Berwick Advertiser

This Week in World War One, 12 February 1915

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Berwick Advertiser title 1915

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 12 FEBRUARY 1915

 HOLY ISLAND

Patriotic Concert- Amidst a show of bunting and flags an entertainment was given in the schoolroom on Monday last on behalf of the War Funds. The first part of the programme consisted of a series of songs and recitations given by small children. Mr George Wilson sung the popular “Tipperary” song.

This was followed by the pageant “Britannia’s Reception of her Colonies.” The performers were all attired in costumes representing the various countries and performed their parts in a manner which called forth great applause. Mrs Marion Bell represented Britannia (whose train was borne by Florence Spencer and Maggie D Cromarty), to whom father Neptune (Mr Hollingsworth) presented the Ambassadors of Canada (Miss May Wilson), accompanied by the Negro (James E. Walker) and Red Indian (James Brigham). Australia was represented by Mrs Hollingsworth; New Zealand by Miss Fanny Douglas; India by Miss Lalla Bell; South Africa by Ralph Wilson; our ally Japan, by Miss Lulu Bell; On Britannia calling for the representatives of the homeland Mr R. A Wilson bowed to her in the character of John Bull and was followed by Miss Maggie Wilson for Scotland; Miss Rachael Kyle for Ireland; Miss Lalla Allison for Wales. The Army and Navy were seen in the persons of Messrs R Straughan and T. Cromarty.

The schoolroom was well filled with a very appreciative audience who afterwards requested that the performance might be repeated in the near future to enable others to enjoy it. Great credit is due to Mr Riley, who organised the entertainment and was ably assisted by Mr and Mrs Hollingsworth; Mrs Crawshaw; Mrs Riley and Miss Brigham.

 

The Market Square in Holy Island
Postcard of Market Square on Holy Island Ref: BRO/426/1068

 

 

ITEMS OF INTEREST

The family of Sergeant James Ramsay, R.F.A., of Berwick, has a fine record of patriotism. His Grandfather and father were in the Army, and his son is also in the R.F.A. His wife and daughter are both acting as nurses, and his son-in-law, Lieut. Weir, R.F.A., received his commission for bravery at Mons.

2nd Lieut. John Robertson, only son of Alex Robertson of Gateshead, has been promoted Lieut. 11th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Lieut. Robertson is the grandson of the late John Robertson and of the late Joseph Currie, of West End, Tweedmouth.

 

Advert for films being shown at The Playhouse, Berwick
Advert from the Berwick Advertiser, 12 February 1915.

 

This Week in World War One, 5th February 1915

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Berwick Advertiser title 1915

5th FEBRUARY 1915

MINDRUM

Louvain town hall in ruins
Rubble in front of the ruined town hall in Louvain after its sacking by the German army in 1914.
© IWM (Q 53271)

On Thursday, January 28th, a lecture was given in the school in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund.  The lecturer was M. Wouters of Antwerp, whose account of his personal experiences of the war was listened to by a deeply interested audience.  M. Wouters went through the whole of the earlier part of the war, including the sieges of Liege and Antwerp, and the sacking of Louvain and Namur.  Thereafter he was invalided to England.

His account of these terrible times was thrilling and showed what a heroic part gallant little Belgium had played for the saving of Liberty and Civilization. The lecture was illustrated by lantern views of some of the horrors wrought by the ruthless Germans, and concluded with a passionate appeal to Englishmen for more help in men and money.  The proceeds amounted to £5, and this will be sent to assist in a small way in relieving the distress prevailing among the unfortunate people the story of whose self-sacrificing bravery will forever “re-echo down the long corridors of Time.”

Belgain refugees
Belgian refugees in 1914. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

 GIFTS FOR SICK SOLDIERS AT BELL TOWER HOSPITAL

Mr Robertson, books; Miss Pearson, eggs; Mrs Young, St Leonard’s Cakes;Miss Weatherhead, 31 Castlegate, eggs; Miss Herriot, scones; Miss Tait, Bridge Street, currant loaf; Miss B Fair, illustrated papers; Mrs Wilsden, The Elms, apples and oranges; Miss Alder, Halidon, soup; Miss Wood, Horncliffe, beef jelly; “A Friend”, morning papers; “A Friend”, bananas; Mrs A. Darling, Bondington, scones; Mrs Herriot, Sanson Seal, cakes; Miss Herriot, do, loan of gramophone and records; Mrs Gemmel, 25 Low Greens, daily papers and vegetables; “A Friend”, Two puddings.

 

Advert for Fairnington & Sons drapers
Advert from the Berwick Advertiser 5th February 1915

 

This Week in World War One, 29th January 1915

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Berwick Advertiser title 1915

29 JANUARY 1915

WOUNDED SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED AT BERWICK

The wounded soldiers and patients to the number of 16 and the staff at the Berwick Barracks Hospital were entertained to tea and a musical programme on Saturday last by Mrs Roper, Castle Terrace, through the kind permission of Major Steele. Accompanying Mrs Roper were Miss Roper, the Misses Forbes, and Lieut.-Colonel Hunter of the Welsh Cyclists.

After an enjoyable tea an excellent musical programme was gone through and in the course of which refreshments were dispensed. At the close Private Mutter proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs Roper for her kindness in entertaining them and this the men responded to by cheering lustily. The tea was prepared by Private Corstorphine, with the assistance of the Misses Forbes, while the following members of the staff also gave their assistance:-Sergeant Thos. Mutter, Private R Mutter, and Private W.F. King.

A doctor and nurses treat a wounded soldier in hospital
Treating a wounded soldier in hosptial. Credit: Wellcome Library, London, ref: L0009336, CC by 4.0

 

BERWICK FREEMAN’S EXPERIENCES AT THE FRONT

Capt. J Cairns, a Berwick freeman, who was Executive Engineer of Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway, resigned immediately war was declared and came home to join his regiment. He was attached to the 1st Battalion East Yorks., which, after six weeks in the trenches, was relieved by another regiment, at which time there were only 30 yards between them and the front German trench. The men of his company (in the pauses of grenade throwing) pitched biscuits and bully beef tins at the Germans. A few days before Christmas, Capt. Cairns was brought home by the War Office, but malarial fever from the muddy trenches developed and for a fortnight he was seriously ill. Now on his recovery he has been posted to Royal Engineers and appointed for special work to the staff at the War Office.

 

Red Lion Hotel advert
Advert from the Berwick Advertiser, 29th January 1915

 

 

 

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