Like people up and down the country soon after the outbreak of WWI the staff and patients of Stannington Sanatorium began to see its effect. Reports made by the matron over the war years give some indication of the kind of changes that were felt by the sanatorium.
August 1914
“During the month of August 29 cases were admitted and 29 discharged. We have now 110 cases under treatment. Last month we had 4 cases of chicken pox & 2 cases of scarlet fever.
On August 6th the sister was called up to join the territorial nursing force. I have not managed to get anyone to fill her place. Have I the authority to tell sister that her post will be kept for her? Tho’ the time she will be kept is uncertain.”
Nurses and children on one of the wards, 1918. HOSP/STAN/11/1/41
January 1916
“We had on Thursday evening a visit from the policeman.
We have for some considerable time now had all our lights shaded & I have been very careful that no bright lights should be seen form here.
I think Dr Allison will agree with me when I say it has been most difficult to find our way about in the sanatorium the lights have been so subdued.
However, the policeman informed me that having the lights shaded was not sufficient now & after Monday the place would have to be in absolute darkness, not even a candle light seen, & that the windows would have to be curtained, so that I have had to go to some little expense this week to get material for curtains in.”
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HOSP/STAN/2/1/1 Matron’s comments on the zeppelins
April 1916
“Nothing of any consequence has happened during the month except, I might say, on Sunday night last we had a bit of a scare with the zeppelins. They were certainly very near us. We could hear the engines overhead quite distinctly.
The staff were all up, & several of the soldiers from the Farm Colony very kindly came and offered their help in the case of any bombs being dropped near us.
A good many of the children heard them, but they were as good as gold & behaved splendidly. There was no panic whatever, but everyone was in readiness to do their best should the worst have occurred.
I had several of the children visiting here next day enquiring if we were alright.”
See an earlier post by the World War One Project for more about airships in Northumberland.
Amongst the many collections held by Northumberland Archives are some family papers of the Taylor Family of Tynemouth. Within this uncatalogued collection we have located a large folio book published by the offices of “Engineering” of Bedford Street, Stand, London in 1907 on the Cunard Atlantic Liner “Mauretania” which was constructed by Messrs Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Limited of Wallsend on Tyne (ref ZTA 4/1).
The Wallsend shipyard where the Mauretania was built dates back to 1872. Mr C.S. Swan was the principle partner, but soon after his death in 1878 Mr G. B. Hunter became head of the firm. The firm became a limited liability in 1895 and in 1903 amalgamated with Messrs Wigham Richardson and Co. The combined companies then had a river frontage of some 4000ft and covered an area of 78 acres. The yard was located about three miles east of Newcastle upon Tyne on the north bank of the River Tyne at a point where there is a bend so that little difficulty is involved in launching large vessels.
These photographs show the Drawing Office which seems to be an all men environment and the Tracers’ Room an all women office!
When she was built in 1906 the Mauretania was the world’s largest ship. This record was held until The Olympic was built in 1911. The Mauretania consisted of nine decks, seven of which were above the load water-line. During construction they used a product known as Corticine [A material for carpeting or floor covering, made of ground cork and India rubber] instead of wood to save on weight for the deck covering.
The Mauretania during her fitting out at Wallsend.
Her capacity was 2165 passengers in total consisting of the following 563 First Class, 464 Second Class, 1138 Third Class and 802 crew.
This book comprehensively records dimensions and furniture in all the rooms for first, second and third class passengers. We have extracted some information from the book to provide a flavour of what she must have been like.
“The boat deck extends over the greater part of the centre of the ship and contains some of the finest en -suite rooms. At the forward end you could find the First Class Library, Grand Entrance Hall, First Class Lounge, Music Room and First Class Smoking Room.
The Library extends across the deck house and is 33ft long by 56ft. The Lounge is 80ft long and 56ft wide. The Veranda Café is the same as the Lusitania’s and is sure to prove a popular resort.
