BERWICK ADVERTISER, 15 NOVEMBER 1918

HOW THE GOOD NEWS WAS RECEIVED AT BERWICK

Last Monday will be long remembered in Berwick. The welcome news that Germany had signed the Armistice began to filter through about 8a.m. on Monday, having been picked up on the coast by wireless. Official word was not received till 11.30am, when Mr Toohey, Customs Officer, first received a wire from the Naval Authorities. This was followed by a wire to the Commanding Officer at the Barracks about 12 noon, and there was great excitement in the town when shortly afterwards the news was officially announced from the Townhall steps. With extreme rapidity flags and bunting that had not seen the light of day for years, were hung out, and a considerable crowd gathered in the High Street, which had a very gay appearance,. It was a beautiful day, and everyone was in high spirits. The Mayor (Ald. Plenderleith) was accompanied by the Sheriff (Mr T. Wilson), Major McAlester, Councillors Bolus and Dixon, Mr D. Herriot, Lieut. and Mrs J.A. McCreath, Chief Constable Nicholson, Mr J. Gibson, Miss Willoby, Miss Greet ( Norham); Mr and Mrs Toohey, etc. Addressing the crowd through a megaphone, the Mayor said; “Ladies and gentlemen, the long wished for and long looked for day has at last arrived. Peace is in sight. A telegram has come announcing that the Armistice has been signed by Germany.” He then called upon Major McAlester to read the telegram.

Major McAlester said – “The following telegram arrived at five minutes to twelve and reads, ‘Armistice signed with Germany. Full advantage of pipes, trumpets and drums to be taken to announce same.’ (Loud and prolonged cheers.) The band of the K.O.S. Borderers then struck up God Save the King.

Afterwards Major McAlester said: – “His Worship the Mayor has asked me to allow the band to parade through the streets. I have great pleasure in giving my consent.” The crowd thereafter dispersed, and the band paraded the streets, headed by an aged but exuberant drum-major, and followed by crowds of soldiers, some carried shoulder high together with children carrying flags. We never remember rejoicings when so many children were seen with flags in their hands. It was quite a feature, and where they all sprung from is difficult to say. The shops and works in the town were closed in the afternoon, and the Boy Scout Band paraded the streets.

Long lines of munition workers and Saw Mill girls in trousers also paraded the streets singing and cheering. One was actually seen giving the “Glad eye.”

London, we are told, quite lost its head, but the rejoicings at Berwick though spontaneous and hearty were within limits. In the Strand staff officers were seen on the tops of careering taxis, blowing trumpets, but in Berwick, so far as we could learn, no orders for taxis were given by the K.O.S.B. command, and no trumpets were blown – in public.

COUNTY COURT

The County Court, which was sitting, carried on its work of disposing of a grandfather clock undisturbed by happenings outside, but Judge Greenwell was very jocular, as if he had something up his sleeve.

LIGHTED STREETS

At night, on the suggestion of the mayor, the shading was removed from the street lamps, and lighting restrictions were generally disregarded, the electric are lamps in front of the Picture Houses blazing forth. Bells rung joyous peals, and the town clock, which for four years been silent from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., struck all through the night.

During the evening bands of young people paraded the streets singing snatches of popular songs, accompanied by accordions, concertinas and other instruments, and enjoying the novel sensation of being able to walk about in comfort in the lighted streets. There was no drunkenness in the town, and, unlike celebrations during the Boer War, especially “Mafeking Night,” not a drunk soldier to be seen even as late as 10 p.m.

There were a few fireworks let off in the streets. The window decorations at Messrs W. and A. Johnston and Co.’s shop in High Street were very striking. The window was panelled with red, white and blue muslin, illuminated from behind by electric lights, and small Union Jacks were crossed in the centre of the white panel. Oher shops screened their doorways with Union Jacks, instead of the usual dark curtains prescribed by “Aunt Dora.” Fireworks, especially Chinese squibs and Roman candles, were set off at frequent intervals by the boys in the streets on Wednesday. There was also a bon-fire on Wednesday night on the shore on the Tweedmouth side of the river.

IMPROMPTU SERVICE AT THE PARISH CHURCH

A very impressive service was conducted in the Parish Church by the Rev. R. W. de la Hey, vicar, at 7 p.m. The Vicar had announced this service to a few friends in the forenoon, the word was circulated round the town, and the Church was filled well up to the front. There were special psalms, Mr Robson read a special lesson, the Vicar gave a short address from the chapel steps, and the service closed with the National Anthem.

WALLACE GREEN

Here was an informal peace celebration at Wallace Green on Monday night, a very happy choice of subject having been made when the Literary and Debating Society syllabus was drawn up. Mr J. Strachan and Mr W. J. Marshall were leaders in a discussion in the vestry on “The League of Nations,” and were listened to with much interest by an audience, which was very friendly to the scheme. Specially noteworthy was the hearty reception of Viscount Grey’s name. Mr Macaskill, Miss M.C. Holmes, Mr Hamilton, Mr Stowe, Mr Carr, Mr Henderson, Mr Stewart, and Mr Gaul followed, and late in the evening the two leaders replied. The meeting broke up with the National Anthem.

A NIGHT OUT FOR THE R.A.F.

On Tuesday evening the “boys” from Haggerston Aerodrome had a night out. They came in to Berwick siting like monkeys on the top of a large aircraft repair shop motor with two old aeroplane wings strapped on the sides. Singing at the top of their voices and beating a tattoo with sticks upon the aero wings they turned out the cottagers and villagers on the road leading into the town. Mounted on the top of a waggon a soldier controlled a land search light which lit up the streets like broad daylight. The van after passing up High Street stood for a time in front of the Townhall, where a large crowd gathered round to listen to the songs and jokes of the men. The waggon was later taken to the Parade and the men spent a part of the evening in town.

DUNS

Chary in respect of last week’s premature rejoicing, Duns resolved to “maksiccar” before bell ringing. It was well after two o’clock before what was considered indisputable evidence was received, and at once a merry peal rang out from the Town Hall bell. A few flags were hoisted. Special church services were held on Tuesday.

NEWS ON THE FARMS

On the farms the news was received with rejoicing. Many farmers immediately granted a full day’s holiday, and the killing of a pig took place on some steadings. Singing in the fields, an occurrence hardly heard for four years, was general.