Berwick Lifeboat

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 7 APRIL 1916

BERWICK LIFEBOAT- MEN IN LONDON

Feted and honoured by the R.N.L.B.I.

It was no small honour that was shown to Berwick in London on March 29^th. At Caxton Hall, Westminster the annual meeting of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution was held, and a very large and distinguished company met to hear the yearly report of work done by the Lifeboats, and also to grant awards to Coxswains who had specially done meritorious service.

Image 8 - Lifeboat - RNLB Matthew Simpson - Left to Right - Not known, Not known, Not known, John Wood, Knot known, Jack Lough, George Lough, Bartholomew Lough, Thomas Martin (possible), Not known, Not Known, Alex Patterson Lough. — Image 8 – Lifeboat – RNLB Matthew Simpson – Left to Right – Not known, Not known, Not known, John Wood, Knot known, Jack Lough, George Lough, Bartholomew Lough, Thomas Martin (possible), Not known, Not Known, Alex Patterson Lough.

On the platform were the Right Hon. The Earl of Plymouth, P.C., C.B.,- Chairman; the Right hon. The Earl Waldergrave, P.C. the Right Hon. the Lord Sydenham, G.C.S.I., G.C.M.G., G.C.I.E.,; the Rev. Hugh B. Chapman, chaplain to the Savoy, and Lt. Col. Fraser, V.D., R.A.M.C. (T.)

After the report had been read and adopted, Coxwain James Jamieson of the Berwick Lifeboat, and Lt. Col. Fraser were asked to stand while the record of their service was read to the meeting. This was done and great applause followed, which was renewed when Jamieson faced the meeting wearing his medals. He thanked the Chairman and those present in a few well-chosen words. Lieut. Col. Fraser also received an ovation when he appeared before the chairman, and was most cordially congratulated.

BAD CASE OF CRUELTY TO A HORSE

Berwick Petty Sessions

Joseph L. Ayton, Berwick, grocer, was charged with allowing a horse to be wrought on the 18^th March, while suffering from sores on the back, Robert Lyons, Berwick, carter, a boy, was also charged with cruelly working the horse at Tweedmouth. Inspector Robinson of the S.P.C.A. prosecuted.

J Ayton grocer's shop in Walkergate Lane, Berwick-upon-Tweed. Courtesy of Berwick Record Office. BRO 1944-1-1408-2. — J Ayton grocer’s shop in Walkergate Lane, Berwick-upon-Tweed. Courtesy of Berwick Record Office. BRO 1944-1-1408-2.

Sergt. McRobb said on the Saturday mentioned he was on duty with Sergeant Wilson. He saw that there was something wrong with the horse, and on examining its back he found a very bad wound which went into the back bone. The saddle was resting on the wound. It was the worst case he had ever seen. He asked the driver if he saw the wound, when he yoked the horse, and he replied that the employer (Joseph L. Ayton) put on the harness. No one could have yoked the horse without seeing the wound.

Sergt. Wilson said that it was a very bad case. There were two wounds, one of them as large as a 5s piece, which went to the bone.

Inspector Robinson said that he examined the animal. It was a black gelding. There were two very bad wounds, one on each side of the back. They were deep wounds and full of matter, inflamed and tender to the touch, and the animal must have suffered great pain. Ayton, the employer, admitted it had two sores, and that he was looking out for a place to send it to.

Joseph L. Ayton, owner of the horse, said he knew there were two sores on the animal’s back and that he was looking for a place to send it to. The horse had been treated by a vet., who gave some ointment to put on the sores, and said it would soon be all right.

Cross-examined – The horse went round the district. He knew that the animal had a bad back, and that it was not in the best condition.

The Bench bound over Lyons to be of good behaviour for the next six months. Ayton was fined £3.

BERWICK TRIBUNALS

BAKER’S CLAIM

John M. Dudgeon, baker, appeared on the ground that he was a partner of a firm of contractors to the army and navy, and that he was under obligation to work every day in the week to execute these.

The British Army on the Home Front, 1914 - 1918. A baker in a field bakery. Author Nicholls, Horace (Photographer) — The British Army on the Home Front, 1914 – 1918. A baker in a field bakery. Author Nicholls, Horace (Photographer)

In answer to Mr Hogarth, the appellant said if his firm had no Government contracts he would be quite prepared to go. He was not only in a certified occupation, but he was personally responsible for turning out 400 loaves daily to the army alone.

It was agreed to grant exemption so long as the appellant remained in his present employment.

MOTOR DRIVERS CASE

Andrew Hogg (27), 18 Ness Street, was claimed by the British Petroleum Company on the ground that his services were indispensable to the Company.

In answer to questions it appeared that the Company supplied contracts to the army, and that a condition was that the oil must be delivered to them. Although badges and other stars had been issued to certain workmen doing this kind of work the Company’s men had somehow been always missed out. The appellant was required for the working of the three depots of the company at Berwick, Burnmouth, and Eyemouth.