The Regal Suites comprise a drawing room, dining room, two bedrooms, bathroom and private corridor. They are all decorated in the Adams style. The carpets, throughout the suite are green. The rooms are supplied with statuary marble chimney pieces and electric radiators. Both bedrooms are Georgian in character with carved mouldings and the wall panels are covered in silk. They are finished in white with mahogany furniture
The Nursery was decorated by Messrs J. Robson & Sons of Newcastle it is in mahogany, enamelled white and the panels have a series of quaint paintings of the well-known nursery rhyme ‘Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie.’ The dining tables and chairs are of a suitable height for little passengers. There is accommodation for four stewardesses and two matrons.”
The Lower & Upper Dining Saloons and Dome
Her official trails extended over four days terminating on 7th November 1906. There for 4 trails where he vessel steamed at an average speed of 26.04 knots. The trails took place sailing to and from Corswall Point Light, Wigtownshire, Scotland to Longship Lighthouse, Cornwall a distance of 304 nautical miles each way. This course was used because the length could be travelled in about 12 hours so that tidal influences on the north and south runs would balance each other. Her first run south was affected by adverse weather. Over four trails the vessel steamed at an average speed of 26.04 knots.
Her first trans-Atlantic voyage took place on 16th November 1907 when she departed Liverpool for New York, under the command of Captain John Pritchard. She continued her Atlantic voyages until the outbreak of the First World War when she was requisitioned by the British Government to become an armed merchant cruiser, but due to her size and excessive fuel consumption she was deemed unsuitable and reverted back to her Atlantic trips, but due to lack of passengers she was laid up until May 1915.
After the sinking of the Lusitania she was used by the British Government as a troopship for the transportation of troops during the Gallipoli campaign. As a troopship she received what was known as dazzle camouflage, this was a form of abstract colouring applied to confuse the enemy. Later she became a hospital ship and was repainted white with large red crosses. Later in the war she was requisitioned by the Canadian Government and used to transport Canadian troops from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Liverpool and once America entered the war in 1917 used to transport American troops to the UK.
She returned to her civilian life after the First World War in 1919, until she was withdrawn from service in 1934, being ‘deemed surplus to requirements.’
This post was prepared by Paul Ternent, Northumberland At War Volunteer Manager.
We have received the following letter regarding the death of Sergeant Jones, teacher, St Mary’s School, Berwick who was killed in action:-
55, Meerbrook Road,
Hesley, Sheffield
(The Editor, “Berwick Advertiser.”)
In your report of the death of my nephew, Sergt. L. S. T. Jones, you state that his parents reside at South Shields.
May I ask you to correct this report. Sergt. Jones has had no parents since quite a child, and never did reside in South Shields, otherwise your description is accurate.
May I at the same time convey to the citizens of Berwick (and the numerous friends of the late Sergt. Jones, who have so greatly sympathised with us in this our sad bereavement), our heartfelt thanks for their consideration to us. It is indeed touching to know how he appears to have been appreciated by the Education Committee, the public bodies with which he has come in contact, and by the citizens generally.
Yours faithfully
J. Memmott
Hints for the Home
A very appetising way to use up all pieces of cold meat is to make a pie of the same, and in these days of high prices we must not waste a morsel. Take cold meet and mutton and slice it, lay these in a pie dish with onion etc, and seasoning. Also cover with gravy of stock, then cover with potatoes and bake in a hot oven until brown.
Berwick Advertiser, 14 May 1915. H.L.Christison Advert.
The first matter of importance when treating a scald or burn is to exclude the air from the wound, covering the burnt apart thickly with flower, and wrapping in cotton wool until medical air can be obtained.
Berwick Advertiser, 14 May 1915 Ralph Dodds Advert
Capital portage labels can be made from old linen collars, which are usually thrown away. They are preferable to paper ones as they cannot be torn and can be cut to any size required.
To make a strong loop for heavy garment, take a thick piece of cord, and cover with kid. This will last as long as the garment.
Knitting needles in rubbed with a cinder will become bright like silver.
Interesting Letter from Engineer at the Front.
Tale of Terrible Fighting.
