BERWICK ADVERTISER, 15 NOVEMBER 1918

HOW THE GOOD NEWS WAS RECEIVED AT BERWICK

Last Monday will be long remembered in Berwick. The welcome news that Germany had signed the Armistice began to filter through about 8a.m. on Monday, having been picked up on the coast by wireless. Official word was not received till 11.30am, when Mr Toohey, Customs Officer, first received a wire from the Naval Authorities. This was followed by a wire to the Commanding Officer at the Barracks about 12 noon, and there was great excitement in the town when shortly afterwards the news was officially announced from the Townhall steps. With extreme rapidity flags and bunting that had not seen the light of day for years, were hung out, and a considerable crowd gathered in the High Street, which had a very gay appearance,. It was a beautiful day, and everyone was in high spirits. The Mayor (Ald. Plenderleith) was accompanied by the Sheriff (Mr T. Wilson), Major McAlester, Councillors Bolus and Dixon, Mr D. Herriot, Lieut. and Mrs J.A. McCreath, Chief Constable Nicholson, Mr J. Gibson, Miss Willoby, Miss Greet ( Norham); Mr and Mrs Toohey, etc. Addressing the crowd through a megaphone, the Mayor said; “Ladies and gentlemen, the long wished for and long looked for day has at last arrived. Peace is in sight. A telegram has come announcing that the Armistice has been signed by Germany.” He then called upon Major McAlester to read the telegram.

Major McAlester said – “The following telegram arrived at five minutes to twelve and reads, ‘Armistice signed with Germany. Full advantage of pipes, trumpets and drums to be taken to announce same.’ (Loud and prolonged cheers.) The band of the K.O.S. Borderers then struck up God Save the King.

Afterwards Major McAlester said: – “His Worship the Mayor has asked me to allow the band to parade through the streets. I have great pleasure in giving my consent.” The crowd thereafter dispersed, and the band paraded the streets, headed by an aged but exuberant drum-major, and followed by crowds of soldiers, some carried shoulder high together with children carrying flags. We never remember rejoicings when so many children were seen with flags in their hands. It was quite a feature, and where they all sprung from is difficult to say. The shops and works in the town were closed in the afternoon, and the Boy Scout Band paraded the streets.

Long lines of munition workers and Saw Mill girls in trousers also paraded the streets singing and cheering. One was actually seen giving the “Glad eye.”

London, we are told, quite lost its head, but the rejoicings at Berwick though spontaneous and hearty were within limits. In the Strand staff officers were seen on the tops of careering taxis, blowing trumpets, but in Berwick, so far as we could learn, no orders for taxis were given by the K.O.S.B. command, and no trumpets were blown – in public.

COUNTY COURT

The County Court, which was sitting, carried on its work of disposing of a grandfather clock undisturbed by happenings outside, but Judge Greenwell was very jocular, as if he had something up his sleeve.

LIGHTED STREETS

At night, on the suggestion of the mayor, the shading was removed from the street lamps, and lighting restrictions were generally disregarded, the electric are lamps in front of the Picture Houses blazing forth. Bells rung joyous peals, and the town clock, which for four years been silent from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., struck all through the night.

During the evening bands of young people paraded the streets singing snatches of popular songs, accompanied by accordions, concertinas and other instruments, and enjoying the novel sensation of being able to walk about in comfort in the lighted streets. There was no drunkenness in the town, and, unlike celebrations during the Boer War, especially “Mafeking Night,” not a drunk soldier to be seen even as late as 10 p.m.

There were a few fireworks let off in the streets. The window decorations at Messrs W. and A. Johnston and Co.’s shop in High Street were very striking. The window was panelled with red, white and blue muslin, illuminated from behind by electric lights, and small Union Jacks were crossed in the centre of the white panel. Oher shops screened their doorways with Union Jacks, instead of the usual dark curtains prescribed by “Aunt Dora.” Fireworks, especially Chinese squibs and Roman candles, were set off at frequent intervals by the boys in the streets on Wednesday. There was also a bon-fire on Wednesday night on the shore on the Tweedmouth side of the river.

IMPROMPTU SERVICE AT THE PARISH CHURCH

A very impressive service was conducted in the Parish Church by the Rev. R. W. de la Hey, vicar, at 7 p.m. The Vicar had announced this service to a few friends in the forenoon, the word was circulated round the town, and the Church was filled well up to the front. There were special psalms, Mr Robson read a special lesson, the Vicar gave a short address from the chapel steps, and the service closed with the National Anthem.

Berwick Parish Church. © John Box – Friends of Berwick and District Museum and Archives website.

WALLACE GREEN

Here was an informal peace celebration at Wallace Green on Monday night, a very happy choice of subject having been made when the Literary and Debating Society syllabus was drawn up. Mr J. Strachan and Mr W. J. Marshall were leaders in a discussion in the vestry on “The League of Nations,” and were listened to with much interest by an audience, which was very friendly to the scheme. Specially noteworthy was the hearty reception of Viscount Grey’s name. Mr Macaskill, Miss M.C. Holmes, Mr Hamilton, Mr Stowe, Mr Carr, Mr Henderson, Mr Stewart, and Mr Gaul followed, and late in the evening the two leaders replied. The meeting broke up with the National Anthem.

A NIGHT OUT FOR THE R.A.F.

