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This Week in World War One, 2nd April 1915

08/03/201803/04/2015 by Northumberland Archives

2ND APRIL 1915

SAD AFFAIR AT BERWICK

Young Soldier Accidentally Shot

Lance Corporal in Court

Discharged without a stain on his character

Marshall Meadows Bay, close to where Private Douglas was shot. © Copyright Richard Webb and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

At Berwick Police Court on Thursday, David Oswald, Lance-Corporal in the 2/10th Royal Scots, was charged with the manslaughter of Andrew Douglas, Private in the 2/10th Royal Scots, by shooting him dead with a shot from a rifle at Berwick on Tuesday 30th March. Mr E. W. Stiles, solicitor, appeared for the accused. The Chief Constable said the men were on guard together and the accused had been giving the men musketry drill. The accused had forgot that the rifle was loaded and after shooting the bolt home the rifle went off and killed Douglas. It was in the interests of the regiment, officers, and accused that the case was brought there. He was of the opinion that it was a pure accident and he would ask the Magistrates to discharge the accused and enable him to leave the court clear in the eyes of the world.

Private John Bryce said he was on outpost duty with the deceased and Lance-Corporal Oswald. Oswald was giving them musketry drill. The rifle held by Oswald went off and Douglas fell shot. Oswald then ran forward to the deceased. Oswald was greatly distressed over the occurrence, because he was great friends with the deceased. The witness was quite sure it was an accident.

The Chief Constable said he was present at the inquest the previous day. Oswald gave evidence and after a most exhaustive enquiry the verdict of accidental death was brought in. The Police had made every enquiry and they were of opinion that it was an accident, and on those grounds he asked the accused be dismissed.

By Mr Stiles – I am quite satisfied that the whole affair was a pure accident.

Mr Stiles – I do not think it is necessary for me to add anything. The Police have followed the proper course in following the line they have taken. Everyone sympathises with the accused and the regiment of which he is a member.

The Mayor (addressing accused) – The Bench have considered the case and discharge you. They fully sympathise with the position you are placed in and hope you will not take this too much to heart sad as it is, but remember you have other duties to attend to. You are discharged without any stain on your character whatever.

WOOLER

Madame Marie Levante’s orchestra of ladies gave a performance before a crowded house in the Archbold Hall on Thursday evening last.

A dance is announced to take place next week in aid of Dr Barnardo’s Homes.

On Tuesday morning five young men from the country districts left Wooler station to join the colours. Good luck to them.

A company of the troops stationed at Alnwick were expected to visit Wooler at the beginning of the week on a route march, but at the time of writing they have not arrived. It would perhaps stir the place up if we had a visit from the boys in khaki, and might help recruiting. Wooler has certainly done well, but could still do better in the matter of recruits.

Simnel Cake advert — Advert for Simnel Cake taken from the Berwick Advertise 2nd April 1915

By the Way

Porridge Penny Per Plate

The Military Recreation Rooms are being greatly taken advantage of every night. Light refreshments are provided after eight o’clock at a merely nominal fee, and it is interesting to note that there has been a great demand for porridge by the Scotsmen. Porridge was duly provided, and judging by the way it disappears each evening, it is a very highly appreciated dish. A short, religious service has been started on the Sunday evenings. The various ministers of the Borough are to take their turn in presiding over the meeting. A number of songs and solos are given, followed by a passage from the Scriptures and a closing prayer. There is no sermon. ( ) This space is reserved for remarks of relief!

The Tale of a Dog

A Border Collie dog — A dog was offered as a raffle proze in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund. Image from Pixabay

Almost everyone at this time is anxious to do something to assist those, who through the war, have been placed in distressful circumstances. The ways of raising money for such a purpose are many and varied, but the one I heard of the other day takes some beating.

‘Tis the tale of a dog, and runs thus:- Some gentlemen in local “grain” centres decided to raffle a dog on behalf of the Belgian Relief Fund. A number of tickets were sold, and the Committee ultimately agreed, privately of course, not to draw for the winning man, but to award the dog to a gentleman who they knew would absolutely refuse to keep a dog. This gentleman was told he was the “lucky” man, but he told the Committee to raffle the dog again. This happened three times. But now comes the funny part of the business. A fourth man won the dog and decided to keep it. He applied to the Committee for the dog; the Committee applied to the gentleman who promised to give them the dog; the gentleman informed the Committee that the dog was poisoned one month before the raffle took place, and that they had been raffling for an imaginary dog. However, all’s well that ends well, and the fourth winner was sporting enough to take the matter in good spirit, more so when he heard that the Belgian Relief Fund would benefit to the extent of from £16 to £20.

This Week In World War One, 19th March 1915

08/03/201820/03/2015 by Northumberland Archives

19th March 1915

Berwick Soldier’s Lucky Escape

Writing from the front to his sister in Berwick on March 7, Private William Storey, 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers, says:

The platoon to which I was attached was holding a small detached trench in a field away from the remainder of the company. We had been in the trench 24 hours, and we only had three bottles of water between about 30 men, so when night came the officer in charge sent six of us out for some water. We had to cross an open field, go through a small wood, and across another open field before we could reach the company, at the end of whose trench ran a small brook.

