Berwick Advertiser

This Week in World War One, 2nd April 1915

08/03/201803/04/2015 by Northumberland Archives

2ND APRIL 1915

SAD AFFAIR AT BERWICK

Young Soldier Accidentally Shot

Lance Corporal in Court

Discharged without a stain on his character

Marshall Meadows Bay, close to where Private Douglas was shot. © Copyright Richard Webb and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

At Berwick Police Court on Thursday, David Oswald, Lance-Corporal in the 2/10th Royal Scots, was charged with the manslaughter of Andrew Douglas, Private in the 2/10th Royal Scots, by shooting him dead with a shot from a rifle at Berwick on Tuesday 30th March. Mr E. W. Stiles, solicitor, appeared for the accused. The Chief Constable said the men were on guard together and the accused had been giving the men musketry drill. The accused had forgot that the rifle was loaded and after shooting the bolt home the rifle went off and killed Douglas. It was in the interests of the regiment, officers, and accused that the case was brought there. He was of the opinion that it was a pure accident and he would ask the Magistrates to discharge the accused and enable him to leave the court clear in the eyes of the world.

Private John Bryce said he was on outpost duty with the deceased and Lance-Corporal Oswald. Oswald was giving them musketry drill. The rifle held by Oswald went off and Douglas fell shot. Oswald then ran forward to the deceased. Oswald was greatly distressed over the occurrence, because he was great friends with the deceased. The witness was quite sure it was an accident.

The Chief Constable said he was present at the inquest the previous day. Oswald gave evidence and after a most exhaustive enquiry the verdict of accidental death was brought in. The Police had made every enquiry and they were of opinion that it was an accident, and on those grounds he asked the accused be dismissed.

By Mr Stiles – I am quite satisfied that the whole affair was a pure accident.

Mr Stiles – I do not think it is necessary for me to add anything. The Police have followed the proper course in following the line they have taken. Everyone sympathises with the accused and the regiment of which he is a member.

The Mayor (addressing accused) – The Bench have considered the case and discharge you. They fully sympathise with the position you are placed in and hope you will not take this too much to heart sad as it is, but remember you have other duties to attend to. You are discharged without any stain on your character whatever.

WOOLER

Madame Marie Levante’s orchestra of ladies gave a performance before a crowded house in the Archbold Hall on Thursday evening last.

A dance is announced to take place next week in aid of Dr Barnardo’s Homes.

On Tuesday morning five young men from the country districts left Wooler station to join the colours. Good luck to them.

A company of the troops stationed at Alnwick were expected to visit Wooler at the beginning of the week on a route march, but at the time of writing they have not arrived. It would perhaps stir the place up if we had a visit from the boys in khaki, and might help recruiting. Wooler has certainly done well, but could still do better in the matter of recruits.

Simnel Cake advert — Advert for Simnel Cake taken from the Berwick Advertise 2nd April 1915

By the Way

Porridge Penny Per Plate

The Military Recreation Rooms are being greatly taken advantage of every night. Light refreshments are provided after eight o’clock at a merely nominal fee, and it is interesting to note that there has been a great demand for porridge by the Scotsmen. Porridge was duly provided, and judging by the way it disappears each evening, it is a very highly appreciated dish. A short, religious service has been started on the Sunday evenings. The various ministers of the Borough are to take their turn in presiding over the meeting. A number of songs and solos are given, followed by a passage from the Scriptures and a closing prayer. There is no sermon. ( ) This space is reserved for remarks of relief!

The Tale of a Dog

A Border Collie dog — A dog was offered as a raffle proze in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund. Image from Pixabay

Almost everyone at this time is anxious to do something to assist those, who through the war, have been placed in distressful circumstances. The ways of raising money for such a purpose are many and varied, but the one I heard of the other day takes some beating.

‘Tis the tale of a dog, and runs thus:- Some gentlemen in local “grain” centres decided to raffle a dog on behalf of the Belgian Relief Fund. A number of tickets were sold, and the Committee ultimately agreed, privately of course, not to draw for the winning man, but to award the dog to a gentleman who they knew would absolutely refuse to keep a dog. This gentleman was told he was the “lucky” man, but he told the Committee to raffle the dog again. This happened three times. But now comes the funny part of the business. A fourth man won the dog and decided to keep it. He applied to the Committee for the dog; the Committee applied to the gentleman who promised to give them the dog; the gentleman informed the Committee that the dog was poisoned one month before the raffle took place, and that they had been raffling for an imaginary dog. However, all’s well that ends well, and the fourth winner was sporting enough to take the matter in good spirit, more so when he heard that the Belgian Relief Fund would benefit to the extent of from £16 to £20.

