Berwick

This Week in World War One, 27 December 1918

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 27 DECEMBER 1918

CHRISTMAS

One feature of the Christmas season in Berwick was the extraordinary number of service men on leave, several not having spent Christmas at home for the past few years. The shops on Christmas Eve were very busy, and the great shortage of fruit, especially apples, as well as the exorbitant prices asked were the subject of much comment. Children lamented the scarcity of sweets, as “two ounces” only was the general rule in most shops.

(c) BRO 2103-4-458 Santa at Berwick

The weather on Christmas Day was stormy and disagreeable during the forenoon, but cleared away fine later in the day. Things were very quiet on the whole in the town. At night some children dressed up as “Mummers” went from house to house singing. This is a custom that is not often observed in Berwick. Services were held in some of the churches.

THE WORKHOUSE

The inmates of the Workhouse were treated to a good dinner of roast beef and plum-pudding on Christmas Day. As is customary tobacco was given to the smokers and sweets to the non-smokers. Mr Stirling, Tweedmouth, kindly supplied beer, and aerated waters were also sent in.

(c) BRO 1541-01 Entrance to the Workhouse

There are only 33 inmates at present a marked contrast to the years before the war when there were generally well over one hundred.

THE INFIRMARY

The patients at the Infirmary were entertained to dinner and tea on Christmas Day by Dr. C. G. Maclagan, chairman of the House Committee. During the afternoon gifts were distributed from a prettily decorated Christmas tree in one of the wards. Some members of Committee and a few friends’ including the Mayor and Mayoress, Lady Wilkie-Dalyell, Miss Wilkie-Dalyell, and Miss Maclagan, were present. The tree and evergreens which added so greatly to the festive appearance of the wards were kindly given by Lady Wilkie-Dalyell. There were not quite so many children amongst the patients as on former occasions.

AT THE BARRACKS

A splendid dinner of the usual Christmas fare was served at mid-day to the men at the Barracks on Christmas Day. A great many men are off home on their twelve days leave. During the course of the dinner Major McAlester, the Officer Commanding, visited the Dining Hall, which was most tastefully decorated, and wishing them all the compliments of the season gave the men some words of good advice.

MALARIA CAMP

The majority of the officers, non-commissioned officers and men are away on Christmas leave, large batches leaving daily. A most excellent dinner was served on Christmas Day, with the usual fare, and greatly enjoyed by all present.

POST OFFICE

The work at the Berwick Post Office this year has been greatly in excess of last year, but not up to the standard of the pre-war period. Saturday was a busy day, but the posting on Monday were very heavy. The 24th and 25th Dec. were as usual very busy days. A special feature was the heavy postings of letter packets due no doubt to the increased parcel rates which make it cheaper to send a smaller parcel at letter rates. The Christmas Cards also came more into favour this year. The temporary assistants employed this year were women and they did their work well; as did the whole of the regular staff.

BERWICK’S FIRST V.C.

On Monday morning Mr and Mrs Huffam, of 119 High Street, received word that their youngest son, Second Lieut. James Palmer Huffam, 5th Duke of Wellington’s, attached 2nd battalion had been awarded the Victoria Cross. The news was received in a wire from their son’s Commanding Officer congratulating them upon the award, and Mr Huffam has since received the following letter from Lieut. Col. Pawlett.

2nd Batt, Duke of Wellington’s Regt.

19 December, 1918

Dear Mr Huffam, – I hardly know whether to congratulate you or thank you on the occasion of the honour bestowed on your son – congratulations are on the occasion of the honour- to you as the father of such a boy, and thanks for the award coming to the Regiment. We have been anxious for some time whether this well merited reward was coming through for one who so richly and deservedly earned it, but now we are happy to think it has and your boy is alive and well at the last of the fighting. I cannot express a small part of the pride we all feel in having so noble a hero as your son as a member of our Battalion which bears such a noble name and record. May you and your gallant son live long to enjoy the fame which he has earned so nobly. This is the brightest Christmas greeting I can send from my Battalion and may you enjoy many more. Yours sincerely J. PAWLETT, Lt,. Col., Commanding 2nd, The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment.

The non-commissioned officers and men of “C” Coy., have also telegraphed to Mr Huffam, their congratulations on the Second Lieut’s winning the V.C.

NORHAM

ANOTHER NORHAM LAD’S RETURN FROM GERMANY

Private Murray Gregor, N.F., returned to his home on Saturday night from Germany. He was taken prisoner when the Huns began their great offensive on March 21st last, and was sent into Eastern Prussia, where he worked at first down a mine, but was afterwards put to do farm work, for which he received a mark a day. The Huns, he says, were cruel taskmasters, and especially did he find them so while working down the mine. He speaks very highly of the parcels sent out by the Northumberland Prisoners’ of War Fund Committee, which he declares kept, him alive for he could get very little to eat otherwise. Private Murray Gregor previous to being taken prisoner had seen much fighting, often being employed in the dangerous work of sniping. His two months’ leave will, we trust, bring about a great improvement in his state of health. Before joining up he was a forester on the Ladykirk estate. There are now four lads in our village who have been prisoners of war in Germany, viz., Sergt. Marshall, Corpl. H. Moody, Private T. Tait and Private Murray Gregor.

There are many young lads going about our village in khaki or blue, home for their twelve days leave. The boys in blue are Petty Officer J. White, Stoker J. Cowe, Seaman J. Bell, and Seaman Jas. Wilkinson; whilst in khaki we notice Private G. Strother, N.F.; Private R. Swan, N.F.; Private Drummond, R.G.A., and the returned prisoners of war. A dance has been arranged by some of the young ladies of the village for New Year’s Eve, at which is expected a fair gathering of the boys. The proceeds of this dance are to go towards the Welcome Home Fund

RATIONS TO CONTINUE

ANOTHER BOOK LIKELY TO FOLLOW THE CURRENT, ISSUE

The coupons book will continue in use for some months, and a fresh edition will probably follow the current issue after March.

The forecast for rations may be assumed up as follows:-

MEAT – Home produce short until the spring, in view of which imports are economised so as to build up reserves.

BUTTER – Increase not likely until cattle are put to grass, when more milk, now very short, will admit of increased dairy output.

MARGARINE – An ounce may be added to the weekly ration early in the New Year.

SUGAR – Ration to be increased to 3/4lb weekly from the end of January.

JAM – Revision expected second week in January; may lead to coupons being dispensed with.

Generally, if jam is the first article to go off the ration list, margarine will be the second, and sugar and butter will follow as conditions improve.

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.

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