Berwick Riding of the Bounds

This Week in World War One, 4 May 1917

by

 

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 4 MAY 1917

 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

 

WANTED MEN AND WOMEN FOR AMBULANCE WORK

 

Port Hospital,
Berwick-on-Tweed,
May 1st, 1917

 

Sir. – May I appeal through the medium of your paper for men and women to form a V.A.D., in this most northern part of Northumberland. Last Friday evening the members of St. Andrew’s Ambulance Corps., received a visit from the Chief Commissioner for Northumberland (Mr P. B. Palmer). In a very strong appeal Mr Palmer asked for the immediate formation of both a men and a women’s detachment. The need is great. The nearest men’s detachment is at Alnwick. The nearest women’s at Belford. Mr Palmer wants at least 200 men for ambulance work, (and as many women as he can get) between Wansbeck and Tweed. We want all the men and women in Berwick, Tweedmouth and Spittal and Scremerston who have First Aid or nursing certificates, to volunteer. Others who have not certificates may join on probation.

Berwick is a long way behind in ambulance work, let us have this stigma removed, and get to the front as quickly as possible.

Mr Hetherington, High Street, or Mr J. Richardson, 25 Main Street, Spittal, will receive names of men willing to join. Women may send their names to Miss Noble, 47a Main Road, Spittal or the undersigned.

ANTHONEY

Commandant, St. Andrews Ambulance Corps.

Berwick-on-Tweed Section.

 

MORE COMFORTS WANTED FOR THE SOLDIERS.

 

Hopeville, Castle Terrace,
Berwick-on-Tweed,
May 1st, 1917.

 

Sir,- At the request of the General Committee of the Guild of Aid, I again venture to ask your valuable help, in permitting us to make an appeal through the medium of your paper, to all friends, who are willing and able to help us, in sending out much needed comforts to the men in France, who are so strenuously fighting our battles. We have an urgent request, to send as soon as possible, shirts, socks, towels, (small) and handkerchiefs (dark coloured). Owing to the large demands made upon us lately, we have a very small stock in hand, and would be grateful for any help, however small, towards meeting this request. Our hearts are all too full of the desire to send any crumb of comfort, that we possibly can, to our heroes overseas, to need any appeal, it is quite enough, we know, to state our needs for them, to have them met, we would be glad to have all articles by Tuesday, May 15th, sent either to any member of committee, or to the Town Hall, on Tuesdays, between 2.30 and 3.30. Thanking you for your courtesy.

Yours faithfully

ISABELLA H. PLENDERLIETH,

(President of the Guild)

 

RIDING OF THE BOUNDS

 

 The time honoured custom of riding the Berwick Bounds was duly observed on Tuesday, 1st May, in the usual manner. Fine weather prevailed and the proceedings were much enjoyed. The company assembled at noon at the Parade and proceeded by the customary route.

In the mayor’s carriage there were present – His Worship the Mayor, Mr M. Ross, (the Sheriff) Councillor Thomas Wilson, and the acting Town Clerk ( MR James Gibson).

In a brake there were the following – Alderman G. A. Turnbull, and Councillors Wm. Anderson, T. Bolus, Alex. Darling, Wm. J. Dixon, J. Elder, F. Richardson, and the Chief Constable.

BRO 1944/1/149/1 Riding of the Bounds, Parade, Berwick-upon-Tweed, 1952

 

The horseman riders were represented by both youth and age; youth was represented by Master Moffat, Wes Edge, a born horseman, 14 years, and this will be the fifth annual occasion on which he has ridden the Berwick Bounds; and by one who at mature years rode the Bounds 47 years ago, Mr J. Cameron, V.S,. There was also one cyclist soldier from the Borderers, a boy.

At the inn at Canty’s there was a liberal supply of refreshments dispensed, consisting of tea, coffee, biscuits, cheese, and ale.

At the conclusion of the drive home the company drove to the Town Hall before dispersing, when the Mayor in a few words formally thanked the company for their attendance at the function.

DEAD HERO PRAISED BY OFFICERS AND MEN

 

George Murray, N.F., only son of Mr Andrew Murray, formerly groom to Dr Maclagan, Berwick, and now of Akeld, Wooler, has been killed by a snipper. He served his apprenticeship with Mr Mosgrove as a shoemaker and was afterwards employed by the North British Railway Company.

Berwick Advertiser 21 Aug 1914 Mosgroves Advert

 

He was a territorial before the outbreak of war, was 23 years of age, and was in the machine gun section. Very high praise has been received of Private Murray’s soldierly bearing and courage in letters sent both by officers and men.

