Berwick Advertiser

This Week in World War One, 20 April 1917

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 20 APRIL 1917

 

TWEEDMOUTH MAN WOUNDED

 

 

Information has been received by his wife in Berwick that Private F. Crow, K.O.S.B.’s has been wounded in the left-arm and right thigh, and has been sent to hospital. The chaplain (the Rev. R. W Hopkins) in a letter remarks that “there is no reason why he should not get on well. He will very soon be in England and there is no cause for anxiety.” Private Crow is a painter to trade and for a number of years was employed in the painting department of Messrs Wm. Elder and Sons Implement Works.

An early twentieth century image of William Elder’s engineering works in Berwick. Private F. Crow worked in the painting department with Elder’s for a number of years. © Berwick Record Office, BRO 1944-1-2661-17.

 

Latterly he was employed with Mr Gilchrist, painter, etc, in West Street. Private Crow joined under the Derby Scheme in September last. He was trained at Duddingston, and went to France on 15th January.

 

LOCAL NEWS

 

Death of an Old Berwick Ship Captain. – Death has this week removed one of the old-time Berwick ship captains in the person of Mr Thomas Ormston, at the ripe old age of 80 years. In days when Berwick port was of much importance, Captain Ormston had command successively of the late Mr Andrew Thompson’s schooners – the “Tweed” and the “Maggie,” for a long time sailing to continental and other ports. He was a freeman of Berwick, being “made free” in the year 1858. He has lived in retirement for a number of years.

Good Work to the Soldiers Recognised. – For seven years Mrs Highgate has carried on almost useful and philanthropic work at her residence on the Quay Walls on behalf of the social and moral advancement of the soldiers in Berwick. Owing to advancing years she has been compelled to relinquish her good efforts, and is on the eve of leaving the town for Dunoon. The Mayor and Mayoress, supported by a few friends who are fully alive to the great and good work Mrs Highgate has accomplished, fittingly resolved that she should receive some small token of appreciation to mark her stay and labours in the Border town, and a presentation ceremony was somewhat hurriedly arranged to take place in the Council Chamber on Tuesday evening. The proceedings were of a private character, and of brief duration. His Worship the Mayor presided, there were also present the Mayoress, Mr Thos. Wilson, who acted as treasurer; Ald. A. Logan, Mr and Mrs J. Strachan, Mrs T. Purves, Miss C. E. Purvis, Miss Richardson, Miss Paxton, Mrs McCreath (senior), and a friend, Mr and Mrs Alex. Steven. In a neat and appropriate speech the Mayor made the presentation, consisting of a marble clock, on which a suitable inscription is to be placed. Mrs Highgate made a feeling and suitable response, alluding to the pleasure and great interest her work among the soldiers had given her. Several others spoke of the great good that had resulted from Mrs Highgate’s work, bearing testimony to the unselfish and disinterested manner in which she had always carried these out.

The Poultry Demonstration Train on the N.E. Railway. – The poultry demonstration train on tour on the North Eastern railway in Durham this month is meeting with great success, and the demonstrations that will follow in Northumberland are being looked forward to with considerable interest. The train consists of four coaches, and is replete with the latest poultry-culture appliances, comprising, among other things, incubators of various types, brooders, trap-nests, egg-boxes, egg-testing lamps, cramming machine, and models of poultry-houses. The different kinds of foods suitable for poultry, as well as a pen of pullets illustrating the way in which fowls are kept on the intensive system, are other features of the exhibition. The train is accompanied by lecturers and demonstrators. Wooler is to be visited on 1st May, Chathill 4th May, and Tweedmouth 5th May.

 

TRIBUTE TO THE NORTHMBERLAND FUSILIERS

LAUGHED AT DEATH

NORTHERN MANS STORY OF THE VIMY RIDGE ASSUALT

 

A thrilling story of the Vimy Ridge battle is told by a former resident of Darlington, now serving with the machine Guns Corps and attached to one of the Canadian Battalions. In an interview he said;-

A British dug fighting tunnel in Vimy sector, WW1. GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2. Wikimedia Commons.

