Dear Tom: The Words of War

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During the early 1900s Charles Fenwick Thorp and his nephew, Andrew Fenwick Thorp, penned a series of letters discussing a diverse range of topics, from the First World War to horse racing. The Thorp family were deeply rooted in the affairs of Northumberland, and held large swathes of property across the county. They often sat on various council and governmental boards, and ran a prominent legal firm from their base in Alnwick. The letters penned by Charles and Andrew during this period had been addressed to, and received by, a “dear Tom” (most likely Charles’ younger brother.) These men were the uncles and cousins of Robert and Collingwood Thorp – decorated soldiers whose war-time letters we also hold in our collection. This  particular selection of letters, written predominantly from the home front, have been painstakingly transcribed and researched by our volunteers, and the originals can be viewed here.

Some of the letters pre-date the First World War by two years, and go on to trace the build up to one of Europe’s darkest periods. The letters penned by both Andrew and Charles are therefore hugely significant; as one writer pours out the emotions of a young man about to enter the First World War whilst the second relays the fears of an old man left behind. Andrew’s letters begin by giving us an unfiltered insight into the concerns and joys of a young gentleman in the year 1912. In these letters he discusses money, capital and prospects. He plans care-free excursions and debates the standard of horse racing. He considers his future, with a dose of melodrama, giving the pros of becoming a farmer or the cons of hiding abroad. But Andrew’s letters turn painfully serious as the years progress and he becomes acquainted with the fragility of life. In August 1914 Andrew is twenty-four years old, the world is on the brink of war and he has decided to write a will. Perhaps the most upsetting aspect of his correspondence is his sincere belief that “the war won’t last more than a year.” This is a 24 year old man actively preparing for his own death.

Charles letters, in comparison, predominately cover the period during war. Within them he informs his brother of the whereabouts of his two sons, referred to as John and Arthur, as well as the military activities of their common nephew Andrew. These letters provide small snippets of family news mixed with wry observations about turnips, the war effort and the physical weight of military uniform. Charles even gives a play-by-play account of the location and route of “Zeps” or zeppelins across the English countryside. How Charles feels about the impending doom of war is difficult to decipher. He is initially proud of his younger relatives for having entered the service of their country, and is eager for them to see action, but he also frets about the dangerous position of Andrew on the continent. He finds the process of war frustrating, labelling it “vexing,” and he tries to continue with his day-to-day life as much as possible. Charles is a complex character; full of paternal instinct, strong views and a haunting foreboding that the war will leave an irreversible mark on his family. These letters give us a fascinating insight into how ordinary Northumbrians were affected by war and loss.

Charles Fenwick Thorp

Charles Fenwick Thorp was born in 1857 at Ellingham, Northumberland. He was the eldest son, and first child, of Reverend Charles Thorp the elder and his wife Isabella Frances Fenwick. The Thorp-Fenwick’s had numerous children, all of whom were born in Ellingham. They were Mary Isabel, George, Robert Edward, John, Thomas, William and Frances.  In the 1871 census this huge household had eight servants; including a governess, two nurses, a groom and a gardener.

Charles Fenwick Thorp, and his brother Robert, studied at the Mount School in Northallerton under the Edwin Brittlestone MA Clergyman. Charles pursued his education and, like his father before him, became a reverend taking up residency in Beadnell in 1887.

He married his wife, Jane Booth, in her home town of Warlaby, Northallerton on the 13th September 1894. A few years later, in 1897, Charles was appointed Chaplain of the Northumberland Fusiliers, 1st Battalion situated at Alnwick. In 1901 Charles and Jane were residing at Beadnell Vicarage with their young son Charles Arthur Robert Thorp, whom had been baptised at Beadnell on the 18th July 1899. The couple subsequently went on to have two more children; Frances Victoria Thorp (born 1901) and John C Thorp (born 1904).

Charles moved his family into The Rectory in Ovingham at some point before 1911. This property had ample space to live and entertain, with ten rooms. Charles and Jane remained in Ovingham for almost fifteen years, and most of Charles’ war time letters were written from this residency. Charles died in 1935, at Aldbrough St John in Yorkshire, leaving behind effects equalling £226 2s 1d. The executors of his will were his widow Jane and Thomas Alder Thorp – presumably “dear Tom.”

