World War One

This Week in World War One, 15 October 1915

08/03/201816/10/2015 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 15 OCTOBER 1915

BAMBURGH

Wedding of Miss Weatherston and Gunner E. Littlefair – On Saturday last a very pretty wedding took place at St. Aidan’s Church, Bamburgh. The contracting parties were Eleanor, eldest daughter of Mr H. Weatherston of Bamburgh, and Gunner E. Littlefair, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Littlefair of Bamburgh. A choral service, officiated by the vicar (the Rev. E. Williams), assisted by the Rev. F. Long of Lucker, was held. The bride was dressed in white shantung silk, veil, and wreath of orange blossom. Miss S. Weatherston, sister of the bride, and Miss Littlefair, sister of the bridegroom, acted as bridesmaids, and the Misses Campbell, Newcastle, as attendants. The bridesmaids wore dresses of blue silk poplin and fawn felt hats and the attendants wore dresses of white net lace and little mob caps. The bride carried a bouquet of white heather, and the attendants each carried a basket of sweet peas. Sapper P. Littlefair, brother of the bridegroom, acted as best man.

The bride was given away by her father. A guard of honour was formed by men from the Northern Cyclist Battalion and Sea Scouts. After the ceremony a reception was held at the Lord Crewe Arms Hotel where an excellent tea was provided by the Misses Morpeth, and there were many friends of the bride and bridegroom present. The Vicar made a very interesting speech, as did also the schoolmaster (Mr T.W.Little) and various toasts were given, to which the bride and bridegroom suitably responded. Later in the day the happy couple left for Edinburgh where the honeymoon was spent. The bride’s travelling costume was blue with black velvet hat. The presents were numerous and useful, and included some valuable articles. The bride’s gift to the bridegroom was a signet ring, and that of the bridegroom to the bride was a dressing case and furs. The bridegroom presented the bridesmaids with pendants.

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

A DISORDERLY HOUSE

Mary Jefferson, married woman, West Street, Berwick, was charged with allowing her premises to be used as a brothel on the 5th Oct. Defendant did not appear.

The Chief Constable said there had been considerable complaints about this woman.

P.C. Welsh said with P.C. Spiers he went to defendant’s house and found indecent behaviour going on in the house.

P.C. Spiers corroborated.

Defendant was sentenced to two months’ hard labour without the option of a fine.

DRUNK WHILE DRIVING CATTLE

George Scott Davis, plasterer, Berwick, was charged with being drunk and incapable while in charge of two bullocks belonging to Mr Foreman, butcher, Norham. Defendant pleaded not guilty.

P.C. Spiers said about 1.20 p.m. the previous day he saw defendant in Main Street, Tweedmouth, in charge of two bullocks. Defendant was very drunk. Witness got the bullocks penned and brought defendant to the Police Station.

P.C. Smith said defendant was very drunk when brought to the Police Station. Defendant was hardly able to look after himself without having charge of cattle.

Fined 5s or seven days.

Berwick Advertiser Advert E.Dickinson & Son — Berwick Advertiser Advert R. Dickinson & Son

HOW GERMAN CHEMISTS RUIN THE HAIR

Specialist’s Startling Exposure

Gaudy labels and fancy bottles cannot beautify the hair and make it grow; yet, according to one of our greatest authorities on the care of the hair and scalp, there is very little else to recommend the German made hair tonics which are still being offered for sale in this country. Crude methylated spirit, dyes, colouring matter and perfume form the principal

Edwardian girls hairstyles - Image from unknown periodical. — Edwardian girls hairstyles – Image from unknown periodical.

