Berwick

This Week in World War One, 13 December 1918

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 13 DECEMBER 1918

PROPOSED WAR MEMORIAL

A well-attended meeting was held in the Archbold Hall on Thursday evening last, at which the question of establishing some permanent memorial in memory of the Wooler men who have fallen in the war, was considered. Mr F. R. Padley was in the chair, and he thought all would be of one opinion that there should be some memorial to commemorate the fallen. They had nothing cut and dried to lay before the meeting, and thought they should first of all decide whether it was desired to have a memorial. Mr G. Gallon moved that a memorial be taken in hand. This was seconded by Mr J. Rule, and carried unanimously. The next thing considered was  whether it should only be for Wooler parish or to include all places within a radius of four miles, similar to the S. and S. Fund, when the latter plan was decided upon. The committee was next discussed, when it was decided to elect a new committee independent to the Sailors and Soldiers Fund Committee, with a separate fund.


Wooler War Memorial,Tower Hill, beside the remains of the fortified stone tower built in the 16th century.        © wfmillar, Tower Hill, Wooler. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license.

The following committee of 17 was then appointed: – Messrs J. Beattie, R. Bell, J. Hogg, W. L. Leach, G. Strother, W. Bone, the Rev. Dr. Bowick, MrsLillico, G. Thompson, Planation House; W. Dixon, Mrs T. brown, Mr R. Hinson, jun., R. Jeffrey, Haugh Head, Mrs Hogg, Houston, Fenton; J. Nesbit, Doddington,and J. Knox with Mr J. Beattie as convener. The next thing was suggestions as to what form the memorial should take, when the following were mentioned :- a monument,a  peel of bells, extension and improvement of the Mechanics’ Institute, chapel for the churchyard, home of rest for sailors and soldiers. Mr J. Scott moved that the settlement be deferred until the committee saw what financial support they were likely to receive, which was agreed to. The committee will then call another public meeting to decide on the form of the memorial. The chairman, who throughout handled the meeting with tact and ability, said they had had a most harmonious meeting, and trusted the committee would get to work, and that they would be successful in their efforts to obtain a fitting memorial to commemorate their brothers and sons, and hoped that the public would respond liberally. A vote of thanks to Mr Padley for his services in the chair brought the proceedings to a close.

LOCAL NEWS

In the days before the war salmon poaching on Tweedside was carried on stealthily, as bailiffs were sure to be on the look-out for offenders. During the past two or three years their watch has been less strict and it is now a common sight in towns up the River Tweed to see men and women aided by boys, helping themselves to salmon in broad daylight. Recently there has been a great run of salmon on the Tweed, and some exciting scenes have been witnessed, and numerous salmon extracted from the river in ways a true-born angler would not approve.

TWEEDMOUTH JOTTINGS

Private James Coulthard, son of Mr and Mrs Wm. Coulthard, Shore House, Tweedmouth, arrived home on Tuesday. James joined up very early in the war, while still considerably under military age, but he was determined to do something for his country. He soon found himself in France and has since taken his full share in many stiff engagements. He was taken prisoner during the great March offensive, while doing duty with the 21st M.G.C., 14th Division.


The Calais lighthouse is a landing light.  It is a navigational aid for ships entering the port, and a landmark for those who cross in the Pas-de-Calais Strait, the busiest in the world.  Private James Coulthard would have likely witnessed it on his return home to Tweedmouth in 1918.  © Ottaviani Serge.

They were completely outnumbered and were compelled to give in. Then their troubles began as they were compelled to carry to safety their own and the German wounded. Next day they were sent off to the lines, very little food was given them and they were subjected to the most cruel treatment while at work, and had to march a distance of seven and a half miles twice a day. Their work was anything but pleasant, being chiefly that of burying the dead. They were then removed to Alsace and had the honour of being the first to arrive in that province, but the journey of 48 hours had been too much for many of them,nearly 70 per cent dying on the journey. After the signing of the Armistice food became more plentiful. He came away from Metz, travelling through France to Calais, then across Channel to Dover, landing home on Tuesday morning. Tweedmouth should be proud of such lads as “Jimmy.”

SCREMERSTON

Sergt. Wm. Mowitt, Duke of Wellington Regt. is home on fourteen days’ leave from France. He joined up in 1915, and has been about three years in France, and has been wounded and gassed in that period in the fighting on the Western front. He was an employee of Scremerston Colliery before enlistment.