The Rectory

Ovingham-on-Tyne

Northumberland

April 3rd 1916

 Dear Tom

 I have sent Mother’s cheque by this post to Office, and asked them to pay in balance £10 to my acct on 14th. Very many thanks; I fear I shall be asking you for some help for last half of this month and then shall be clear, but will write you.

 Andrew and a party of 40 had another walk out 8 miles and were all stiff after it.

 These beastly Zeps been about 3 nights, last night only 6 miles away from here at Stamfordham and Ponteland then Northwards, did you have them.

 Yours ever

 Signed:  Chas. F. Thorp

 

A crater caused by a bomb during the Zeppelin Raid at Bedlington, Northumberland on 14th April 1915. NRO 07990/2/32. Letters from Charles, REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT

 

The Rectory

Ovingham-on-Tyne

 May 1st 1917

 My dear Tom,

 Can you help me to get these papers put in order again.  Off Bigge’s payment comes 5 shilling Inc tax he deducts it before he sends it. Papers came this morning.  Both boys left this morning for Bradfield we had to be up at 5. On acct of trains. It was vexing!  Arthur had to go up to London last week and back again, to have his interview and medical exam at Admiralty, they began last week and were taking those who would go either into Navy or Marines first.

 A nice little expense!!  But he traveled up by night and spent one night at Pinner.

 Yours ever

 Signed:  Chas. F. Thorp

 I sent Mothers cheque to Office today to redeem mine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letters REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT

The Rectory

Ovingham-on-Tyne

 July 15th 1917

 My dear Tom

 Do you think Office can advance me £20 into Bank till Aug 1st to keep me right there and carry me on. On Tuesday will do I expect I shall be 4 or 5 overdrawn there by then.  I enclose cheque for £25.

 Jenny saw some of raid in London she was at Lord Roberts workshops, seeing over … at the time; lot of damage done.  Arthur and his companions at … in Burlington House were sent into basement and not told reason, much disgusted saw nothing.  Arthur went up top of St Paul’s one evening and saw the damage to GPO and other paces.

 We are getting parched up here hardly any turnips.

 Yours sincerely

 Signed:  Chas. F Thorp

 Andrew and 400 been removed from Criffeld into Hanover!!!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letters, REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT

The Rectory

Ovingham-on-Tyne

Sept 6 1917

 My dear Tom

 Can the Office help me with £20 this month. Arthur has gone off to the R N College Keyham, Devenport as a Cadet, will be there till Feb. before going to sea proper as Mids. They are crammed there and on board the “Vivid” in the time and if satisfactory are passed on as Midshipmen. He passed his exam quite well.  7th for Navy of the 50 accepted, 90 were in. 1st out of 20 for R Marines and 8 for Indian Army “Quetta.” His outfit is heavy in clothing line etc. And has to have sextant and telescope as soon as he begins work at College.  Mother is helping with outfit but Mary says they are very short till Nov. So I may have to ask for help in Oct. too in advance. And the times are awful.  If the £20 can be paid in by Sat will do. I still have to allow it, rate of £50 a year while at Keyham; ? ? …. pay it.

 What a mess these Russians are making of it.

 Yours sincerely

 Signed: Chas. F. Thorp

 

Andrew Fenwick Thorp

Andrew Fenwick Thorp was the only child of Robert Edward Thorp (the younger brother of Charles Fenwick Thorp.) His father, Robert, had been born to the Reverend Charles Thorp and Frances Fenwick in 1861. He had married Andrew’s mother Alice Maud Hanning, a Gateshead native, in the October of 1889 at Newcastle Upon Tyne. In the following year the couple welcomed their only child, Andrew. Sadly Andrew was orphaned young in the most tragic of circumstances, with his mother dying soon after his birth and his father being lost “at sea” in 1899. Following the death of his parents Andrew was placed in the care of his grandmother, Isabella Frances Fenwick Thorp, and brought up in the family’s spacious seat of Dene Head House in Ryton. In the 1911 census this house was listed as having 17 rooms, including a kitchen, and a large body of staff.