This Week in World War One, 26th March 1915

08/03/201827/03/2015 by Northumberland Archives

26th March 1915

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SABBATH FOOTBALL

Sir,-One of the saddest sights was to be witnessed on Sunday last in the “Stanks” where some of our countries defenders thought so little of the Sabbath Day as to play football, aye, and that at almost a stone’s throw from the doors of several churches. To say the least, it is bad grace, and if the soldiers cannot keep the Sabbath Day holy they ought at any rate be taught to keep it respectable. I know there is a great difference of opinion on this question, but to my mind the old proverb “a Sunday well spent brings a week of content,” is a good thing to follow and I would heartily commend it to Sunday footballers, in fact to all who make the Sabbath a day of pleasure. If there was any necessity for using the Sabbath Day for football it would only be so because the soldiers were kept at drill, marching, and guarding during the whole of the other six days of the week, but this is not the case, for they appear to have plenty of leisure if one might judge by seeing the numbers who parade the streets.

Yours etc.

SABATARIAN.

The Stanks seen from Brass Bastion — The Stanks, the area is still used as a football pitch today. Ref: BRO 1639/9/19

Severe Snowstorm

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North Easterly Gale

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Traffic Disorganised

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Rigorous Condition for Hill Flocks

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After a spell of spring weather there was a sharp change to conditions of an extremely wintry character. The snowfall that began in some districts on Wednesday became general over the greater part of Scotland during Thursday. In the early hours of Friday morning, and in some districts during the day also, large quantities of snow fell. With a violent north easterly gale, the powdery snow was swirled in dense, blinding clouds, and blown into deep wreaths, with the result that throughout the country there was serious disorganisation of railway traffic, while highways were blocked, and the conditions are such as to cause some anxiety to hill flocks.

BERWICK

A severe snowstorm from the east swept over Berwick and Border district on Thursday. Much damage was done to telegraph wires, which in some parts of the town were hanging down into the street. Outdoor work in the town and district was almost entirely suspended. The storm was the worst experienced in Berwick for about five years, the last to which it is comparable having occurred in a Christmas week, when for two whole days Berwick was entirely isolated. There was a good deal of dislocation of the public services. Blocks were common on most of the railways that were in any way exposed. Snow ploughs were busy all over the North British system, and within a few hours most of the blocks were removed; but on the main lines there was severe drifting…

…The most serious results of the storm, so far as communications were concerned, were with regard to telegraphs and telephones, the Post Office having no outlet for messages for several hours. Telegraph wires were blown down in many parts of the town. At Berwick Station a telegraph pole was blown down and the wires had to be cut to enable it to be lifted. Several other poles in and around the town were leaning over at dangerous angles and, generally, telegraph work was greatly interfered with.

Country postmen had a terrible task, and some were unable to complete their journeys. The motor cycle post to Ford was also cut off, but the delivery was attempted by trap. Country roads were badly blocked. On the Letham Road and the “Glaury Loaning,” for instance, snow was lying in large drifts right across the roads level with the tops of the hedges. Flock-masters on the more exposed parts of the Corporation Estate had a very anxious time, having to dig out their lambs from drifts several feet in depth. A curious result of the snowstorm was that Berwick Town Clock became snow blocked on the east side and stopped at 8:30 – it was not cleared and put right until a minute before noon. A very heavy sea was running on the Berwickshire coast, and near the mouth of the Tweed it was only with great difficulty that salmon fishing was carried on. Practically the same conditions were prevailing on Friday morning, there having been a heavy fall of snow on Thursday night and during the early hours of the morning.

Advert for W. A. Johnston & Sons — Advert for W. A. Johston & Sons from the Berwick Advertiser 26th March 1915

This Week In World War One, 19th March 1915

08/03/201820/03/2015 by Northumberland Archives

19th March 1915

Berwick Soldier’s Lucky Escape

Writing from the front to his sister in Berwick on March 7, Private William Storey, 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers, says:

The platoon to which I was attached was holding a small detached trench in a field away from the remainder of the company. We had been in the trench 24 hours, and we only had three bottles of water between about 30 men, so when night came the officer in charge sent six of us out for some water. We had to cross an open field, go through a small wood, and across another open field before we could reach the company, at the end of whose trench ran a small brook.

We got the water all right, but as we got back near the wood again the Germans started sending star-shells up, so we had to lie down. When we thought they had finished we got up again, and just as I got on my feet I got hit on the inside of my right thigh. The bullet hit a button on my great coat. It knocked the top off the button, but I send you the other half as a curio. If it had not hit the button it would have hit me in the stomach, so I was very lucky.

