On the night of Monday 26th March 1917, the Ashington Coal Company hosted the first of four presentations to reward employees who had won great distinction in the First World War. On this occasion twenty-three men were honoured, for their bravery and their gallantry in their respective theatres of war, three of the men had been killed in the line of duty.
The presentation took the form of a silver cup, individually engraved with the recipient’s name and a few words of appreciation from the Ashington Coal Company. This ceremony was later repeated a further three times in February 1918, July 1919 and finally in February 1922, with 91 silver bowls, presented to the men or to their families. The men had gained the following distinctions: two men were awarded a Military Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal; twelve men were recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal; one man received a Military Medal and bar; one man received a Serbian Gold medal, and seventy-five men were recipients of the Military Medal.
In September 2015 at the beginning of the ‘Weeping Window’ poppy exhibition we were approached by a lady who asked if we would be interested in a rose bowl for the collection. The family belief was that her grandfather was presented with this bowl for saving the life of the son of an official from the Ashington Coal Company during the First World War, but as he never spoke of it, they could not be certain.
On the night of 6th February 1918, 132670 Sapper James Smith of the 254/7 Tunnelling Corps, Royal Engineers, was presented with his silver bowl at the Harmonic Hall in Ashington. The newspaper report in the Morpeth Herald published two days later on the 8th gave this account of the reason behind his reward “Sapper James Smith, Tunnelling Coy., Strong’s Buildings, Choppington, M.M. For saving three men’s lives in a mine explosion in France”. The bowl was presented in appreciation of his bravery, in saving the men’s lives.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Derek Holcroft whose painstaking research found reference to these presentations taking place and to Deborah Moffat for supplying this article for our Northumberland At War Project.
The ejection of a recruiting sergeant, dressed in full khaki uniform, and with the familiar bunch of coloured ribbons flowing from his cap, caused an unpleasant and regrettable scene at Berwick Station on Wednesday evening. He was a tall middle aged soldier with grey hair, bound south in a corridor train. The temporary loss of his pass was the cause of all the trouble the possessor having mislaid it amid quite a large collection of clothing which he carried. Had the soldier left the carriage quietly it would have been all right, but this he declined to do. He persisted in having another futile search for the missing ticket, and as the express could not wait he was requested to leave the compartment. This he was in no mind to do, and forcibly resisted. The station master ultimately entered the compartment, and with the assistance of other officials, succeeded in forcing the muscular warrior out, all his belongings being heaped on to the platform. It would have fared ill perhaps with Berwick’s stationmaster had he not had assistance at hand, as the brawny fellow in khaki was thoroughly aroused, and made an abortive effort to lay violent hands on whom he considered responsible for his ejectment.
Berwick Railway Station during World War One (c) Berwick Record Office
Retreating, however, behind the open carriage door, and exclaiming to the discomfited soldier “stand off,” the stationmaster was able to elude the attentions of the angry soldier, and meanwhile some of the other station officials came in between. As the express glided out of the station on its southward journey the soldier found quite a number of sympathisers. “Aye,” exclaimed one woman, “that’s the way they treat the men that are asked to die for us.” The soldier, assisted by some boys, commenced to examine the contents of his luggage, chief attention being concentrated upon the contents of the kit bag which each man in the army possesses. After a short search a woman observed what she took to be the pass, and fortunately it turned out to be the much required parchment. It is much to be regretted that such a scene should be witnessed, and our correspondent thinks it might have been avoided had a little more tact and thoughtfulness been displayed. Would it not have been sufficient to have taken the name, address, and number of the gallant sergeant, wired to the next station where tickets are examined, and thus allowed him a chance of securing his temporarily lost ticket while en route? It seems incredible to think of such a deplorable incident occurring when the Government has taken over the charge of the railways. The station officials, no doubt, have a difficult task to perform, and, it is understood they have received strict instructions to allow no man in khaki to travel who cannot produce a pass. They were, therefore, presumably strictly carrying out the instruction laid down for their observance.
LOCAL NEWS
FEMALE ATTENDANTS WANTED for the Northumberland County Asylum, Morpeth. Applicants must be in good bodily health, not less than 5ft. 5in in height, and able to read and write. Wages begin at £19 5s per annum, with board, lodging, uniform and washing. Applications, stating age and height, to be addressed to the Medical Superintendent. At least two thoroughly satisfactory references as to character required; one must be from last employer. The appointment will be made subject to the provisions of the Asylums Officers’ Superannuation Act, 1909.
KNOCKED DOWN BY A MOTOR CAR. A rather serious accident befell Mrs Robertson, Spittal, while she was crossing the Old Bridge on Friday evening about 7.30. It appears that she was crossing from one side of the Bridge to the other pushing a perambulator containing her baby, when she was suddenly knocked down by a car driven by Mr D. Atkinson, dentist Berwick, and she was severely injured about the head. The child was knocked out of the perambulator but marvellously escaped being injured. Mrs Robertson was rendered unconscious and was conveyed in the car by Mr Atkinson to the Infirmary. She had recovered so far on Wednesday as to be removed to her father’s Mr John Renwick, Walkergate, Berwick. Mrs Robertson’s husband is serving at the front.
ITEMS OF INTEREST
MOTOR CYCLING – A motor cyclist who has put in a lengthy spell on active service in France writes : – The Dunlop tyres, extra heavy, 26 by 2½ by 2¼ , are doing splendid work, and on most of the machines the original tyres are still in use. The average mileage is at least 8000, traversed over terrible roads, yet the treads are still perfect. The back tyres are nearly as good as the front, due, no doubt, to the chain-cumbelt drive, which is the most flexible drive in use, and largely accounts for the excellent service done by the Dunlop belts, some of the originals being still on. This last point is one of great interest, possibly of debate.