In Andrew’s letters he frequently refers to a ‘G.’ This appears to have been an affectionate nickname for a woman to whom he is very attached, but not yet betrothed.  In a draft of Andrew’s will, dated the 15th February 1912, her full identity is revealed to be Gwendoline Katherine Leonore Maclean. In this particular draft he leaves all his worldly effects to ‘G’ and, if she should pre-decease him, his cousin Charles Arthur Robert Thorp. A Gwendoline Maclean can be found residing in Northumberland in the 1911 census. This Gwendoline had been widowed in 1909 and had returned to the family seat of Shorestone Hall, along with her young son, to live with her father, brothers, sister-in-law and six female servants. One of her brothers was a theatrical actor. Gwendoline’s son had been born in Bangalore India; this was perhaps explained by her first husband coming from a family of British military personnel. This Gwendoline was most likely the ‘G’ in Andrew’s letters, as her brother is named as an executor in drafts of Andrew’s will and often referred to by Andrew as a “close friend.”

However the relationship between Andrew and “G” did not last the war. Instead, at some point between October and December of 1919, Andrew married Mary Primrose Deane in Dublin. Their only child, Juliette Maeve Isobel Primrose Thorp, was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 1925.

Dene Head House

Ryton on Tyne

 Sunday March 31st 1912

 Dear Tom

 I am sorry I have taken such a long time in writing to you but I haven’t had any real time to do things during the week.  I have been carefully over the draft you sent me several times and I am quite sure now that it expresses my wishes exactly and I can think of no alteration or improvement to be made in it.  I never saw you at the Point to Point but I saw your sister and Colin.  Were you there?  The racing was a bit poor I thought. But there was plenty of rank and beauty about.  Roger Marshall and I had a great time. 

I am coming down to Monkhouse at Easter.

 Yours affect

 Signed:  Andrew Thorp

  Northern Conservative Unionist Club

Newcastle upon Tyne

May 29th 1912

Dear Tom

Can you give me any idea of exact amount of capital I am ever likely to have. After five months in the works, I am afraid I don’t think I can go on with it much longer.  Certainly not for 5 years.  At the end of that time I should either have to sit for several exams which my maths would plough me in I am afraid, or else I should have to go to sea and take my tickets which is not much of a life especially down in the engine room. Can farming be possibly made to pay in England. I don’t want to go abroad.  It seems to me that quite a fair average of farmers, who had nothing very much to start on, have managed to make a living out of it.  Do you know what sort of price I ought to pay for mud-pupilling.  I have not told my people of this at present, I am afraid it will be a great disappointment for them my not getting on with the works as I think they had visions of my becoming a manager in 5 years. 

Yours sincerely

Signed:  Andrew Thorp

 Patten Arms Hotel Warrington

Dated Aug 6th (War-Time – assumed 1914)

 Dear Tom

 I am quartered here till Saturday night when I(crossed through), we leave for Blundelsands.  I shall send my address there to you as soon as I can.  I am in the 3rd bat. of the South Lancs regiment.  I feel I ought to make a new Will.  It is not fair to my people to leave everything to G before I am even engaged really to her.  One never knows what may happen in times like these.  So will you draw one up leaving everything I’ve got to Mary in the 1st instance and if she is dead to Arthur, yourself and Frank Long had better be executors as the War won’t last more than a year or so and I can make a new one if I come through.  The executors had better have £100 each.  I will tell you where to send this for my signature as soon as I know.  At present it will only be police work and guarding the Mersey but we expect to have all to go to Belgium.  We have sent off two drafts already to the other two batts.

 Yours affect

 Signed:  Andrew Thorp,  2nd Lieut, 3rd batt, South Lancs

 

We would like to extend a special thanks to the volunteers who have transcribed and listed these wonderful letters, and for their brilliant research which has brought these individuals to life.


 

The Meeting, Marriage and Parting of Ways: The Scandalous Mr Hewgill

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A Wedding Day

On the morning of the 4th March, 1851, Margaret Dawson was preparing for her wedding day. She was, at thirty-eight years old, about to marry the Reverend Francis Hewgill. Margaret had originally hailed from Yorkshire, although she had spent the last few years in Northumberland. Following her Northumbrian wedding she would move to join her new husband in his parish of Trowell, Nottinghamshire. But the bridegroom was not as sprightly as his bride-to-be, instead he was nearing almost seventy years old. Their marriage would only last seven years before Francis’ death left Margaret a hugely affluent widow.