 

AN INTERESTING LETTER

 

This is an extract from a letter from Sergt., T. H. Grey, Machine Gun Corps., son of Mr Thos. Grey, Tweedmouth, which will be interesting:- “I had to tell you that Tom Davidson was all right, in case his people were inquiring for him, however, five minutes after, he got wounded, so I suppose by this time he is well on his way to Blightly. It was just a few minutes prior to an attack, and we were having a talk about old times before going over the top. I didn’t have the luck to see him again. We have some decent weather this last week, but the week before as you would see by the papers took some enduring. Many a time when we get wet through, we remark that had it been at home in civil life, we would have been following it up with a week in bed, whereas out here we can lie in a shell hole night and day and endure all sorts of  storms, not to mention bombardments. I fancy it must be the excitement that keeps us fit, it must be something out of the ordinary at any rate. We have celebrated our second anniversary in grand style I don’t mean by a great feast or supper, but by taking part in one of the biggest of battles and claimed to have been one of the fiercest, nevertheless it has gained for us a few days rest.

By the way, we had our Red and White roses on St. George’s Day, you see although I am now in the M.G.C., I like to consider myself still in the N.F. Those who were less fortunate than us and got killed that day were buried with their roses still pinned to their uniform. I’m sorry to say one of the unlucky ones was a very intimate friend of mine, being Sergeant in the same section as myself, it was his second anniversary in France too, and he had never until that fateful day, been either wounded or in hospital from any cause; such is the Fate that awaits the soldier on the battlefield.

 

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE OF A NORHAM LAD

 

Mr T. Robertson, gardener, Birch Hill, Norham, has received a letter from his son, Trooper J. Robertson, of the Royal 10th Hussars, who has been in the thick of the recent fighting in which he relates some stirring events.

The 10th Royal Hussars memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum. © Author A Carty. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

It appears that on one occasion some of the cavalry got held up in a village, and were ordered to dismount for action. In the fight Trooper Roberson was blown up into the air, landed in a garden, and wonderful to relate escaped without a scratch. It was a pretty rough time while it lasted and as he says, “We came through it, however, with the loss of a great number of horses most of which were blown up into the air; the number of men killed, I am glad to say was not many.” Trooper Robertson has been in France since August of last year. Previous to joining the colours he was a rabbit catcher, and is well known in the district. He lost a brother, who was in the K.O.S.B. at the battle of the Somme.

 

This Week in World War One, 5 May 1916

by

Berwick Advertiser title 1915

 

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 5 MAY 1916

 

BERWICK BOUNDS RIDING

Quiet Ceremony

 

For the 308th time the customary riding of Berwick Bounds took place on Monday. Few gentlemen made the round of the marches by conveyance, but there was again a fair proportion of equestrians, the number only being one short from that of last year. At twelve o’clock the procession led off from the parade, where a large concourse of spectators had assembled to witness the gathering, by way of Cowport Gate to the Magdalene Field and Jingling Bridge, when they struck the main road. The conveyances followed the usual route by way of Church Street, High Street, Castlegate, and North Road. Arriving at Whitadder Bridge the company were provided with a liberal refreshment, and the usual ceremonies were gone through. The company arrived back during the afternoon, and a halt being called in front of the Town Hall, the mayor briefly returned his thanks to all who had completed the circuit.

The Berwick Riding of the Bounds, the riders crossing the Jingling Bridge - © Berwick Record Office, BRO 1944-1-7215-20-018.
The Berwick Riding of the Bounds, the riders crossing the Jingling Bridge – © Berwick Record Office, BRO 1944-1-7215-20-018.

 

The horsemen were as follows:- Mr John Cameron, Vetinary Surgeon, Berwick; Mr R. Buchannan, Berwick; Master Moffat, West Edge; Capt. J. C. Collingwood and Miss Collingwood.

There also rode in the conveyances – His Worship the Mayor (Ald. J. W. Plenderleith), Sheriff Matthew Ross, Councillor Thos. Wilson, Mr Jas. Gibson, Acting Town Clerk; and Mr Johnston, Sergeant-at-Mace- first carriage. Ald. Maclagan, Mr H. W. Willits, Councillor Brewis, Councillor W. J. Dixon, Chief Constable Nicholson, Councillor F. Richardson, Councillor W. Richardson, Ald. H. Greenwood, and Mr Blaikie, jun., acting Sergeant-at-Mace – second carriage. Mr Robert Jeffrey and Private Albert Richardson – third carriage. Five cyclists also started out upon the round.

This year it was agreed that owing to the exceptional period of national stress through which we are passing, the no Bounds Dinner be held. It need not, however, be inferred that the absence of the customary spread had anything at all to do with the small attendance present.