Private J. P. Smith, of the Royal Engineers, writes an intersting (sic) letter home to Mr Wm. McMillan, 45 Walkergate, Berwick. The letter, which is dated 6th May, states that it is a treat receiving letters from home, especially from people not young enough to take their proper place in this awful crisis. “Well, old man,” he proceeds, “I am in the best of health, although this business puts grey hairs on a fellows head. It is very busy times just now, as the (sic) are constantly at it day and night – no halt. A sudden move has taken place near Hill 60 again, and the Borderers, along with the West Kent
View from crater on Hill 60 towards Zillebeke, 6 July 1917
Regiment are about to distinguish themselves again. The 25th have lost a number of good officers and men, but still the vacancies are always filled and ready for action again. On account of the gases used by those unhuman beings you have read about, Poor fellows!, have to report sick with sore eyes. They are using these respirators now, which help to keep it down. But, oh! they are dirty dogs! And our fellows are always waiting for a chance – a fair fight, of which they don’t know the meaning. Well, our Brigade (13th) have been back for a few hours rest, only to be called on again. To look at some you forget you are at war. They are so cheerful. They might be “fed up,” but never show it. I was along with other two fellows of the Canadians on Tuesday night, and they gave me an illustration on the big fight, for those trenches the French lost. Well, what they said I won’t print. One said: “If that is worse than hell, well, I shall never go there.” The Germans are good fighters, but they had a big casualty list. However, it is the fortunes of war. I expect you saw the German casualty list – 12000 dead alone. Its not war; there is another name for it. However, he is going to be very lucky he who sticks it to the end, and I hope this will be in the near future for one and all. Talk about strikes! Put the people on strike in England in Tommy’s place at the front – what a difference! Well, I hope they have settled down again, as this affair is enough at a time. Well, Willie, news is very secret at present and scarce, so be satisfied with these few lines. Remember me kindly to Mrs McMillan; hope she is still well. I only hope I find my way back to Berwick soon. Well, write me again at your leisure. Good night!
“Behaviour Splendid and Magnificent.”
Local Officer’s Letter.
Captain H. R. Smail, 7th N.F., Berwick, writing from the front says:-
You will see our address is changed and we are evidently now to refit. We are at a farm, only a few hundred yards from the one I wrote from a week ago. Wish it was the same one but the people are nice here also. We were at an estimauet (sic) overnight. At 11 a.m. we had a visit from Sir John French and staff, including, we think, the Prince of Wales. The Field Marshall evidently thinks a lot of us. I append his address, which is almost in his exact words. He has a voice which carries beautifully. Here goes then – Northumberland Infantry Brigade, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Northumberland Fusiliers. I am taking this opportunity to come among you to thank you for what you have done during the last ten days. Any unit, and especially a large unit like a division, arriving in this country expects and indeed is necessarily given some time to pull itself together. In the ordinary course of events you would have undergone this period on arrival at C—–l, but owing to the treacherous attack of the Germans which made a serious breach in our lines – a treacherous attack assisted by gas and other devices, the use of which no one worthy of the name of soldier would dream of employing, owing to that attack, I was saying I was forced to send you forward to reinforce the line around Ypres. For any brigade of regular troops your performance would have been wonderful for Territorial troops just landed in this country it is nothing short of SPLENDID AND MAGNIFICENT. I desire to express my appreciation of your work during the last ten days. The way you attacked and took St. Julien was
German’s on the ground, St Julien, World war One
magnificent and though you had to retire at night you inflicted great loss on the enemy. Though you were bound to retire it was not your fault. You were not supported, why it is not for us to say. During this attack you lost your leader. Brigadier-General Riddell, whose death we all deplore. He was one of the most gallant officers that lived and I feel sure he could not have desired a more glorious death than to die leading his brigade. Your LOSSES ARE SERIOUS among the officers – nine killed and fifty three wounded, while among other ranks the losses are 50 killed and 700 wounded, also there are a great many missing, among which unfortunately there must be a large number killed. Looking all around this morning I admire your lines. From your appearance you might have been in bivouacs all this time, and you look as if you could take your place in the firing-line this afternoon if required. I have no doubt you will SHOW THE SAME GALLANTRY AGAIN if called upon. I always think when addressing Territorial troops of the splendid form of patriotism you have shown. You enlisted for home defence, but you have since taken upon yourselves the obligation of fighting abroad. Not like some others. I think the country appreciates more and more and day by day the sacrifice you are making.”…………..
This has, of course, bucked us up tremendously. I think we will be here for a week at least.