Home on fourteen days’ leave, Private Wm. Spence, A.S.C.He has been in the Army about two years, and has been close on one and a half years in France. We extend to both soldiers a hearty welcome and hope they may enjoy a well-earned rest.

LOWICK

We are pleased to report that news has come to hand of the return to England of Private Andrew Lyall, Lowick, who has been a prisoner of war in Germany. He is a son of Mr and Mrs A. Lyall, Farm Cottages. We hope we may soon see him in Lowick, and hear what he has to tell about his treatment in the hands of the Huns.

Another prisoner of war has arrived home at Bowsden, private Bryan Hills, who has been in the hands of the Huns for some time. We hope he will benefit from his two months’ leave in his native place.

This Week in World War One, 9 August 1918

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 9 AUGUST 1918

 

FOOTBALLS FOR THE 7TH

 

The following letter has been received from Major Smail at the Front thanking Miss Cowen and Miss Herriot for the footballs for which they have collected subscriptions. We also publish a list of subscriptions; others are promised and the list is still open.

Friday, 2nd August, 1918.

Dear Miss Cowen and Miss Herriot, The footballs you so kindly raised subscriptions for duly arrived on Monday. They just arrived in the nick of time as most of ours were on their last legs, having been repaired several times. I kept one for my Company and sent the other three up to Battalions Headquarters for distribution to the other Companies. The C.O. (Lieut. Col. Liddell, M.C.) is much delighted that Berwick has remembered its own Battalion again. He told me on my return to the Battalion that the Guild of Aid was one of the few organisations in North Northumberland which seemed to remember the existence of the battalion. If, as I hope, you will keep this effort going, we will be more than ever indebted to the inhabitants of the old place. You have no idea how much pleasure the lads out here get out of a football. Besides pleasure it is good for their physical fitness.

Be sure you convey adequately to the subscribers our warmest thanks for their generosity. We are much indebted to you for undertaking the Secretarial duties. I am awfully glad you took the hint I gave you in this matter and so promptly too. I know lots of people would like to do something for the men out here, but have not much idea of what to send them. They can take it from me that they cannot do better than support your next appeal for funds.- Yours sincerely, H . R. SMAIL, Major.

 

NURSE KATE BISHOP RECIEVES

ROYAL RED CROSS DECORATION

Nurse Kate Bishop, daughter of Mr John Bishop, hon, Curator, Berwick Museum attended a Buckingham Palace on Wednesday week, when an investiture was held by His Majesty the King. The King in pinning on the decoration of the Royal Red Cross, warmly commended Miss Bishop on her bravery in the French hospitals, which were in May and June bombed by hostile air craft, and trusted she would long be spared to wear it.

Miss Bishop received her education at the Girls’ High School, and later went to Darlington Training College. She was keenly interested in V.A.D. work and found time to take this up while engaged as a school teacher at Bedlington. Fully qualified as a V.A.D. sister she offered her services some three years ago, and was almost immediately sent to France. At one of the large hospitals, known to every soldier who has come down from the “line” with a “Blightly,” her experiences have been of a varied character.

During the time she has been in France she has assisted in the nursing of many local soldiers and officers. After having endured the ordeal of repeated attack by cowardly air pilots and bombers, during which time the nurses and wounded were often compelled at night time to seek shelter in dug-outs in proximity to the Hospital, Miss Bishop was allowed a respite from her duties. She has spent most of the time in her native town of Berwick, where she has received the hearty congratulations and good wishes of a large circle of friends.

We trust Nurse Bishop will have an enjoyable time in Old Berwick, and that she will have many years of life after the war is over in which to wear her decoration.

 

LOCAL NEWS

Lord Armstrong suggests organised wild fruit picking by tame pickers, such as members of the Guild of War Agricultural Helpers, Boy Scouts and school children under control, and ask landowners to allow such pickers access to their hedges.

Volunteers in Section A, B, and C, if certified by the officer commanding their unit as being engaged whole time on agricultural work, may be relieved from attending half the prescribed number of drills during July, August, and Sept.

The Tweed salmon net fishing has again been very poor, and the only thing which can effect an improvement is a good spate. The sooner this comes the better, as the season is getting on. Fish continue to sell at the controlled figure, 3s per lb.

A leek planting competition took place at the Garden of Meadow House, Tweedmouth, on Wednesday last, the event being watched with considerable interest, Mr T. Steel, Berwick, was the prize-winner, planting 1800 leeks per hour, and the runner up was Mr Henderby, Spring Gardens, who put in 1600 in the same time.