 

OFFICER AND PRIVATE

BADLY INJURED BY GRENADE AT BELFORD

 

A most unfortunate and serious accident took place at Belford in the early hours of Tuesday evening in which a Lieutenant and a Private of the Northern Cyclists quartered in the district were involved. It appears that the officer was in charge of a small section a little way out of the village and was instructing the men in the art of grenade throwing. In the meantime, it is inadvisable to record how the unfortunate event occurred, but we may state that for some accidental reason a grenade exploded near to the Private and the Lieutenant, both of whom sustained wounds of an extensive and serious character. They were removed with all speed to Alnwick Infirmary, where, up to the time of writing, the lie in a rather critical condition. The sad occurrence cast quite a gloom over the village, where both the unfortunate men were well known. The hope is freely expressed on all hands that science may be able to alleviate their sever suffering.

 

LOCAL NEWS

 

Accident to a Well Known Butcher – The many friends of Mr Shiel Dods butcher, Berwick, will learn with regret that he met with a nasty accident on Monday morning at his slaughter house, Tweedmouth. He had been dispatching and weighing sheep for the London market, when in turning to leave his foot slipped, and he was brought to the ground with a nasty jerk. It was thought at first that he had broken his leg, but on being examined by Dr C. L. Fraser, it was discovered that the sinew of his right leg had been snapped. He was removed home to his residence in High Street. It is understood while the injury to Mr Dods is not of a serious character, it has been decided to remove him to the Infirmary, where a slight operation will be performed. A specialist may be called in to assist.

A recent photograph showing Berwick Infirmary. © Rod Allday, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license.
A recent photograph showing Berwick Infirmary. © Rod Allday, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license.

 

Ambulance Aid in time Emergency – Our readers will probably be interested and gratified to learn that arrangements have been made for coping with any circumstances which require ambulance assistance in times of emergency during the war. In consequence of a recent meeting held between representatives of the Infirmary, the Chief Constable, and officials of the two local ambulance organisations, and subsequently with the Chief Scout Master, the following arrangements have been made. By courtesy of the parties interested three stations will be available: (1) for Berwick, “The Infirmary, “ (2) for Tweedmouth, “The Mitchell Memorial Hall” in Kiln Hill and (3) for Spittal. “The Police Station” at Spittal. As soon as occasion arises, and if sufficient warning be given, a staff of ambulance workers will immediately proceed to each of these stations, and boy scouts will, also, be detailed to each station to act as messengers and orderlies. Steps have been taken to furnish each station with the necessary appliances, and it is hoped by these means that, in the unhappy event of first aid being required, ample assistance will be forthcoming.

 

WEDDING BELLS IN WAR TIME

Pretty Ceremony at Ford

 

On Tuesday, May 2nd, at Ford Parish Church, Northumberland, the marriage took place of the Rev. T. J. Parry, temporary chaplain at the Front, second son of Mr James Parry of Halesworth, Suffolk, and Miss Betty Neligan, eldest daughter of the Right Rev. Bishop Neligan, D.D., and Mrs Neligan of Ford Rectory, Northumberland.

The ceremony was performed by Bishop Neligan, the father of the bride, and was choral. The Church was most tastefully decorated with flowers, kindly given by Lord Joicey, from the gardens of Ford Castle.

The bride who walked up the aisle on the arm of her brother, Cadet M. D. M. Neligan, R.N., was given away by her mother, who wore a pale grey dress of liberty silk and chiffon and a black hat.

The bride was charmingly dressed in a white liberty crepe de chine gown with a simple train and tulle veil, and carried a beautiful bouquet of white flowers. She was attended by two bridesmaids, Miss Helen Neligan (sister) and Miss Joan Ackland (cousin), whose pretty dresses were shell pink liberty crepe de chine with black picture hats and wreaths of forget-me-nots. They carried lovely bouquets of pink carnations and silver chain bags, the gift of the bridegroom.

The best man was Captain Parry, D.S.O., 4th Suffolk Regiment, brother of the bridegroom. Both he and his brother were in service khaki uniforms.

The charming bouquets were made by Mr Jackson, head gardener of Ford Castle.

Ford Castle and Parish Church, part of the Ford and Etal estate. © N T Stobbs - Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license.
Ford Castle and Parish Church, part of the Ford and Etal Estate. © N T Stobbs – Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license.

 

The Church was filled with friends and parishioners, including Lord Joicey, the Hon. Marguerite Joicey, and Mrs Macray, grandmother of the bride. All the friends assembled at the Rectory afterwards, when a presentation was made by Lord Joicey and Mr Gray, on behalf of the parishioners of Ford Parish of a very handsome pair of tall silver candlesticks. The presents included many handsome cheques.

The happy couple left later in a motor for St. Mary’s Loch, where the short honeymoon will be spent before the bridegroom returns to the Front. The bride’s going away dress was a dark blue gabardine coat and skirt with pale chiffon blouse and black straw hat with pale blue flowers.