On Tuesday evening the “boys” from Haggerston Aerodrome had a night out. They came in to Berwick siting like monkeys on the top of a large aircraft repair shop motor with two old aeroplane wings strapped on the sides. Singing at the top of their voices and beating a tattoo with sticks upon the aero wings they turned out the cottagers and villagers on the road leading into the town. Mounted on the top of a waggon a soldier controlled a land search light which lit up the streets like broad daylight. The van after passing up High Street stood for a time in front of the Townhall, where a large crowd gathered round to listen to the songs and jokes of the men. The waggon was later taken to the Parade and the men spent a part of the evening in town.

Berwick Town Hall early 1900’s (c) BRO 426-294

DUNS

Chary in respect of last week’s premature rejoicing, Duns resolved to “maksiccar” before bell ringing. It was well after two o’clock before what was considered indisputable evidence was received, and at once a merry peal rang out from the Town Hall bell. A few flags were hoisted. Special church services were held on Tuesday.

NEWS ON THE FARMS

On the farms the news was received with rejoicing. Many farmers immediately granted a full day’s holiday, and the killing of a pig took place on some steadings. Singing in the fields, an occurrence hardly heard for four years, was general.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 7 JANUARY 1916

THE NEW YEAR

BERWICK

The celebration of the New Year in the streets of the ancient borough of Berwick appeared to maintained in much the customary fashion despite the effects of the war. The weather was dull and wet, but the streets bore an animated appearance, the khaki uniform predominating among the pedestrians. The lighting restrictions, combined with the weather exercised a damping effect on the majority of grown-ups, but the young idea moved about exchanging the compliments of the season in a hearty and hilarious fashion, while lively and popular songs added zest and variety to the proceedings.

The only place of public entertainment in the Borough, the Playhouse, drew large crowds, and the performances were very much appreciated. The shops drew large numbers in the making of seasonable purchases, and in laying in additional supplies to tide the householder over till Monday. As the evening advanced the thoroughfares assumed a more livelier air, the hum of voices and merry shout emphasising the fact that the old year was slowly vanishing, and that the majority were out for the night to witness the actual death. As usual a number seemed to give way to over indulgence, but as a reasonable latitude was for once allowed the police were not called upon to interfere, the result being that there was a clean bill on the first morning of 1916. Towards midnight large numbers assembled at the foot of the Town Hall to hear the knell of the old year and the peel that welcomed the new born year. The usual good wishes were exchanged and thereafter friendly visits were paid to the houses of acquaintances. For a considerable time after twelve o’clock the thoroughfares resounded to the shouts of the merry makers. Saturday was a general holiday. The weather continued dull and wet, and few people were to be seen in the streets. The special performances at the Playhouse were again well patronised. On the whole the New Year was quietly celebrated, all circumstances tending to have this effect.

EXHIBITION OF CAPTURED GERMAN GUN AT BERWICK

The Mayor of Berwick (Ald J. W. Plenderleith), has just been notified by the authorities in charge of the Scottish Command in Edinburgh that a captured German gun is being sent to Berwick for exhibition purposes. In making the notification it was enquired which would be the most convenient site to have the gun placed, and His Worship in reply suggested the Parade between the military huts and Wallace Green Church.

Army huts with the Berwick Barracks in background. Copyright Berwick Record Office. BRO-1944-1-149-1

The military authorities have expressed themselves pleased with the proposed site, and the gun will be exhibited in presence of a military guard. It is understood that the captured gun will be on exhibition for three days from nine a.m. till four p.m. and that it will be removed to the Barracks each evening. No definite date has yet been fixed for the arrival of the gun.

A PRETTY WEDDING

On December 27th, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Sunderland, the marriage was solemnised of Mr E. Norman Chapman, York, to Miss Sadie Waters, daughter of Mr Thomas Waters, Wooler. The bride was given away by her father, and the bridesmaid was Miss M. H. Brand, cousin of the bride. Miss Allison James and master Reggie Waters, niece and nephew of the bride, acted as attendants. The best man was Mr E. Settle of York. Rev. R. L. Wiseman officiated. The bride was charmingly attired in a costume of saxe blue galardine, trimmed fur, with hat to match. She carried a lovely shower bouquet, and wore a brooch of rubies and diamonds, the gifts of the bridegroom. The bridesmaid wore a costume of navy blue and large white hat, and a gold bangle, the gift of the bridegroom. The bridegroom’s gift to Miss Allison James, who looked very pretty in a dress of pale grey, was a gold chain pendant, and to Master R. Waters a silver watch and chain. A reception was held at the house of the bride’s brother, Hunter Terrace, and later the new-married couple left for their future home in York. They were the recipients of a large number of useful and beautiful presents.

LOCAL NEWS

Bankhill Church Intercessory Services – The Rev. R. Leggat at the morning intercessory service on Sunday read the roll of honour of the young men attached to the congregation. He mentioned that 27 were on active service, while all the men of military age, with the exception of three who were exempts, had enrolled under the Derby Scheme. New Pipe Band – The first appearance of the Berwick Boy Scouts Pipe Band under Piper Major Lawrie, of the Royal Scots, took place at the Pier Field, on Saturday, the occasion on being a football match between the Boy Scouts and the Sea Scouts, in which the former won by four goals to one. The band made a very creditable appearance, and the selections were much enjoyed.

This Week in World War One, 15 November 1918