Documents retrospectively analysing the terms of the Hewgill’s marriage settlement, which had taken place over forty years before. REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT

During the 1830s Francis, already nearing his sixties, had volunteered to take care for his nephew Henry Hewgill, aged twenty-two. Henry, despite his youth, already had a wife and infant son, who Francis also took on. The household Francis brought them into was one of order and substance. He had four domestic staff (a number which would slowly dwindle when he lived with Margaret) and he supported his nephew to the best of his abilities. This careful nurturing resulted in Henry following his uncle’s spiritual footsteps and becoming the curate in Crofton, Fareham Hampshire. But Francis’ efforts to raise a gentleman were marred with scandal when, in 1853, Henry Hewgill was dragged before the magistrates at Fareham charged with obtaining money by false pretenses. This conviction pierced the quiet and subdued existence Francis had been enjoying with his caring new wife.

Need or Greed?

Henry had used both his uncle’s good name and that of the Rev W. M. Cosser to persuade two local men to hand over large amounts of money. He claimed the first amount, taken from a shop owner called Thomas Watters, was requested by Rev W. M. Cosser to pay off debts. Henry had forged Cosser’s handwriting to support his story and tricked the shop keeper into believing him. The second amount was fraudulently received from a church warden, Daniel Bartholomew, supposedly on behalf of Henry’s uncle. Once again he claimed the money was part of an owed payment and copied his uncle’s handwriting. But why did Henry need the money? And what had drove a well-stationed man to criminal behaviour?

Intimate Dealings

Henry had married Frances Decoetlogon on the 22nd August 1836, aged just eighteen years old. Five years later the young couple, and their infant son Charles Henry, were living with Henry’s generous uncle Francis Hewgill. Ten years later the couple, joined by two more children called Antonina and Ellen, had set up their own large household. Also living within this house was Henry’s mother, Harriet, and a selection of domestic staff. By 1853 the couple had added one more child to their growing family and had been settled in the area of Crofton for around eighteen months.

But the move to Crofton had not brought the couple joy, and Francis soon sought affection elsewhere. Retrospective newspaper reports claimed that, whilst covering for the local rector during a bout of sickness, Henry had been required to attend the local school more frequency. It was during these visits that a “close intimacy had sprung up” between the curate and the school’s mistress; Miss Macfarlane.

Henry concocted a desperate plan to elope with his lover; obtaining the money to do so by defrauding the aforementioned men. In the November of 1853 Henry and Miss Macfarlane “suddenly left Crofton” and their disgraced families with the stolen money and headed for Boulogne.

Following the couple’s disappearance their families found a secret diary written by the school teacher, and the scandalous entries were later published in the local newspaper. These entries described the dates, times and places of the couple’s illicit meetings and included notes such as “Dear Harry kissed me for the first time.”

During their absence in France the couple were reported to have been “living in the first style, and frequenting the theatre and other places of amusement”. They returned to London after a few weeks and, upon hearing an arrest warrant was out for his fraudulent tricks, Henry abandoned his lover with no money and fled.

When both were found Henry was apprehended to be placed immediately before the courts. He was convicted of having obtained money by false pretenses and imprisoned for six months. Ironically, upon Francis’ death in 1858, his uncle left a personal estate worth just under £6,000. Had Henry and his lover cooled their passions they may have received some of this legacy and been able to elope ‘legally’ but, instead, this money allowed Margaret to live comfortably on independent means until her own death in 1902. Whereupon, having resided in Ripon for the majority of her widowhood, she used the Dickson, Archer and Thorp firm to settle her legacy and effects totaling £10934 1s 6d.

 

We would like to thank the volunteers who have tirelessly transcribed the Hewgill’s marriage settlement and related documents. A document retrospectively concerning the original settlement, and Margaret’s assets, can be viewed along with its transcription here.

 

 

This Week in World War One, 19 April 1918

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 19 APRIL 1918

 

WAR NEWS

TWEEDMOUTH SOLDIER KILLED

It was with profound regret that we learn of the death in action on 23rd March, of Signaller T. W. Logan, Hussars, son of Mr and Mrs George Logan, Railway Buildings, Tweedmouth. The official news only arrived on Sunday last, but for some weeks his parents had been anxious as to his safety. Signaller Logan who was 24 years of age was a quiet studious lad, taking a keen interest in Continuation Class Education where he succeeded in taking his eighty words speed certificate in Shorthand and also became proficient in book-keeping. He received his schooling under Mr John Peacock, Tweedmouth, and then went to the Tweedside Co-Operative Society as a draper, which trade he followed up to the time of his enlistment in January, 1915. He was trained at Stocksfield and York, and later was stationed at Titworth. Proceeding into France with his regiment, he was later invalided home and again being classed fit for service, was drafted to the front again in October last year. The news of his end will come as a blow to the many friends who loved and respected him, and to the bereaved parents the deepest sympathy is extended.