The August Holiday was celebrated fairly quietly in the town, the restrictions on railway and motor travelling having had their effect. A goodly number however found their way to Mordington, where a Red Cross Fete afforded numerous and varied attractions. Others spent the day at the seaside, while a fairly representative crowd from Berwick, Tweedmouth and Spittal sought an afternoon’s relaxation in peaceful Norham and picturesque Horncliffe.

Horncliffe Mill © Berwick Record Office – BRO 426 1121.

In the afternoon those about High Street were kept in fits of laughter for a time by the realistic antics of a Red Cross performer from Mordington, who on his “fiery steed” cantered about soliciting donations to the Red Cross Funds. Much amusement was caused when the “steed” slashed out in lifelike manner at those who did not contribute.

 

SCREMERSTON

A war memorial service was held at Scremerston Church on Sunday. There was a good attendance of members and others. The officers and men of the Volunteer Battalion at Seahouses were also present. The sermon was preached by the Rev. E. L. Owen, Vicar of St. Andrew’s Newcastle, in the absence of Mr Lightfoot, owing to illness.

Home for a few days is Private Bert Roberts, Duke of Wellingtons, Town, Farm. This young lad has been twice wounded and has another brother serving.

Pleased to see home on a well-earned leave Capt. J. E. Carr, of Heatherytops, who has come from the Italian theatre of operations. He is looking remarkably well in spite of the arduous campaigning he has gone through since taking his commission. Captain Carr received his commission in the early stages of the war, and has served in France. We trust he will have a very pleasant holiday.

Sec. Lieut. Jas. Jobling, R.N., who formerly was joint tenant with his brother of Scremerston Town Farm, is home on a well-earned leave. He is serving in one of H.M. Submarines, but looks as fresh as the proverbial daisy. We trust he will have a good time before returning to duty.

WW1 British E-class submarine HMS E3, sunk on 18 October 1914. This highlights the dangers Sec. Lieut. Jas. Jobling from Scremerston, who served as a submariner in 1918 faced along with his fellow comrades in WW1. © No known copyright.

 

BELFORD DISTRICT

INTERESTING PROCESSION

Sunday being the anniversary of Britain’s entry in to the war, services befitting the occasion were held in St. Mary’s Church, Belford. In the morning the Church was crowded. This was owing to the great procession which marched from the billets in High Street and took its place in the pews set a set apart for it. First in the procession were a detachment of the L.V.R. at present quartered in the village. Next came the Land Army, then the members of the V.A.D. behind were the Girl Guides, then the Boy Scouts, and after them were the Comrades of The Great War, and members of the Rechabites brought up the rear. The Vicar preached an interesting and impressive sermon from 1st Peter, 5th chapter, 10th verse. Hymns appropriate to the occasion were sung.

This Week in World War One, 12 July 1918

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 12 JULY 1918

 

WAR NEWS

 

Good News of Berwick Officer

SEC.LIEUT.ROBT. G. CARR, R.A.F.

A PRISONER

News has been received by Mr and Mrs Robert Carr, The Elms, Berwick, that their eldest son, Second Lieut. Robert Greenhan Carr, R.A.F., posted missing on 21st June, 1918, is a prisoner of war in Germany and is well. The news has come as a great relief to the family.

Second Lieut.Carr received his education at Barnard Castle and Mill Hill Schools, and at the latter place was a member of the Officers Training Corps. He took his commission on his 18th birthday, and after only two weeks service in France, he was posted missing.

FORMER LOWICK SOLDIER MISSING

Private Peter Renwick.

We regret to hear that Private Peter Renwick, Northumberland Fusiliers, eldest son of Mr Gordon Renwick and Mrs Renwick, 152 Pont Street, Hirst, Ashington, has been posted missing on the 27th May. Prior to settling down at Hirst the family resided in Lowick.

WITH THE N.F.FOOTBALL TEAM IN

FRANCE

The football team of the local battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers has had a series of engagements lately. Within the last three weeks they have played seven matches, winning six and drawing one. In one of these matches won the opposition were particularly strong, three of the players (including Percy Dawson of Hearts of Midlothian and Blackburn Rovers fame) being well-known in first class football.

We understand the team has not won the Divisional Football Competition on two occasions, as previously reported. On one occasion only they reached the Final, when they were extremely unlucky to lose by odd goal in three.

