HELP

 

Royal Scots…………………..1                                  Berwick Rovers…………………..0

Without doubt a larger crowd has never gathered at the Stanks, Berwick, than that which viewed the match on Thursday evening between the 2/10th Royal Scots, and Berwick Rovers, at which a collection was taken in aid of the funds of the Berwick Queen’s Nurses. By kind permission of Colonel Peterkin, the Royal Scots Piper Band paraded the principal street before the match, and drew large

The Stanks, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland. Grazing sheep, 1900s. Ref: BRO 2103-6-32
The Stanks, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland. Grazing sheep, 1900s Ref: BRO 2103-6-32

crowds to the venue of play. Collectors were busy amongst the crowd during the match, and the excellent sum of £8 10s was realised. The arrangements for the match were in the hands of Mr. A. A. Crisp, High Street, Berwick. The teams chosen were: Royal Scots-Corpl. Hill ( Queensferry St Andrew’s); Lance Corpl. Hay (Wemyss Athletic) and Pte.Trupe ( Juvenile); Corpl. Anderson ( Juvenile), Pte.Valentine ( Bathgate Primrose), and Pte.Preston ( Bathgate), Sergt. Brown (Armadale Rangers), Corpl. Jameison (Vale of Grange), Pte. McIver (Juvenile), and Pte. Middleton (Linlithgow Rose.) Berwick Rovers- W. Ferguson; R.T. Tait and E.N.Fenby; D.Redfearn, H. Burgon, J.Paul; J. Weatherburn, C. Barth, A. Weatherburn, G. Mofatt, and J. Scobie.

Miliary TB

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Miliary spread is a pathological process involving the widespread dissemination of the tubercle bacilli but the manifestations of this can vary widely depending on factors such as the speed of the spread and the individual’s ability to inhibit further multiplication of the organisms in other areas of the body.  Miliary tuberculosis is recognised clinically in patients where there is radiographic evidence of tuberculous lesions of the same age distributed evenly throughout all areas of the lung.  This process is most likely to occur soon after the initial infection and is also more common in children under 5 than it is in older children.

 

It is not uncommon to see miliary tuberculosis develop further into tuberculous meningitis.  Whilst on the whole the death rate in Stannington was relatively low, in the pre-antibiotic era (pre-1947) it is noticeable that a significant number of fatalities are as a result of either miliary TB or TB meningitis.  The introduction of effective drug therapies altered this situation greatly and the prospects for these patients after this point improved significantly.

 

Patient 3/1947 was a 12 year old boy from Lemington-on-Tyne who was admitted to Stannington in January 1947 diagnosed with miliary tuberculosis.  A report on x-ray films taken in December 1946 prior to his admission describes extensive mottled shadowing across both lungs with hilar shadows much enlarged.  The Northumberland County medical officer of health that refers the boy to Stannington gives the following report:

‘States no cough.  Mother says he thinks he gets a bit short of breath at times, and that he has definitely lost weight.  On examination, slight cyanotic tinge; afebrile, pulse 108.  General condition satisfactory (amazing in view of films).  Little made out in chest apart from slight impairment of the air entry at both bases.  Mass of glands at right side of neck.’

 

Figure 1 is a chest x-ray taken the day after his admission and the report on it simply reads, ‘extensive bilateral miliary spread’.  The extensive mottled ‘snowstorm’ effect is indicative of miliary TB.  Strict bed rest is ordered and at this point he also has an enlarged gland at the angle of the jaw on the right side for which UV light treatment is prescribed.  Over the coming months the abscess on the jaw is described as discharging freely with brownish pus aspirated from it in June 1947.

Figure 1 - HOSP/STAN/7/1/2/1371_84
Figure 1 – HOSP/STAN/7/1/2/1371_84
09 Jan 1947
Figure 2 - HOSP/STAN/7/1/2/1371_05
Figure 2 – HOSP/STAN/7/1/2/1371_05
17 Sept 1947

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In September 1947 the patient’s doctor suggests that he would be a suitable candidate for streptomycin treatment, which had only recently been introduced at this point.  However, having discussed the case further it was decided that he was not suitable as at this point in time streptomycin was being used for very early cases only and patient 3/1947 by now had a long history of TB and was doing very well without it.  Figure 2, is an x-ray taken around the time streptomycin treatment was being discussed and the report reads, ‘X-ray shows a little improvement.  Each individual lesion is smaller.’

 

Two months later in November 1947 his condition deteriorates a little and he begins to lose weight and so is again put forward for streptomycin ‘if any available.’  Whilst the attending doctor continues to push for streptomycin over the coming months it is not until November 1948 that the patient receives any.  There are continuing disputes as to whether he is a suitable candidate.  During this time his general condition fluctuates with periods of weight gain and weight loss and x-rays from April and June 1948 show some improvements, figures 3 and 4 respectively.

Figure 3 - HOSP/STAN/7/1/2/1371_09
Figure 3 – HOSP/STAN/7/1/2/1371_09
13 April 1948
‘Amazing improvement since last x-ray 3 months ago. The military lesions now appear to be resolving: the apices are almost clear. There is now a more homogenous opacity in the left lower lobe.’
Figure 4 - HOSP/STAN/7/1/2/1371_10
Figure 4 – HOSP/STAN/7/1/2/1371_10
04 June 1948
‘still some mottling at the bases, the apices are clear. The more homogenous density at the L base is getting smaller. Azygos lobe on right side.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ultimately the catalyst leading to the decision being made for streptomycin treatment to be commenced appears to be the fact that in June 1948 a swelling over the lower dorsal spine is identified and it is apparent that the tuberculous infection has spread further.  It is clear from radiographic evidence in 1948 that there are three spinal lesions: one in the 5th and 6th dorsal vertebrae causing some kyphosis; another affecting the 1st and 3rd lumbar vertebrae causing some deformity; and a final one in the inferior and anterior part of the body of the 5th lumbar vertebrae with some destruction.