“It was hell for the Germans, heaven for us. Hell for them because our big guns had been at it for hours powdering the strongest earth works to dust and reducing the men to jelly. The immediate effect was to put a severe strain on nerves all round. A thrill of joy and relief ran through our ranks when the gun fire died down, and the infantry began to liven up. It was heaven for us because we felt that at last we were to have a chance of avenging hundreds of loved comrades who had been killed in more or less fair fights in this region or poisoned by foul gas.

“Many of the men in my battalion were Northerners. They had relations and friends in the Northern regiment such as the Northumberland Fusiliers, which had fought so well over this very ground just a year ago. To my dying day I will never forget how our lads charged. They were absolutely irresistible. They paid not the slightest attention to the gust of shell-fire and machine gun bullets, in the teeth of which they had to advance. They laughed at death and wounds, and swept onward and upward in one great avenging avalanche.

“Ten yards from the German parapet the foe were found awake to their danger. They came streaming out of their lairs firing into the grey morning with all kinds of weapons. Our Canadians gave a cheer, and dashed at the foe exultingly. The first enemy line went down like a puppet before a half-ton ball. We dashed over the dead and wounded, and bounded into the trench.

“Here we found the Huns making desperate efforts to pull themselves together. We flung ourselves on them before they could muster force enough to stop us, and while they were doing the “Mercy, Kamerad” dance other parties of ours were streaming over the crest and down the slope to meet the oncoming reserves. There was no holding our lads back. They swept eagerly forward, and very soon had the whole of the ground in their hands.

This Week in World War One, 6 April 1917

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 6 APRIL 1917

 

LOCAL NEWS

 

Northumberland Policemen’s War Bonus. – At a meeting at the Moot Hall, Newcastle, on Monday, of the Standing Joint Committee for Northumberland – Ald. T. Taylor presiding – an application was received for an addition to the 5s awarded in July last as a war bonus to police officers below the rank of superintendent. It was decided to give 1s a week for each child below the age of 14 of a married officer. There are over 300 children below the age, and the amount voted will represent an expenditure of about £800 per annum.

Soldiers Clear the Berwickshire Snow-bound Roads. – The extremely severe frost in Berwickshire on Monday morning was followed on Monday evening by a heavy fall of snow, accompanied by a stiff north-easterly gale, which caused much drifting. Roads were blocked in every direction. In view of the fact that lambing is now well begun in half-bred hirsels in the hill districts, the situation was viewed with much anxiety by flockmasters. There was a marked rise of temperature on Tuesday, and the snow melted as it fell. In the Berwick district all main roads were more or less blocked by the heavy fall of snow, which in certain exposed parts had been formed into large wreaths by the strong wind. After considerable difficulty the Edinburgh and Paxton road was got clear. The Duns and Belford roads suffered most, and as labourers were impossible to be obtained the authorities appealed to the military for help in having the main south road opened for traffic. As a result, the Commanding Officer of the Royal Scots very kindly placed a squad of men at the disposal of the authorities, and in the course of Tuesday the road was made passable. The action of the military in such an emergency was greatly appreciated by the general public.

The Food Controller has issued an order by which the annual total output of beer in the United Kingdom is limited to 10,000,000 barrels as compared with the 26,000,000 barrels allowed for the year ending the 31st March, 1916. At the same time the supply of wines and spirits that may be taken out of bond, is reduced by 50 per cent, of the amount taken out in 1916.

The Volunteers. – The next drill of the Berwick Volunteers will take place on Thursday, weather permitting, at the Stanks. Some 200 men have now enrolled, and an invitation is extended to all eligible recruits to join at once, so as to complete the necessary strength of 250.

The Stanks, Berwick-upon-Tweed (c) BRO 2103-6-32

 

Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club and Railway Travelling. – Having regard to the appeal

made by the Government that, in view of the grave and critical state of the country, the public should refrain from all unnecessary railway travelling and practise every economy, and to the practical difficulties in arranging and attending meetings under the present conditions, the officers of the Club, after mature consideration, have resolved to intermit all field meetings for this season. They have deemed it expedient, however, to hold the annual business meeting in October, of which due intimation will be given.

 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

 

WASTE PAPER TO HELP WAR CHARITIES

Hopeville,

Castle Terrace,

Berwick-on –Tweed,

4th April, 1917

Sir, – The members of the Patriotic Committee have asked me to write a letter regarding a project we have in view for the raising of funds in aid of various war charities, in hope that you would be good enough to insert in this week’s edition of your paper.

