BERWICK ADVERTISER, 11 JULY 1919

01/08/201912/07/2019 by Northumberland Archives

PEACE PROCLAIMED AT BERWICK

On Saturday morning, at the Town hall, at about 11.20, before the Mayor and Mayoress, the Sheriff, and a few other ladies and gentlemen, on the steps, and a large crowd at the foot, Mayor’s Sergeant Blakey read the King’s Proclamation of Peace, and after that the proclamation of Special peace services in the churches on Sunday. The reading of the proclamations was preceded by a Royal salute blown by two K.O.S.B. buglers in khaki (Corpl. Watson and Drummer Hart). After the Mayor had intimated that a united service would be held in the Playhouse, “God Save the King” was sung with great gusto, and then Sergeant Blakey accompanied by the Deputy Town Clerk (Mr A. Aird), and the two buglers, set out in a motor (Master Bellringer Payne riding in front) to proclaim peace at the following places. The peace services in church were only proclaimed at the Town Hall.

Dr. Maclagan’s Monument

Corner of Tweed Street and Castlegate

Castle Terrace and Castlegate

Foot of High Greens

Foot of Low Greens

Foot of Lower Ravensdowne

Sandgate (before Corn Exchange)

An early 20th century photograph of the Tweedmouth end of the old bridge where one of the peace proclamations was made. BRO 2103/4/2/21b

Tweedmouth Bridge End

Harrow Inn, Tweedmouth

Blenheim Hotel, Spittal

Spittal Forge

This must be the first time a motor car has been used in Berwick for a proclamation of peace. The announcement at so many points quite close together is a relic of days when the dissemination of news was not nearly so easy as it has been this last hundred years.

THE BOROUGH’S FREEDOM FOR WAR SERVICES

Councillor Anderson’s motion that the Freedom of the Borough should be conferred on the Mayor, the Sheriff, Lt,-Col. Scott Jackson, and Lt.-Col Liddell, and all who have served overseas, at sea, and in the air, will be welcomed throughout the Borough. It is no more than their due. Many have done their best or their country within the island, but none will grudge that this particular honour which is being conferred on Berwick’s soldiers and sailors is confined to those who have risked everything to defend their country overseas. We hope that as many of them as possible will join in the dinners at the end of next week, and if they fail to do justice to them, we are confident that it will not be for lack of good things.

LOCAL NEWS

RELICS OF WAR AT THE BARRACKS – On Wednesday a Trench Mortar captured from the Germans by the 1st Battalion, K.O.S.B., arrived in the town and was handed over to the “Stores” at Berwick Depot, where it will await until the battalion claims it. At present there is quite a “menagerie” at the Depot, including several kinds of Hun machine guns, six of which belong to the 1st Battalion, six to the 2nd Battalion, and two to the 6th Battalion. Up to the present there is no immediate danger of any of the Battalions applying for them.

NOTES FROM SPITTAL

CHURCH PARADE

On Sunday morning last the local branch of the Comrades of the Great War responded to the Rev. J. H. Cuthbertson’s invitation and held a Church parade to St. John’s, Spittal. The Parade was in charge of Commandant Pattison, who was assisted by the Secretary, Mr R. St. G. Tait. Scremerston Band, under Bandmaster Whitfield, also attended, and took part in the musical portion of the service.

The Scremerston Brass Band which took part in the musical portion of a special peace service in St John’s Church, Spittal. Berwick Record Office – BRO 1753-2a.

About 100 Comrades turned out and there were also on parade a section of the Northumberland Fusilier cadets. Capt. C. L. Fraser, O.C. 4th V.B.N.F., and Lieuts. McCreath and Tweedie were also present.

Special Peace Sermons and prayers being ordered in all Churches, Mr Cuthbertson devoted himself almost entirely to giving thanks to God for the great blessing of peace which they fervently hoped would be an enduring one. He also brought out in the course of his remarks the spirit of brotherhood which should be the symbol of the Comrades and said he hoped that organisations such as theirs would prove a strengthening force in the years which lay before them.

Suitable hymns were sung, in which the men heartily joined while at the conclusion of the service, the band led in the National Anthem.

The Parade was reformed outside the Church and headed by the band, marched to the Ferry Landing where the men were dismissed.