ingredients of most of these hair tonics, and the men and women who use them because they are cheap wonder why their hair turns grey, becomes dry and brittle and finally falls out. The reason is not hard to find. Surely, even if it costs just a trifle more it is better to obtain a British-made hair tonic. British chemists stake their reputation upon the quality of their products. As an instance there is Lavona Hair Tonic – a preparation which can be obtained locally from John Brown, 5 High Street, Berwick; F.R. Padley, Market Place, Wooler; and most other high class chemists everywhere. There is no need for secrecy regarding the composition of this excellent hair and scalp tonic. It is prepared from 3 ozs. Bay Rum, 1oz. Lavona de Compossee, ¼ drachm Menthol Chrystals, and a little perfume, and readers can, if they wish, obtain the necessary ingredients and make the tonic themselves. But the majority will prefer to obtain the complete Lavona Hair Tonic from the chemist, firstly because it is put up in special sprinkler topped bottles which economise the tonic, and secondly because with each bottle the chemist gives a signed guarantee that he will refund your money unless Lavona Hair Tonic actually makes your hair grow longer and more beautiful and eradicates scurf and dandruff from your scalp.

This Week in World War One, 8 October 1915

08/03/201809/10/2015 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 8 OCTOBER 1915

BATHING POND IMPROVEMENT SUGGESTED

One of the items alluded to by the Medical Officer of Health was the dangerous state of the two swimming ponds. He did so in connection with the healthy and invigorating effect such exercises as swimming have on a community. He called attention to the need of a catch rope round the walls of the ponds in case of accident. It was a most proper recommendation, but unfortunately not the slightest notice was taken of it. The bathing season, it is true, is now finished for another year, but at the same time there was no harm in the doctor mentioning the matter to the public body he so faithfully serves. In Montrose, for instance, there are life lines on the beach where bathing is indulged in, and it is very necessary. The plain fact is that the chief difficulty apparently in carrying out improvements in Berwick is the lack of sufficient money, but it is nevertheless the business of public officials in their reports to urge the absolute need of certain improvements being accomplished, allowing the Town Council to take the responsibility of giving effect to these.

BRO 1636-9-42 Berwick Bathing Pools 1950's — BRO 1636-9-42 Berwick Bathing Pools 1950’s

BELFORD

Fined for Shooting a Plover- Robert Linklater, Westoe, South Shields, was charged, at Belford Petty Sessions, with shooting and killing a green plover, at Warenford, on the 9th September. When charged with the offence by P.C. Pike, the accused said he did not know that these birds were protected. Superintendent T. Bolton, Alnwick, who prosecuted, told the Bench that the Order had been in force for several years, and it was astonishing the number or persons who pleaded the same excuse. A fine of half a crown was inflicted.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Educational Entertainment for Berwick School Children- The Directors of the “Playhouse” have arranged with Berwick Educational Committee for a programme of educational films to be shown free of charge to the school children of the Borough on Thursday and Friday afternoons, October 7th and 8th, at 2.30p.m. The balcony will be reserved for the public at admission 6d. The programme is :- How Eggs are Tested; Malta; the Making of Motor Tyres, the Kestrel and the Harvest Mouse; the French Army in Alsace; Chrysanthemums; the Octopus, Children of Tulip Land ( coloured); Switzerland; and Alpine Soldiers.

Berwick Playhouse, 1959. BRO 1250-123 — Berwick Playhouse, 1959.
BRO 1250-123

SCREMERSTON

Presentation- On Saturday evening last, the night workmen at Scremerston Colliery presented Mr and Mrs Richard Collins with tokens of their good will and appreciation on their leaving the district for Pegswood, where Mr Collins has received another appointment. Mr Collins received the present of a fountain pen and an umbrella, while Mrs Collins was the recipient of a nice dressing case. The presentation took place in the large room of the Miners Arms, kindly lent for the occasion by Mrs Cuthbert. Mr Carson, in making the presentation, expressed his deep regret and that of the men in losing the company of Mr Collins, who for the last six years had taken a keen interest and a prominent part in the social life of the place. They would all wish him success in his new sphere of work at Pegswood. Mr Collins briefly replied. A social evening was afterwards spent, the following being the programme:-