We got the water all right, but as we got back near the wood again the Germans started sending star-shells up, so we had to lie down. When we thought they had finished we got up again, and just as I got on my feet I got hit on the inside of my right thigh. The bullet hit a button on my great coat. It knocked the top off the button, but I send you the other half as a curio. If it had not hit the button it would have hit me in the stomach, so I was very lucky.

Advert for Campbell & Sons Tailors, The Berwick Advertiser 19th March 1915

Military Recreation Rooms Opened in Berwick

Opening Ceremony Performed by The Sheriff

Large numbers of soldiers, representative of the different regiments stationed in the town; together with a good number of the general public, assembled to witness the opening ceremony of the new Recreation Rooms for the Military in Hide Hill, in the premises recently occupied by Messrs Walter Wilson, Ltd, on Monday night.

The spacious rooms of the building have been excellently fitted out and will prove of inestimable use to the troops stationed here. The front room on the ground floor has been partitioned off into two departments, and is to be used as a writing room. Tables are plentifully scattered around the rooms, and all facilities for writing are provided. A letter box has been erected where letters, etc. can be posted, and this will be cleared at suitable hours.

At the rear is another large hall, which is to be used as a reading and smoking room. This will also be used as a concert hall, and here a piano has been installed. The wants of the inner man are provided on the first floor upstairs, where an excellent refreshment bar has been installed. The games room is found in the third storey, and judging by the way it was patronised on the opening night, it will be well made use of.

Shop, Hide Hill — 14 Hide Hill, seen here as Hardy & Co in 1959 , was converted into Military Recreation Rooms in 1915. Ref: BRO 1250/117

THANKS TO THE OWNER

The opening ceremony was held in the Concert Hall, which was filled to overflowing. The Mayor (Mr Thomas Wilson) presided, and he was supported by the Sheriff (Mr E. W. Stiles) and Colonel Peterkin, 10th Royal Scots. Other officers of the 10th Royal Scots present were:- Major Dudgeon, Captain Forbes, Captain Laing, Lieutenant Wolfe, Lieutenant McLeod, and Sergeant-Major Dawes.

The proceedings opened with the singing of the National Anthem.

The Mayor-Before asking the Sheriff to formally open this club room, I wish to publicly acknowledge our debt of gratitude to the owner of these buildings, who has given them at very small rental, and has made it possible for us to have such a splendid place with the accommodation there is. (Applause). Unfortunately, through illness, he is unable to be present, but I I am sure we all trust he will be restored to health and strength to come here and see what has been done through his kindness, not only to you but to the committee in making it possible to give you this accommodation. I have much pleasure in calling upon the Sheriff to open the club rooms. (Applause).

THE OPENING CEREMONY

The Sheriff said-Mr Mayor, Colonel Peterkin and gentlemen, may I in the first place, on creation of the Committee responsible for the creation of this recreation resort, offer to every member of His Majesty’s Forces a most hearty welcome on their first visit to these premises. (Loud applause). So long as you are in our midst the Committee earnestly hope you will take every advantage possible of these rooms. It is intended to keep the rooms open every evening. Including Sunday, from 6 o’clock to 9.45. The Ladies Committee has kindly arranged to entirely take charge of the refreshment department, and they will carry out their duties every evening from eight o’clock until closing time, and there you can obtain refreshments for a very reasonable charge. I think you will prefer to pay something for it and it has been communicated that you would. We hope therefore, that you will make some little acknowledgement towards the expenses of maintaining the establishment. (Applause). I hope you will be able to make good use of these premises which the Committee have at considerable difficulty put into the excellent condition as we see them now, and I hope before you leave the town they will have been of material help to you in you hours of leisure. It is intended to hold concerts occasionally, and I trust the different regiments in the town will take one night each to be responsible for a concert, and the town’s people will also do their best to provide a concert in their turn. (Applause). I have much pleasure in declaring these premises open and support the debt of gratitude we owe to the donors of the premises. (Applause).

14 HIde Hill, Berwick — The building on Hide Hill which was adapted for use as Military Recreation Rooms in 1915. Prior to that the building was occupied by Walter Wilson Ltd. © Copyright N Chadwick and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Colonel Peterkin, in making a few remarks, said;-Mr Mayor, Mr Sheriff and gentlemen-I do not think it is easy for me to properly and adequately express the debt of gratitude the whole of the regiment feel they owe to the people of Berwick….

….All this kindness, I am afraid, that we are having here is very bad training for the trenches. (Laughter). However, it is best to wait until trouble comes before meeting half way, and I do not think we can acknowledge these kindnesses better than making use of these spacious rooms. (Applause). I ask you to give a hearty vote of thanks to the Committee and to the Mayor and Sheriff who are the moving factors in this movement. (Applause).

A smoking concert was afterwards held, when an excellent programme was submitted. In the course of the evening the soldiers were the guests of the Ladies Committee, and refreshments were provided free.