It seemed to us that we might make some money out of the gathering and sale of waste paper, which has hitherto been an almost untapped source of revenue in Berwick. A beginning has already been made privately in the Town, and with united effort, we hope to raise a goodly sum to help the many war charities, which claim our sympathy, and among them our own Guild of Aid, Surgical Depot, etc.

I need Your Waste-Poster

 

We would be glad to receive the names of any ladies or gentlemen willing to assist in the sorting and packing and would be obliged if these could be handed in to any of the undermentioned ladies by Tuesday, 10th April, at latest. These ladies will also receive gratefully promises of papers, and will give any information required. Mrs Steven, Stecarven; Miss Caverhill, 2 Ravensdowne; Miss Dixon, Marlborough House, Spittal; Miss Mason, Shielfield Terrace, Tweedmouth, or myself.

Thanking you in anticipation

Yours Sincerely

ISABELLA H. PLENDERLEITH

President of Patriotic Fund.

 

NORHAM AND ISLANDSHIRE PETTY SESSIONS

 

NORHAM BUTCHER’S CASE

Supt. Bolton informed the magistrates that in the case of Foreman, butcher, who had been sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, the option being that he should join a labour battalion, that he had done his best to enlist, and after going to and from the barracks for a fortnight the military had declined to take him. For one thing Foreman was considerably over age. He asked for an order to commit him to prison as this was the alternative to enlisting.

Mr Darling – Men considerably over 47 have gone to make roads in France. I will communicate regarding Foreman and see if he can be taken.

Supt. Bolton – I hope he can, it would be the best thing that could happen to him.

Capt. Tippinge – I should think he has been at considerable expense going out and in to the Barracks.

Supt. Bolton – I daresay he has been enjoying himself as well. (Laughter).

Mr Plendeleith – Have they a settled age for the labour battalion.

Supt. Bolton –  They must have, except in the case of old soldiers. They will take the latter up to any age.

Case adjourned for a month.

 

This Week in World War One, 23 March 1917

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 23 MARCH 1917

 

WAR NEWS

TWEEDMOUTH LAD’S SERVICE

 

Alexander Gladstone, son of Mr and Mrs Gladstone, Falloden Terrace, Tweedmouth, and grandson of the late highly respected Thomas Brown, N.E.R. engine driver, Tweedmouth, who met with a tragic end at Goswick some ten years ago. He is 20 years of age, was a territorial, and was mobilised with the 7th Northumberland Fusiliers in August, 1914, put in his time at Gosforth and Cambois, and went with the battalion to France in April, 1915. He was in the fateful battle St. Julien, and was wounded at St. Eloi after which he was confined to hospital for six weeks. For 15 months he was orderly and stretcher bearer under our esteemed townsman, Dr Mackay, was also a pupil under the doctor in the N.E.R. Ambulance Corps, and won 1st class honours in competitions in same. He has since leaving the Ambulance Section of the Northumberland Fusiliers been 8 months in the transport of the same battalion and has been absent from home for 15 months without leave. We wish him continued good luck and safe home, as he has like many others, some terrible experiences to his credit, although he is so young. Previous to the war he was a fireman with the N.E.R. Co.

 

LOCAL NEWS

 

Thanks. – The Committees of the Berwick Ladies’ District Nursing Association, and the Berwick-on-Tweed Prisoners of War Fund, would like to take this opportunity of rending their very grateful thanks to Mr Dudgeon and his concert party for the handsome sum of £38, which has been equally divided between them. These committees feel assured that they and the public generally, owe these friends a debt of gratitude, not only for the very acceptable addition to the funds of both Associations, but for a most enjoyable and successful evening’s entertainment. The Committee of the Prisoners of War Fund would like, at the same time, to thank those friends who so successfully organised a concert at Spittal for their friends, and to the promoters of other entertainments, sales of work, etc., who have so generously given of their takings for the Prisoners.

Camp Gardens – Hutments and Barracks. – A Scottish Command Order states – Attention is drawn to the urgent need of making the most of every source of food and of supplementing the messing of the troops with a variety of vegetables grown on the spot. A proportion of the vegetables necessary for the men can, in the majority of hutment camps and barracks, be grown in plots adjacent to the lines, and the attention of Command Officers is drawn to the need of prompt action.