 

BERWICK OFFICER WOUNDED AND MISSING

Lieut. W. Leonard Ward-Davis

 

We are sorry to hear that information has come to Mr and Mrs Ward-Davis, North Terrace, Berwick that their son, Lieut. W. L. Ward-Davis, Kings Royal Rifles, has been wounded in the recent fighting and is missing. In view of the fact that several companies of regiments holding the line were overwhelmed by the German onrush, there is every reason to hope that this gallant young officer has been taken prisoner and we trust reassuring news will be received by his parents soon.

Lieut. Davis joined up as a private on reaching the age of eighteen and proceeded to France in 1916, being wounded six weeks later by slight gunshot in the face. Recovering at a Base hospital in France, he was soon back in the line again and was later sent to this country to go through a course preparatory to taking a commission. He received his commission in the summer of last year, and has since then seen heavy work in France. Prior to enlisting he was employed as a clerk in the Commercial Bank, Berwick, and was educated at Berwick Grammar School.

 

LOCAL NEWS

The Playhouse continues to attract large audiences and maintains its reputation for the fine class and variety of its films. “The Saints Adventure” is the novel title of this week’s film. It depicts the life story of an American pastor. He is appointed to one of the most fashionable New York Churches, whose assets exceed half a million pounds, and its charity balls are a society function. Charlie Chaplin also appears in his inimitable Comedy “The Vagabond”. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday a charming and entertaining comedy entitled “Skinner’s Bubble” is to be filmed. It is a sequel to the one which was recently screened “Skinner’s Dress Suit,” which raised him from the humble position of cashier to that of junior partner. An out and out bluffer the new picture shows Skinner imagining that he can become a Napoleon of the industrial world by starting on his own account. It is then that the partners decide that it would be a tremendous mistake in letting so valuable a person as Skinner go out of the firm. It so happens that just as Skinner is preparing to file his bankruptcy papers, and confess himself a most miserable failure; the partners make him a staggering offer to rejoin their firm. Excellent variety articles are found in Halbert, ventriloquist, and De Lil, illusionist, who are complete in their acts and tricks.

 

SCREMERSTON

We are pleased to see home on a well-earned rest after having been wounded for the third time, Lance-Corporal Thos. Robertson, of Scremerston Hill Farm, Scremerston. We wish him a pleasant holiday.

All men taken by Ballot at Scremerston Colliery last week have passed the medical Board, and are off to Catterick.

An early image of Scremertson Colliery © Northumberland Archives Berwick, BRO 515-209.

Private John Mowitt, N.F., has been home at Scremerston Old Colliery on hospital leave for ten days, he having been in hospital in England for the last four months suffering with his chest and feet. Mowitt has been twice in France, and has seen some fighting, notably Paschendaal. Previous to joining the Army he was an old Territorial, and worked as a miner at Scremerston Colliery. He is married, has a wife and two children.

 

TILLMOUTH

The children of the school, under the tutorship of Mr and Mrs Rathbone, gave a most varied and interesting evening on Friday last of song and play. Sir Francis Blake was in the chair, and in his opening remarks alluded to the high place the school had taken in War Savings Fund and of the good work done in the district in connection with the war. In conclusion Sir Francis said we were here at the invitation of teachers and children to show us parents what is being done to bring out the individuality of the child, as after all when school days are over the confidence of our own individuality was a great factor. For two hours the crowded school were treated to a most delightful programme and to pick out any child for special mention would be unfair. A silver collection was made, and a sum of £8 10s 11d was forthcoming, which Mr Rathbone is handing over to Blind Soldiers’ Children Fund. Expenses were nil, owing to the kindness of a few friends, to whom our thanks are due for putting up stage and carting seats. Special thanks are due to the children for their enthusiasm in their training and also to Mr and Mrs Rathbone for the care and trouble taken. The success of performers will no doubt be ample reward for their kindness in providing such a treat for the district.

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