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

 

THE RIDLEYS OF PARK END, WARK A NORTHUMBERLAND FAMILY

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Amongst the many collections held by Northumberland Archives are records of the Ridley family of Park End, an estate in the Tynedale area of Northumberland. One of our project volunteers has looked at letter books of the estate and has prepared this short blog about the effect the war had on the estate. Throughout our project we will be examining records that look at the impact the First World War had on the home front in Northumberland.
The estate letter books for the war period start in January 1916 [Ref: – NRO 3386/20-24] when John Farbridge took over as Agent. Charles Noel Ridley inherited the estate on the death of his father, John Hilton Ridley, but died from injuries on active duty in France on 7 October 1915 and was succeeded by his younger brother Arthur Hilton Ridley who had been invalided out of the Army.
The letters show the difficulties of running a large estate during the War. There were regulations about everything. They were told how many fields had to be ploughed for crops and how many left grass for cattle and sheep. Permits had to be obtained for selling hay and straw (if caught selling without a permit people were prosecuted and fined), for obtaining spare parts for farm machines, etc.
Men were being called up despite the war effort to grow food and no exemptions allowed. Women were being employed as Land Army Girls and John Farbridge acknowledges their contribution in one letter. A Rat Catcher was employed to deal with a plague of rats eating the bags of oats, etc. before they could be shipped out, but although he killed a few hundred they were still a problem!
The life of the family is illustrated in the letters. Arthur worked at Hawthorn Leslie & Co. Ltd. building ships for the Admiralty. One of his sisters, Mary, worked at the War Information Office.
To be continued next week with the story about Charles Noel Ridley & his wife.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Jean Wilkinson for supplying this article for our Northumberland At War Project.

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