Borough Coroner Wm. Weatherhead and a jury held an enquiry in the Town Hall, Berwick on Wednesday afternoon into the circumstances attending the death of Lilian Thomson, three years of age, daughter of William Thomson, licensed victualler, Anglers’ Arms, Castlegate who was found drowned in the Tweed on Tuesday.
William Thomson, father of deceased, deponed that the child was in the habit of going out by itself. She was generally accompanied by a little dog- a terrier. He never heard of her wandering down to the New Road before the body was brought home about 12.30 on Tuesday afternoon.
Joseph Payne, 47 West Street, message boy with Mr Shiel Dods, butcher, deponed that he knew the deceased girl. He saw her above Scotsgate about ten minutes to eleven in the forenoon on Tuesday near the drinking fountain. She had a little black and white dog with her. She held out her hand to him, and he gave her a piece of apple to give to the dog. Witness told her to go home. He could not make out what she said, but she came down the street and turned into the road leading to Bankhill, the dog being with her.
James Handeyside, retired engine driver, deponed he was walking on the New Road with Mr David Leggat on Tuesday forenoon. They were walking very slowly, and when near the Conqueror’s Well he noticed, near the steps leading to the shore what he thought to be a bladder floating in the water. He stopped and remarked the circumstances to his companion, Mr Leggat. He went forward to the edge of the water, and thought he saw a leg of a child, but he could not see the head. The tide was about full. He too off his topcoat and hat, went down the steps, and waded into the water fetching the body out. A woman assisted him to take the body up the steps as he was afraid of slipping. The body when he first saw it was about fourteen feet past the steps, near to the boathouse. When going down the steps he observed the child’s shoes and stockings.
By the father – he took the body out in two minutes from the time of first observing it.
Witness further stated that he saw the little white dog afterwards.
Mr Leggat corroborated, and said he proceeded to Dr Taylor’s house immediately for medical assistance.
Dr John Taylor said he was called upon about ten minutes to twelve, and went to the New
Berwick Rowing Club Boat House where the body was discovered. BRO 0426-440
Road. He saw the body at the steps already mentioned. It was lying on the grass at the side of the roadway. He examined it. There did not appear to be any bruises. The mouth and nose were full of froth, and life was quite extinct. He saw the little dog, which was wet up to the shoulders.
In answer to the father he said no amount of rubbing would have restored life as the child was dead, and was so before he arrived.
In answer to the jury, Mr Handeyside said he made efforts to restore animation, and did what he could to expel the water from the lungs. He had in early life received lessons in first-aid.
The Coroner said it was manifest that the child had been a considerable time in the water before it was observed, as it had floated down the stream a bit. It was a very sad case. It was conjectural that the child had taken of its boots to wash the dog.
The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the evidence.
BILLIARDS MATCH AT FORD
A team of six chosen from the soldiers at Etal Manor Red Cross Hospital “fought an engagement” with a team from the members of the Ford Reading Room on the afternoon of Saturday, 16th October. The Ford men having the advantage of “ground” carried off the honours of the day by 120 points. The victors then proceeded to treat their opponents to most generous hospitality. For an invitation had been given to all the soldiers (26) at Manor to be the guests at tea, of the following members Messrs W. Gray, W.P. Calder, J. H. Binks, W. Glass, Russell, Smith, Steel, Waters. During the afternoon whist was indulged in by the non-players The Hon. Secretary announced before the close of play that in the future all the soldiers at the Manor were to consider themselves hon. members of the Ford Reading Room. For this privilege our thanks are due to Lord Joicey, Bishop Neligan, and all the members of the Reading Room. Due to the kindness of the Committee a match was played a short time ago at Ford, between the soldiers and a team from Wooler. On that occasion the Right Rev. Bishop Neligan kindly provided tea for all the soldiers.
Etal Ford
Pte. Glossop 49 W. Glass 100
Pte. Swinbourne 47 W. P. Calder 100
Sgt. Sly 100 Mr Russell 73
Pte. Squires 100 H. Sanderson 87
Pte. Ramsley 59 J. Waters 100
Pte. Carlton 85 J.H. Binks 100
HARVEST THANKSGIVING
On Thursday evening a harvest thanks-giving service was held in the Kiln Hill Mitchell Memorial Hall, Tweedmouth. The hall was crowded, the platform being tastefully decorated with fruit and flowers. Addresses were given by Messrs McBain and Caldwell. Solos were sung by the Sisters of the Faith Mission, and by the choir, under the leadership of Mr Anderson. Mr Mark Anderson presided at the organ.
SUGGESTION FOR SOLDIERS ARRIVING AT BERWICK STATION
Sir, – I have seen a letter from the front, written by one of our Territorials in which the following passage occurs – “You might keep me going now in shirts and socks – thick warm ones of both. We do a lot of night work now, and it’s very cold o’ nights here, and besides we often get wet feet. “
The writer of that letter will now have received his first shirts and socks from home, but – here is one of the reasons of your being troubled with this letter – there must be many of our lads at the front who need them as much, but who cannot get them. Can nothing be done to supply their urgent needs by those at home who are comfortable and safe throught the sacrifices of these lads?
Another matter occurs to me as requiring attention. I am told that nearly every morning soldiers arrive at Berwick Station by the 4.30 train. Is it the wish of the people of Berwick that these men, who have come forward to fight for US, should hang about Berwick Station for a few hours on these cold, bleak mornings without a cup of tea or coffee and a bite to eat? I don’t think so Mr Editor. I am inclined to think better of Berwick people than that, and some way of managing it can surely be found if we are willing to pay for it.