BERWICK SERGEANT PRESUMED KILLED

Sergeant John Cleghorn.

Information has been received by Mrs Cleghorn, that her husband, Sergeant John Cleghorn, Northumberland Fusiliers, posted missing on the 16th August, 1917, must now be presumed to have been killed on or since that date.

Sergt. Clegorn, who was the son-in-law of Coxswain and Mrs Jamieson, Low Greens, had the splendid record of six years’ service in India, and later at the Dardenelles. He was wounded whilst serving in France in 1915, and on his recovery was sent out to Serbia. Prior to joining the army he was employed as a carter with Messrs Gray, builders, Berwick.

 

LOCAL NEWS

Ration books are now being distributed and come into use in Berwick on the 18th, when the current coupon cards are exhausted. Should anyone fail to receive this book by the end of the week, he should apply to the Local Food Committee, who can issue emergency cards for one week.

Arrangements are being made to send footballs to the 7th N.F. at the front, and it is hoped to send four footballs a quarter. The first four are already an order. Subscriptions will be gratefully received by Miss Mollie Cowen or Miss Jean Herriot.

On Saturday the Mayor and Mayoress received in the Council Chambers of the Townhall, gifts of silver on the occasion of the Silver Wedding of the King and Queen. There was a display of bunting outside the hall entrance and flowers also were introduced in the scheme of decoration.

Early 1900s photograph of Marygate, Berwick-upon-Tweed. Berwick Record Office, BRO 1636-3-16

The mayor was present during the day, wearing his chain of office and there was also in attendance the acting Town Clerk and Mr Clements. The gifts were of a varied description including antique bracelets, ornaments, fruit dishes and medallions, but the majority of the gifts were in sealed envelopes and packages. Numerous envelopes containing coin of the Realm were handed in.

A continuance of the Musketry Camp in connection with the training and instruction of the Berwick and district Volunteers took place last weekend. Contingents were present from Rothbury, Rock and Rennington under Capt. Gibson Smith and Lieut. Howie from Rothbury, while the instructional staff was the same as last week. Recruits fired in the morning, and efficients mostly from Berwick Company in the afternoon. Recruits were passed out for drill by Lieuts. Anderson and Mills. Capt. Ridley was in charge of the musketry. The ladies of the V.A.D. again very kindly gave their services in the cooking, this being superintended by Nurse Commandant Anthony, Berwick. On Tuesday night the men of the Hotchkiss Machine Gun section fired their course, when it is very pleasing to report that out of the ten men in the team nine passed first class, and the other one also was found to be efficient. On Saturday the Belford Company visit Berwick to be put through their firing and drill exercises.

 

© Imperial War Museum.

NORHAM

Mrs Wm. Askew, Ladykirk, the organiser for the Norham and Ladykirk district National Egg Collection for our wounded soldiers and sailors, has had sent to London, 1138 eggs collected during the months of April, May and June. Towards this number Norham contributed 108, Ladykirk 276, Swinton 365, and Simprim 389. Although eggs are dear, yet our wounded soldiers and sailors should receive a little consideration, especially from the keepers of poultry. Eggs form the principal diet of many of our wounded lads, and there is an earnest appeal for more every day from the hospitals both abroad and at home. Will those who are able do their best to answer that appeal. Eggs may be sent any Tuesday afternoon to the War Hospital Supply Depot, the Old School, Norham, which is a collecting station for the Norham District. Contributions will also be thankfully received from those unable to send eggs.

 

TWEEDMOUTH JOTTINGS

Private Grierson Wilson of the Canadians is home to Main Street, Tweedmouth, on four days’ leave. He is a son of Mrs and the late Mr John Wilson, sculptor, Tweedmouth, and emigrated to Canada some 11 years ago. His life since arriving in Toronto, has not been a bed of roses, and he is not afraid to tell the reason why. Much of his latter time has been spent in the service of the Canadian Pacific Steamship lines, trading principally between Canadian Ports, and Japan, China, and Russia. His story is worth listening to. He enlisted some three months ago into the Canadians, and is now training in the South of England. Pte. Safford Wilson of the Australians, his brother, made the supreme sacrifice in France some time ago, a young man of exceptional character and abilities. Another brother at home, William, went through the Boer War, and is now on a two months exemption, before joining up again. He at present carries on the sculptor’s business of his deceased father.

 

 

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