 

All streptomycin treatment is discontinued by May 1949 when significant improvements in his chest are seen and treatment of the spinal lesions is continued with braces and plaster casts.  He is eventually discharged in July 1950 wearing a spinal brace and continues to be seen by the out-patients’ service until April 1954 when an abscess in the left iliac fossa leads to him being considered for admission to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Figure 5 - HOSP/STAN/7/1/2/1371_18
Figure 5 – HOSP/STAN/7/1/2/1371_18
Spinal X-ray, 17 Jan 1950, calcifications in the lungs also evident.
Figure 6 - HOSP/STAN/7/1/2/1371_85
Figure 6 – HOSP/STAN/7/1/2/1371_85
Spinal X-ray, 10 July 1950, 4 days before discharge
Figure 7 - HOSP/STAN/7/1/2/1371_14 Chest X-ray, 17 Feb 1950, also showing calcifications in neck glands.
Figure 7 – HOSP/STAN/7/1/2/1371_14
Chest X-ray, 17 Feb 1950, also showing calcifications in neck glands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

MILLER, F. J. W, SEAL, R. M. E, and TAYLOR, M. D. (1963) Tuberculosis in Children, J & A Churchill Ltd.

This Week in World War One, 11 June 1915

by

Berwick Advertiser title 1915

 

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 11 JUNE 1915

 

 BERWICK AMATEUR ATHLETIC CLUB

 

Proposed Benefit Race to help Patriotic Funds

 

A special general meeting of the members of the Berwick Amateur Athletic Club was held in the Red Lion Hotel on Friday evening to decide whether or not sports should be held this year, also to discuss the amount of subscriptions to be collected, and for any other competent business.

Councillor Darling presided, and it was explained at the outset that there had been no sports meeting held this season anywhere except in London and Manchester, and these were conducted by the military.

The Chairman said he did not think it was at all possible this year to hold sports. The only thing they could do as a club was to follow the example of other centres, and get up some kind of a meeting for the soldiers, such as a harriers’ race. He moved that they do not hold sports this year.

 

Berwick Advertiser 11 June 1915, Dunlop Advert.
Berwick Advertiser 11 June 1915, Dunlop Advert.

 

 

INTERESTING LETTERS FROM A BERWICK CORPORAL

 

Writing to his brother in Newcastle, Corporal C. N. Noble, 7th N.F., sends the following interesting communications from the Front:-

“Many days have passed since we received our baptism of fire. It took place when we passed through at midnight a certain village which has been famous in this war. The shells were flying round us, and I may say we felt a bit queer. It was a weird and uncanny experience passing through this dead city which had been incessantly bombarded night after night for weeks by the Germans. Our first engagement took place the next morning and lasted for about half the day, when we had a few killed and wounded. The following day we took part in a big engagement. We received a great deal of praise for our conduct that day. It was a terrible experience going through the hail of maxim bullets and “Johnsons,” but the Battalion displayed remarkable steadiness.

7th Northumberland Fusiliers. BRO 2098-001
7th Northumberland Fusiliers at Greystoke Camp.
Ref: BRO 2098-001

I received your letter of the 25th April. I replied before this, but it was too much for the Censor. We were never down at that place where the imposing sights are, but, as you will know, we have had it hot – aye, too hot. We were addressed by the famous warrior, Sir John French, the other morning. He spoke in terms of the highest praise for the important part we took in the recent big engagement. I met J. Dixon (Rangers) and Borthwick of the Royal Engineers (once with Caverhill, blacksmith), and a few others whom you know well.

Some days have passed since I wrote to you. We are now under covering fire, and fraternising with some —–, a battalion of which has come amongst us. The guns are fairly speaking but we are now quite accustomed to these noisy instruments of war. We are having a fine time and enjoying the experience immensely. You might let me know how the war is getting on, and be sure to mention the result of the cup final.

By the way, while passing through England, I was much impressed with the beautiful city of Lincoln. Our young friend, Harry Mangham should feel proud of his native-place. The cathedral is a fine building.

Berwick Advertiser 11 June 1915 Advert- Your Country Needs You
Berwick Advertiser 11 June 1915 . To Assist in raising further men for the 7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers

May 20th. –

In due course I received the parcel of clothing all right, and your letter of the 10th. Many thanks. You were mentioning about Alick. I am grieved to say that he has been missing since our big engagement on the Monday. I would have informed you sooner, but we are not allowed to mention anything until the lapse of so many days. I had hopes that he might write from some hospital if he had been wounded. However, I would not give up hope, because if the worst had happened his identification disc and pay-book would have come in. Stragglers are still coming in who lost the battlion (sic) that day, and have been with other regiments in the interval. So I am still living in hope that he may return any day. I would have replied sooner, but we went up into the trenches for three days immediately after I received your communique. We were just about washed out with the rain the first day, but it turned out fine afterwards, and the sun shone resplendent over the beautiful landscape. The heat was intense in more ways than one. Give my regards to all my Newcastle friends.

 

ITEMS OF INTEREST

 

An interesting story of a lost photograph comes from “somewhere in France.” A local hero serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers had the misfortune to lose on the field of battle in Flanders, a photograph of a lady friend. This was found by another Newcastle soldier, who enclosed it when writing home to his parents. They, in return, recognising the photograph, forwarded it to the relatives of the owner, who resides in Newcastle.

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