Advert for Campbell & Sons Tailors, The Berwick Advertiser 19th March 1915

Military Recreation Rooms Opened in Berwick

Opening Ceremony Performed by The Sheriff

Large numbers of soldiers, representative of the different regiments stationed in the town; together with a good number of the general public, assembled to witness the opening ceremony of the new Recreation Rooms for the Military in Hide Hill, in the premises recently occupied by Messrs Walter Wilson, Ltd, on Monday night.

The spacious rooms of the building have been excellently fitted out and will prove of inestimable use to the troops stationed here. The front room on the ground floor has been partitioned off into two departments, and is to be used as a writing room. Tables are plentifully scattered around the rooms, and all facilities for writing are provided. A letter box has been erected where letters, etc. can be posted, and this will be cleared at suitable hours.

At the rear is another large hall, which is to be used as a reading and smoking room. This will also be used as a concert hall, and here a piano has been installed. The wants of the inner man are provided on the first floor upstairs, where an excellent refreshment bar has been installed. The games room is found in the third storey, and judging by the way it was patronised on the opening night, it will be well made use of.

Shop, Hide Hill — 14 Hide Hill, seen here as Hardy & Co in 1959 , was converted into Military Recreation Rooms in 1915. Ref: BRO 1250/117

THANKS TO THE OWNER

The opening ceremony was held in the Concert Hall, which was filled to overflowing. The Mayor (Mr Thomas Wilson) presided, and he was supported by the Sheriff (Mr E. W. Stiles) and Colonel Peterkin, 10th Royal Scots. Other officers of the 10th Royal Scots present were:- Major Dudgeon, Captain Forbes, Captain Laing, Lieutenant Wolfe, Lieutenant McLeod, and Sergeant-Major Dawes.

The proceedings opened with the singing of the National Anthem.

The Mayor-Before asking the Sheriff to formally open this club room, I wish to publicly acknowledge our debt of gratitude to the owner of these buildings, who has given them at very small rental, and has made it possible for us to have such a splendid place with the accommodation there is. (Applause). Unfortunately, through illness, he is unable to be present, but I I am sure we all trust he will be restored to health and strength to come here and see what has been done through his kindness, not only to you but to the committee in making it possible to give you this accommodation. I have much pleasure in calling upon the Sheriff to open the club rooms. (Applause).

THE OPENING CEREMONY

The Sheriff said-Mr Mayor, Colonel Peterkin and gentlemen, may I in the first place, on creation of the Committee responsible for the creation of this recreation resort, offer to every member of His Majesty’s Forces a most hearty welcome on their first visit to these premises. (Loud applause). So long as you are in our midst the Committee earnestly hope you will take every advantage possible of these rooms. It is intended to keep the rooms open every evening. Including Sunday, from 6 o’clock to 9.45. The Ladies Committee has kindly arranged to entirely take charge of the refreshment department, and they will carry out their duties every evening from eight o’clock until closing time, and there you can obtain refreshments for a very reasonable charge. I think you will prefer to pay something for it and it has been communicated that you would. We hope therefore, that you will make some little acknowledgement towards the expenses of maintaining the establishment. (Applause). I hope you will be able to make good use of these premises which the Committee have at considerable difficulty put into the excellent condition as we see them now, and I hope before you leave the town they will have been of material help to you in you hours of leisure. It is intended to hold concerts occasionally, and I trust the different regiments in the town will take one night each to be responsible for a concert, and the town’s people will also do their best to provide a concert in their turn. (Applause). I have much pleasure in declaring these premises open and support the debt of gratitude we owe to the donors of the premises. (Applause).

14 HIde Hill, Berwick — The building on Hide Hill which was adapted for use as Military Recreation Rooms in 1915. Prior to that the building was occupied by Walter Wilson Ltd. © Copyright N Chadwick and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Colonel Peterkin, in making a few remarks, said;-Mr Mayor, Mr Sheriff and gentlemen-I do not think it is easy for me to properly and adequately express the debt of gratitude the whole of the regiment feel they owe to the people of Berwick….

….All this kindness, I am afraid, that we are having here is very bad training for the trenches. (Laughter). However, it is best to wait until trouble comes before meeting half way, and I do not think we can acknowledge these kindnesses better than making use of these spacious rooms. (Applause). I ask you to give a hearty vote of thanks to the Committee and to the Mayor and Sheriff who are the moving factors in this movement. (Applause).

A smoking concert was afterwards held, when an excellent programme was submitted. In the course of the evening the soldiers were the guests of the Ladies Committee, and refreshments were provided free.

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