It was agreed that the appellant should be asked to serve.

A CONVENIENT CALLING

John Purves (39), Mordington, foreman market gardner, was claimed by his employer, Andrew Ironside, on the ground that his services were indispensable.

In answer to Mr Hogarth it was stated by Mr Ironside that Purves had been in his employment some five weeks.

Mr Hogarth – It is suggested that this man has come to you for shelter, by getting into reversed occupation.

Mr Ironside – I don’t think that is the case. I would not have taken him if I could have got another, and I applied to the Labour Exchange both for men and women

The Chairman said that the decision of the Tribunal was that they saw no reason why the appellant should not be called upon to serve.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 24 DECEMBER 1915

FAILING TO EDUCATE

Jane Williamson, widow, Berwick, was charged with having failed to send her son John, aged 10 years, to school, as required by law. She pleaded guilty.

Mr Thos. Barker, School Attendance Officer, said the boy was a pupil at the Roman Catholic School, when he did attend, but which was not often. He had made 22 attendances out of 144, therefore being no fewer than 122 times absent. The boy was neglected by the mother, and since October 15 he had not attended school once.

Accused made a statement that she had been frequently out of the town and had visited Edinburgh several times to see her daughter who was in the Infirmary there.

Mr Barker said the case had been four times before the Education Committee prior to proceedings being taken.

The Chief Constable having been asked by the bench to state what he knew of the boy, said the mother went about the countryside collecting old clothes and selling plants. The boy was simply running about wild and the mother evidently thought she could put everyone at defiance.

Mr McCreath (who presided in the absence of the Mayor) – Have you anything to say. This is something horrid, neglecting your child like this.

Accused replied that she had nothing further to say.

In passing sentence of 7s 6d, or seven days, Mr McCreath said she must really consider her child in a matter of this kind. She must see that the boy in future went regularly to school, and should her case ever come up before the Bench again she would be more severely dealt with.

FROM THE TRENCHES TO FREEDOM

On Wednesday morning, Corpl Chas Mace, 7th Northumberland Fusiliers, third son of Mr Charles Mace, joiner and undertaker, Berwick, was admitted to the Freedom of the Burgh. Corporal Mace is home at present upon short leave from the front and took this opportunity of entering the Freedom. The Mayor, Ald. J W Plenderleith in welcoming Corporal Mace said he had already earned promotion in the regiment to which he belonged, and they hoped that might soon be still further advanced, also that in any vocation in life to which he might be called, be it civil or military, he should continue to uphold the traditions of the ancient Burgh.

PIPER LAIDLAW, V C.

Loos Hero’s Welcome in Northumberland

Piper Daniel Logan Laidlaw, V.C., the first Berwickshire native and the first member of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers to win the V.C. in the war, was received with much enthusiasm on the occasion of his return from hospital to his home at Doddington. Before leaving Wooler Station he took the opportunity to urge on the crowd assembled the need for more men, so that the Germans might be pushed back in France at the earliest possible moment.

Under the village Cross at Doddington the vicar (Rev. J. G. Shotton) presented an address of welcome.

The Hon. F. W. Lambton of Fenton, formerly of the Coldstream Guards, said Piper Laidlaw had shown not only valour, but also initiative and touch of genius which enabled a man to do the right thing at the right moment. Initiative was one of the symptoms of the true soldier which we wanted to see encouraged and from his own experience in the Army he knew how much the men appreciated it.

After thanking the inhabitants for the address, Piper Laidlaw was carried shoulder high to his own cottage. His wife and four children accompanied him.

All the residents of the village were entertained to tea and a concert, at which Piper Laidlaw played on the pipes “Blue Bonnets over the Border,” with which he rallied his comrades at Loos, and “Standard on the Braes of Mar” with which he accompanied their charge.

Piper Laidlaw is a native of Swinton, Berwickshire, and on his homeward journey to Doddington, he was welcomed by his aged parents, who now live at Whittingham.

PRESENTATION OF LIFEBOAT AWARDS

Postponement of Ceremonial

The ceremonial, under the auspices of the Berwick Branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, of presenting the silver medal to James Jamieson, second coxswain of the Berwick Lifeboat, and who acted as coxswain on the occasion of saving 6 lives from the motor boat, Redhead on Wednesday , November 10th last., the monetary awards to the members of the crew and the Spittal fishermen, who so gallantly assisted in getting the lifeboat into the harbour, as well as a vote of thanks on vellum to the Hon. Secretary, Dr C.L. Fraser, for acting as second coxswain, was to have taken place in Berwick Playhouse on Thursday afternoon (23d instant).

At the last moment, however, it was decided to postpone the function owing to the limited attendance of the public due to the fact that with the approach of Christmas, there was no usual half holiday.

This Week in World War One, 7 April 1916