BERWICK AND FOULDEN DIVORCE CASE

In the Court of Sessions on Thursday, before Lord Anderson, Robert Hunter Lees, provision manager, 76, Meigle Street, Galashiels, and an employee of Messrs R. Dodds & Sons, grocers, Berwick, was granted a divorce against Grace M’Cormack or Lees, Foulden, Burnbank, Berwickshire, on the grounds of infidelity.

“I do not love you now,” wrote Mrs Lees to her husband, while he was in France with his regiment. Parties were married in July, 1917, and in August he left for France. Mrs Lees had given birth to an illegitimate child in January 1919.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 20 JUNE 1919

21/06/2019 by Northumberland Archives

NOTES FROM SPITTAL

Reconstruction is everywhere on the lips of the people, but not everywhere is it assuming tangible form, as in Spittal. The “Spa Well” is benefiting either by the war or something else, as it is now, and has been for many weeks past undergoing the process of reconstruction. Perhaps after all, the war is not really responsible for all the activity.

The real reason is probably to be found in the fact that the spiggot from which emanated the diuretic fluid had ceased to attract from the spring quantities sufficient to form a medicinal draught, the liquid having become as scarce as whisky in the village. The new structure occupies a site nearer the public highway than does the obsolete well, and when competed will not at least detract from the appearance of the “green”. It is to be hoped that the supply obtainable will be sufficient to meet the needs of visitors and villagers alike. A little gingering up on the part of the Authority to have the work completed is necessary if some of the visitors are to share in the benefits of the potent beverage.

LOCAL NEWS

On Monday, a great day for Tweedmouth, Lord John Sangers’ Circus visited the Meadow Field, and gave two performances. In the afternoon the audience was composed mainly of children, the schools, being granted a half-holiday in honour of the occasion. Another performance was held in the evening, when the huge marquee was packed. It was an all-round good show thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. The horses are all well trained, and one of the most beautiful animals ever seen in the town was “Lily of the Valley,” a pure white Arabian mare, her dancing to music being most graceful. The displays of Indian trick riding on bare-backed horses was most wonderful, and even the great ponderous elephants seem to make quite docile pupils in the hands of capable trainers. Another good item was the two sea lions “Jack” and “Baby,” trained by Leyland to perform the most extraordinary balancing feats with balls, boxes, etc., after which that were rewarded with liberal supplies of fish, eagerly devoured. There were so many items it is impossible to mention all, but the displays of telephone wire walking, dancing, etc., by the ladies were all very fine. Of course no Circus is quite complete without its clowns, and Alberto and Pimpo supplied merriment all through the performances. Most men would rather resent being described as having no backbone, but when applied to Pimpo with his wonderful somersaults and other athletic feats, the description becomes a compliment. He was not only funny but amazingly clever as well, and seemed to be able to do anything from riding bare-back to wire-rope walking etc. To be a circus hand must be a very tiring life, the men are always on the go, and strains of “God Save the King” marking the close of the performance, had scarcely died away, when the attendants started to strip the place. Turning round as one left the tent, the plank upon which one had been seated but a moment before, was, among others, seen piled up on a waggon ready for removal elsewhere. The life is not without its attractions, however, and during the war, as was evidenced by the number of gold stripes and “Mons” chevrons on the sleeves of the attendants, many circus hands have done their bit for the country. The elephants have also been employed on land work.

On Saturday Berwick’s own particular Tank, which is at present lying at the Railway Station, is to crawl to its appointed destination in Palace Green. During the past few days workmen have been busy preparing the site in the centre of the Old Bowling Green, and the railings and part of the wall on the east side have been removed ready for its reception.

Pictured in this early photograph is the WW1 tank in Palace Green, it was positioned there in 1919.