This Week in World War One, 12th March 1915

08/03/201813/03/2015 by Northumberland Archives

12th March 1915

RECRUITING AT HIRINGS

During the hiring week special efforts were made to enlist recruits for the Army from amongst the farm labourers. Taken all over the results were far from satisfactory. Various reasons have been assigned for the failure of the farm servants to come forward to help their country.

One of these was the alleged coercion on the part of the farmers and we believe that to an extent that allegation was true. The real reason for the holding back of the hands is indifference or else inability to comprehend the urgency of the need for men. A walk through the crowd at Berwick on Saturday proved this to the hilt. The manner in which the advances of the recruiting sergeants were met was sufficient to show that the average farm labourer has no intention of enlisting. In fact, a goodly number were inclined to indulge in cheap witticisms at the expense of the recruiting officers.

It was stated recently that there are 80 farms in Berwickshire from which not a single man has gone to join the Army. A preeminent agriculturalist on the other side of the Tweed assures us that in North Northumberland there are twice as many farms about which the same discreditable tale may be told. The gentleman referred to offered his men their situations back when the war was over and gave them every inducement to enlist but no: “There are plenty of men without us.” Was the invariable response. Another farmer told his men he expected them to go but they declined and he went himself. On the other hand there are farmers with several able bodied sons none of whom has taken up arms.

Thus it is evident that there are faults on both sides but Saturday’s market made it clear that if coercion has kept back a certain number the vast majority are holding back through sheer indifference.

Advert for James Park — Advert for the final day of James Park’s sale from the Berwick Advertiser, 5th March 1915

BERWICK – FEW COUNTRY VISITORS

Despite the fact that the country is at present plunged in the biggest struggle it has ever witnessed, the hiring’s at Berwick on Saturday were much the same as in former years, with the exception that there was a slight falling off in the number of people who visit the town on such an occasion as this.

March Hiring notice in the Berwick Advertiser — Notice giving the location for the March Hirings from the Berwick Advertiser 26th February 1915

Like many other hiring markets, Berwick Hiring’s are largely such in name only, and this was exemplified by the small amount of hiring which was entered into on Saturday. As usual, those from the English side took their stand in Sandgate, and the Scottish market was held at the Scotsgate. There was a demand for considerably increased wages, but for the most part the servants were beaten down, although, generally, wages had a slightly upward tendency. On the south side of the Tweed single men engaged at 20s to 21s. On the north side single men got to 20s and 21s if they were able to supply a woman worker. For the hill districts the wage was the highest in the market, and for single men from 22s to 23s was given.

Recruiting sergeants were busy in the streets and a fair number of recruits were obtained. To help recruiting the pipe band of the 10th Royal Scots paraded the principal streets during the afternoon, and perhaps it was the call of the pibroch which attracted the men from the hills and glens, and caused them to rally to the flag.

A son of the plough, who has been appointed organiser of the Ploughmans’ Union from Scotland’s “granite city” was in the south market agitating for an increase of wages. With a fairly large crowd round him, he urged the men to make a demand for a living wage of 24s per week, a ten hours’ day, and a weekly half-holiday. Evidently the thought of such an earthly Paradise was not alluring enough to call for a feeble “hear, hear.” But when in scathing accents he told them not to be beasts of burden all their days, a perceptible smile ran round the faces of the men. Probably it was because they were a well-contented looking lot of persons that it struck them as humorous to be classed as beasts of burden. Of course, such a phrase is a pet one for the organisers and as it failed to forcibly strike the audience the speaker turned to other matters. His appeal to them to unite to demand a better and higher wage with all the etceteras did not evoke much enthusiasm.

Waterloo Hotel Advert — Advert for the Waterloo Hotel, High Street from the Berwick Advertiser, 5th March 1915

A number of peripatetic merchants took their stand in High Street, where they appeared to do a roaring trade. The “jewellers” with loud hammerings on a wooden box poured out with vivid descriptions of the high-class goods – all made in England (?) – and then gave them away merely to advertise their firm…

…Only one of the type who sell 7s 6d for half a crown appeared in the market this year but he has been a regular visitor here, and it was perhaps that a number of his audience had in former years received 2d and a brass chain for their half crown that caused the vendors business to be dull.

Owing to huts for the military having been erected on the Parade there was not much room for the “shows” and there was a smaller number than in former years… …A new game made its appearance, and it was quite a money-making concern-occasionally. With five rings for two pence one tried to ring silver money from threepenny pieces to halfcrowns, but the rings were very light and when aim was taken the rings were in the habit of going everywhere except the object at which they were aimed. The owner of the stall, of course, made more than was won. Shooting booths and cocoanut shies were freely patronised and the fun of the fair was quite as high as ever.

Unfortunately, through lack of space, the organs on the roundabouts were in close proximity and the result was not pleasing to the musical ear. However, as the hour of twelve approached “God Save the King” was switched on and the smallest organ won by a short neck – so ended the 1915 March Hiring. It was rather uncomfortable for the Royal Scots who had to sleep in the huts next the organs where they retired at 9:30. It is not recorded whether or not they got out of bed to stand to attention when the National Anthem was played!

Advert for Renton's — Advert for Renton’s from the Berwick Advertiser, 12th March 1915

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