Selection-“Old Melodies, “ Concertina Band

Concertina solo– “March, the Liberty Bell, “ T. Cameron

Song– “My playmates of long ago, “ H. Drysdale

Step Dance- “Hornpipe,” Geo. Mason

Song– “When you and I were young, Maggie, “- T. Cameron

Violin and Concertina Duet– “Norma, “ Messrs Mason and Cameron

Selection– “Scotch Melodies, “ Concertina Band

Presentation

Selection– “Favourite Airs, “ Concertina Band

Concertina solo– “Alice, where art thou?” T. Cameron

Song- “Tom Bowling, “ T. Hill

Song– “The Pitman’s Courtship, “ T. McLeod

Concertina solo– “The Bagpipes, “ Geo. Forsyth

Song– “Mary, “ T. Cameron

Song– “Flora McDonald’s Lament, “ T. Mcleod

Selection– “Reels, Jigs, Strathspeys, Hornpipes, “ Concertina Band

“God Save the King.”

War Hero Dies in Colliery Accident – 1929

08/03/201808/10/2015 by Northumberland Archives

Sgt. William Kay served throughout the First World War, only to be killed by a fall of stone at Woodhorn Colliery on 13th May 1929. William had been employed at Woodhorn Colliery as a Hewer – a miner who loosens rock and minerals in a mine – and died as a result of injuries sustained following a fall of stone. He has been working at the colliery for 18 weeks and left a widow aged 23, a daughter aged 2 and a son who was 1. His average weekly wage, including his allowances was £2. 4s & 11d.

According to his gravestone he had served with the 7th Battalion of Northumberland Fusiliers T.F. [Territorial Force]. Interestingly his grave stone records his rank as Sgt. yet he worked in the collieries at the time of his death. This is very unusual – we have not seen this before. We have all seen programmes on TV where retired officers retain the title of their rank after leaving the Army. Examples of this include Captain Hastings in Poirot, Captain Peacock in Are you Being Served or the Major from Fawlty Towers! So why was he buried as Sergt? The entry in the burial register of St Bartholomew’s, Newbiggin by the Sea [ref – EP 21/17] just states William, there is no rank mentioned?
Could it be that being a ‘Sergeant’ meant a lot to William and this could be the reason the family decided to add his rank to the headstone, as a mark of respect. Certainly he must have been well respected by his unit and the people of Newbiggin by the Sea as his funeral was well attended. You can see a number of military personnel lining the route into the churchyard heads bowed as he passes as well as uniformed poll-bearers. [See images below.]
Was such a funeral common at this time? Has anyone come across any other local funerals like this one after the First World War?
We know he was born and schooled in County Durham from information on the 1911 census. His occupation on the marriage entry in the parish records states ‘Miner’ living in Newbiggin, when he married Lilian Price at Woodhorn church in 1925. The register records that William’s father and his wife’s father were also coalminers. The couple had three children, two whilst they probably shared a home with the Price family (in Sutherland Avenue, Newbiggin-By-The-Sea – the address where Lilian was living when she married).
William and Lilian appear to have moved out to Downie’s Buildings by the birth of their third child (a few doors from where Lilian and her family had lived in 1911), which would probably have been poor accommodation in comparison to Sutherland Avenue.
Their first son was only a few months old when he died and not long after William’s death his second son Kenneth died [8th September 1929]. Kenneth is mentioned on his father’s headstone. The burial register records Sgt. Kay living in the Bungalows (huts) at Newbiggin, but his wife and child’s records both before and after his death quote Downie’s Buildings as place of residence.
A small article relating to his inquest was located in the Blyth News & Ashington Post on 16th May 1929.
‘’The Inquest opened and adjourned on William Kay aged 30, of 7 Bungalow, Newbiggin who died on 13th following injuries in Woodhorn Pit. The man’s father Daniel Kay of 1 Northumberland Avenue, Newbiggin said his son had been employed in the mines for all, but 7 years of his life when he served in the Army.’’

These images were supplied by the Newbiggin by the Sea Genealogy Project and show the military funeral of William and buglers playing the last post by his graveside.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Newbiggin by the Sea Genealogy Project and Paul Ternent Volunteer Manager for Northumberland At War for writing this blog.

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