From what we have heard of the capabilities of Tanks, we should have thought that railings and walls would have offered no obstacle to the monster. The official presentation is to be made by Major General Ernest Dunlop Swinton, C.B., D.S.O., R.E., who played so prominent a part in the invention of these tanks. General Swinton, who comes of the same stock as the Berwickshire Swintons, has had a distinguished military career. Entering the army in 1888, his promotion was rapid, and during the South African War he was awarded the D.S.O., and was also mentioned in despatches. In the Great War he has been also mentioned in despatches on several occasions, and in 1917 was made a C.B. The following year he mead a tour in the United States, where he told of his own experiences in the war. He has a considerable reputation as an author, and writes under the pseudonym “Ole-Luk-Oie. His best known works are “The Defence of Duffer’s Drift” (1904), “The Great Tab Done” (1915), and “A Year Ago” (1916). As will be seen from an advertisement in our columns, the inhabitants of Berwick are to be given an opportunity on Saturday of inspecting the inside of the Tank, if they purchase a War Savings Certificate at the temporary bank to be opened in the Scout Hall.

Lieut Stewart Reid, of Foulden, Lost in the Baltic

MEMORIAL SERVICE AT FOULDEN

On Sunday evening a Memorial Service for the men of the village who had fallen in the war was held in the Parish Church. An added element of sadness having come during the past week in the news of the death of Lieut. J. Stewart Reid, D.S.C., R.N., son of the parish minister, caused the solemn proceedings to be partly devoted to that officer’s memory.

The pulpit was draped in black and purple, and a miniature “Jack” hung from the lectern. Behind the pulpit was the White Ensign, and two lovely floral tributes in the shape of an anchor and cross hung on the wall at each side. The communion table was also decorated with a profusion of white lilac blooms.

The tolling of the church bell drew villagers to the place of worship, and in the pews were several whose families had suffered bereavement in the war.

The Rev. John Reid, accompanied by his sons and other relatives, was present during the service.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 5 JUNE 1919

07/06/2019 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK FAIR

Shorn of much of its former glory, Berwick Fair was opened by the Mayor and other civic heads on Friday last, when as usual the procession, headed by the Borough Police under Chief Constable Nicholson and the Sergeant at Mace, made a tour up the High Street and returned round the booths. High Street presented a busy appearance, thereafter the dish sellers making the air alive with the rattle of crockery and banter.

OPENING OF THE MAY FAIR 1968 REF: BRO 2103-619

The cattle and grain markets were held on the Friday as in former years but why this is so seems a little strange when one hears so much about increasing the production on the land. Why farmers should have to attend market on a Friday and the farm servants come in force to the town on the day following does not look as if the tillage of the land was being made of first importance. Surely some arrangement might be made for the market day and Saturday half-holiday to take place together and prevent the wastage of valuable time. It cannot be that the cattle market is held on a day when the streets will not be so thronged with people, for that market is again held on the Saturday.

The absence of the May Day Horse Procession detracted from the proceedings on Saturday though the Scout Band filled up the afternoon and gave inspiring pipe selections to large audiences.

In High Street there was the usual collection of booths and for the first year since 1914 there were yards upon yards of floor cloth on offer at reasonable prices. Dalzell, the ‘witty’, who can charm the most hardened purchasers, Harris who can sell an axe guaranteed to chop the head off the entire Hohenzollern family, and a representative of one of the lost tribes or Israel, did a fine business during the day.

There was one round-about on the Parade this year and several side shows. Staid residents so far unbent to enjoy a “whirl” round in “motors” which never need to have running repairs done to them, while the popular houp-la, kindled the gambling instincts in those who look for something for nothing.

With things in a more settled condition next year it is hoped the Fair will once more come into its own, or at least have a share of its past glamour.

For the first time within memory the “mug stalls” finished up on Monday night, packing up and clearing out on Tuesday to the great disappointment of many intending purchasers who held off till Tuesday and Wednesday in the hope of scooping up bargains on the last two days of the Fair.

NORHAM WAR MEMORIAL

SOLEMN DEDICATION CEREMONY IN HISTORIC VILLAGE

On Wednesday evening the historic village of Norham, famous in story and hoary in legendary associations, saw the dedication of a memorial to the men who in the late war faced all the devilries of modern warfare and fell in the fight for all that mankind holds dear.

Down on a grassy patch near the entrance to the Churchyard the memorial reared its graceful pillar, clearly outlined against the background of summer green, holding its symbol of sacrifice aloft as an inspiration to all passers-by.

The ceremony was naturally tinged with sadness, but yet in those who had suffered and were gathered to see the unveiling of a memorial to the memory of their lost ones, there was a feeling of honourable pride that they were called upon to share in the sacrifice of their loved ones.