Presentation at the Barracks. – On Monday evening an interesting presentation was made in the Sergeants’ Mess at the Berwick Barracks, when Sergt. W. Tait, of the K.O.S.B., was presented with a handsome marble clock and a pair of bronze side ornaments on the occasion of his marriage which took place on Thursday, 22nd inst.

(C) BRO 1636-8-22 Berwick Barracks

 

The presentation was made in a neat and appropriate speech by Sergt. Major J. B. Westle on behalf of the members and honorary members of the Sergeants Mess at the Depot, and was suitably acknowledged by the gallant recipient. Sergt. Tait has 23 years service, has been twice at the front, and has been twice wounded. He was a time-expired soldier, and re-joined his old regiment at the call of duty. He is native of Glasgow. The gifts were supplied by Messrs Ross, jewellers, Bridge Street, Berwick.

 

GRAND CONCERT

 

ON BEHALF OF
BERWICK NURSING ASSOCIATION
AND
PRISONERS OF WAR FUND

 

A crowded house met in the Queen’s Rooms, Berwick, on Thursday, March 15th, to enjoy a concert of unusual excellence given by local amateur artistes of undoubted ability.

The Chairman, Captain C.B. Balfour of Newton Don, Kelso, who spoke of the excellent work done by the nurses, drew special attention to the fact that the professional nurses had not only their own work to do, but were engaged besides in the training of novices which it added greatly to their labours.

Group of nurses taken in Northern France, probably c 1916. Source: Unsung heroes – World War 1 nurses. © Licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license.

 

Captain Balfour was of opinion that our prisoners of war were in great need of help and sympathy. His own son had been a civilian prisoner in Germany since war broke out and, bad as the lot of the civilian prisoner had been we could be sure that the lot of the soldier prisoner was worse. Before the concert opened Captain Balfour said that many of the artistes were well known to him. They had come to Newton Don once every month for more than a year, and he assured the audience that if their services were as much appreciated in Berwick as they are at Newton Don, a great treat was in store for them. (Applause).

Considerable changes had to be made. Private Bell, we regret to say, is in hospital, Lance Cpl. Henderson was indisposed, and Sgt. Clark had a bad throat. The absence of these skilled soldier artistes was much regretted, but their places were ably filled by Mrs R. H. Wilkinson (piano) and Mr James Winram, the celebrated Scottish violinist from Edinburgh, whose services were fortunately secured.

The concert opened with an instrumental trio – Mr Winram, violin; Private C. Irwin, “cello; Mrs R. H. Wilkinson, piano. It was seen at once that all three were expert musicians who acquitted themselves with as much ease and facility as if they had been playing together for years.

 

ARRIVAL OF SOLDIER SUBSTITUTES AT BERWICK

 

 In nearly all cases of farm labourers, passed for general service, which have come before recent Tribunals at Berwick, the men have been ordered to serve when a suitable substitute could be found. Then the young ploughman, or shepherd, or carter has been allowed to return to his work, and nothing further has happened. Now, however, things have begun to happen. A week ago a contingent of 120 soldiers came to Berwick, nearly all men who have been doing their bit in France, and who now, because they are wounded, or for some other reason, have been placed in the C2 category. They have been ploughmen, carters, joiners, general labourers, and poultry farmers in civil life, and are as alert and keen a set of men as one could wish to see, all as eager to do their part in providing food for the people as they were eager in other days to help to keep the enemy from our shores. They are drawn from different regiments, among them are a very considerable number of Lancashire and Yorkshire men. The officer in charge is a qualified and experienced agriculturist.

19/20th Century Bondagers at work (c) BRO 1894-30

 

Many farmers who came to the market on Saturday said they had heard rumours of the arrival of the substitutes, but had no definite information about them. They seemed much relieved to find so many men, among them who had had experience in agriculture, and find that arrangements were in the hands of an officer with such splendid agricultural qualifications. The chief objection raised by local farmers to the substitution scheme was, “Where are these men to be housed? The farm cottages are too small to cope with even one extra person”. Another farmer, hearing this objection, took a more cheerful view. “Surely that is not a difficulty we need trouble about” he said. “I am sure we can rig up something quite as comfortable as many a billet for our ploughmen substitutes, even if we can’t provide them all with cottages.”

 

 

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