THE MEMORIAL CROSS

The cross, which was erected by public subscription from the inhabitants of the village, the highest and most humble, was placed on order some time ago with Messrs Rhind, sculptors, Belford Road, Edinburgh, the firm which executed the Leitholm memorial. The design chosen was that of an old 10th Century Celtic Cross ( or St. Cuthbert’s Cross), with ornamental band carving symbolical of eternal life. The bases of the cross are in three tiers, and the ground space covered is about 5 ½ feet square. The shaft rises some ten feet, is ornamented with the symbolic band work, and the inscription in raised letters. The whole is surmounted by an ornamented St. Cuthbert’s Cross.

The inscription on the shaft reads as follows: -“Erected to the memory of those who laid down their lives for their country in the Great War, from August 1914, to November 1918.” Below the inscription is a space left upon which to engrave a full list of the names of those who have fallen. On the base is the inscription: – “Lest we forget those who laid down their lives that we might live.” The stone chosen for the memorial is a close-grained freestone, which should stand all weathers.

LOCAL NEWS

Few men in Berwick can boast of having served 44 years with the same firm. This record has been accomplished by Mr Peter Jeffrey of the firm of Messrs Thompson Bros., iron mongers, High Street, who are closing down shortly. When Mr T. Thompson, along with his brother, the late Mr B. G. Thompson started business in 1875, Mr Jeffrey went as an apprentice and has continued with the firm ever since. He has therefore had a long experience in business, and during this time has seen many changes both in the owners of the shops in High Street, and in the shops themselves. Mr Jeffrey was the son of the late Mr James Jeffrey, blacksmith, Castlegate, and married Miss Cowe, a sister of Mr J. C. Cowe, fishmerchant, High Street. They had two sons, the elder of whom, Private James Jeffrey, 7th N.F., made the supreme sacrifice at St. Julien in April 1915, when the local N.F.’s first went into action. Private Jeffrey was one of the young men of the town who joined the 7th N.F. after Baden-Powell’s recruiting meeting at Berwick. The younger son, Robert Cowe Jeffrey, has a flourishing dairy business at 92 Castlegate, and will receive the help of his father on his retirement from Messrs Thompson Bros. Mr and Mrs Jeffrey are members of Wallace Green Church and very highly respected citizens of Berwick.

Mrs R. R. Riddell, Quay Walls, Treasurer of the Berwick War Hospital Supply Depot has received grateful acknowledement (sic) from the Matron of Edenhall Hostel for Limbless Sailors and Soldiers for the sum of £100 17s, the residue of the funds of the depot on closing in March.

The poignant statue “Victory over Blindness” which now stands outside the entrance to Manchester Piccadilly Station was unveiled on 16 October, 2018, by the Countess of Wessex. © David Dixon / *Victory over Blindness Statue, Manchester Piccadilly /* CC BY-SA 2.O.

Acknowledgements have also been received from the Comrades of the Great War and from St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blinded Sailors and Soldiers both of which institutions also received donations.

A rumour got about over the week-end that a dog had been found to be suffering from rabies, and had bitten children in the upper part of the town. This proved, however, to be unfounded. A stray dog it appears had tried its teeth upon some youngsters who had touched it, but has paid the penalty by being sent “west.” For the benefit of timorous readers we need only say that far from being mad, the dog was not even feeble minded.

A report of the work of Campus Library has been published. The success of this excellent scheme for providing literature for the troops, is largely due to the Postmasters, and the sub-postmasters in all the country districts, who have worked hard throughout the war in collecting books. Up to the signing of the Armistice some 14 million publications had been dealt with by the Camps Library. These were sent to the Armies in France, Salonika, Egypt, British East Africa, Mesopotamia, Italy and Russia. Many thousands went to hospitals, to the Mission to Seamen, British and Foreign Sailors Society and the Chamber of Commerce for use of the Navy. Nearly other (sic) two millions have been dealt with between November and March 1919 when the Camps Library as a War Charity was closed. Many letters of appreciation have been received from soldiers. During the four years and five months the sum of £46,300 13s 2d has passed through the hands of the Treasurer.

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