BERWICK ADVERTISER, 31 OCTOBER, 1919

01/11/2019 by Northumberland Archives

MILITARY NOTES

TO CELEBRATE THE PASSING OF THE VOLUNTEERS

Captain C. L. Fraser, V.D., commanding “B” (Berwick) Company, 4th Northumberland Fusiliers (Vols.), is organising a dinner and smoking concert for all ranks of the Company for Thursday, (6th November, as a wind-up to the movement in the town.

SECOND STAR

In the 4th Bn., K.O.S.B. (T.F.), 2nd Lieut. W. C. Crozier is announced in “London Gazette” as promoted Lieutenant.

DEATH OF A VETERAN FUSILIER

FORMERLY INSTRUCTOR AT BELFORD AND CHATTON

Many inhabitants of North Tyne and Glendale will be sorry to hear of the death of Sergeant-Instructor R. Biddlecombe (“Dick” as he was more familiarly called), who passed away in his 72nd year at Stort Hill, Bishop Stortford.

Dick Biddlecombe joined the 5th Fusiliers about 1867-8, and was finally discharged in 1899, after a total service of 32 years, 13 of which were served as an Instructor with the 1st V.B.N. Fusiliers, 12 years with “I” Company at Corbridge, and 1 year with “C” Company at Belford and Chatton.

A man of splendid physique, robust health, and of powerful build, Dick Biddlecombe never failed to do his duty, and, no matter what the weather, he always made the long journeys to his outlying sections up North Tyne, and in Glendale, and thereby gained the confidence and respect of both officers and men with when he served. He was the possessor of the Afghan and the Long Service and Good Conduct Medals.

Sergt. Instructor Biddlecombe was buried at Great Haileybury Churchyard, on the 17th October, Major H. Perry, R.A.F., formerly Sergt.-Major 1st V.B.N. Fusiliers, being the sole representative of his old comrades at the funeral.

The deceased leaves a widow and three daughters, who are totally unprovided for, to mourn the loss of a good husband, and father, who was also a splendid type of what a Fusilier should be.

LOCAL NEWS

Alnwick Urban District Council entertained the Duke of Northumberland to luncheon on Monday on the occasion of the Town’s welcome to returned soldiers. At the luncheon, Mr R. Henderson, the Chairman, referred to the rumour that the Duke was likely to become Viceroy of India. The Duke, responding, gave the assurance that there was no truth in the rumour. The climate of Northumberland could hardly be described that day as extremely good, but it was quite good enough for him, and he intended to remain there.

At 12 o’clock on Saturday while George Easton was driving a motor car from Spittal to Berwick the steering gear went wrong while near the Carr Rock. The car swerved and dashed over the wall on to the shore, where it turned over.

Early image of the Carr Rock Ref: NRO 683-10-104

The glass wind screen was smashed, but the car was little the worse and was hauled back to the roadway later and taken to Berwick. The driver escaped without injury.

About five o’clock on Saturday morning a railway smash took place on the North-Eastern Railway line on the embankment near the Tunnel, Tweedmouth. An N.B. goods train was run into by a North-Eastern engine and van, with the result that two waggons were derailed and the “down” line blocked.

The former Tweedmouth North signal cabin was situated just south from where the N.B. goods train was run into by a North Eastern engine and van

The breakdown gang was soon on the scene and the work of clearing the line was carried out with expedition. Traffic was again running over the line at ten o’clock.

BERWICK COUNTY COURT

BERWICK MAN SUED FOR RENT OF A CONDEMNED HOUSE

William Denholm hay, secretary of the Craigmillar Brewery, Edinburgh, sued Alexander Kilgour, Cobbler, Hide Hill, Berwick, for the sum of £6 8s 8d, being amount charged for rent for half-year of a house in Castlegate, portion of rates payable, and the expense incurred in replacing gas brackets removed.

Mr. H. R. Peters appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Kilgour conducted his own defence.

Mr Peters, in outlining the case, said the sum sued for was for the half-years rent to 12th May, 1919, and the proportion of rates payable by the tenant, £5 15s; and also the expenses incurred by the landlord in renewing the gas brackets, which had been taken away by Kilgour, this being 13s 8d. On making an examination of the place after defendant left, he discovered that Kilgour had removed all the brackets from every room except an upstairs room.

Judge Greenwell – You are therefore not in a position to throw much light on the subject. (Laughter).

Mr Peters – A portion of the gas piping had the appearance of having been cut away in the passage.

The Judge – They were not the tenant’s fittings.

Mr Peters – No. It was quite clear they had been taken off. I wrote to the defender, but I got no reply. He had not paid the rent which was still owing.

Defendant – I would just like to say I entered this house in August, 14 years ago. There were then no gas fittings in the house, and I was forced to burn a paraffin lamp. Later I put in the gas brackets at my own expense, and also a meter. The brackets are my own property and this is the bill (handling a receipted account up to the Judge) which I paid to Mr Cairns.

The Judge – What have you to say to this, Mr Peters?

Mr Peters – I cannot go back 14 years.

The Judge – From what defendant has told us, the fittings are certainly his. Now, Mr Kilgour, will you tell us why you refuse to pay the rest?

Defendant – The reason I refuse to pay the rent is that in 1915 my boy contracted diphtheria, owing to the conditions at the house, and was sent to hospital. I laid the case before the late Mr Macadam, Sanitary Inspector. I had spoken to Mr Peters several times before his about the house, but he would do nothing. I might mention that the drain was inside the house.

Judge Greenwell – There is nothing in that which would affect the claim.

Defendant – The Sanitary Authority condemned the house, and Mr Peters got a letter saying the house was condemned. I got notice to quit; but at the time I could not get a house, and I had to remain in occupation.

The Judge – That does not absolve you from paying rent.

Defendant – Am I supposed to pay the rent when the house was condemned?

The Judge – Yes, you lived in it, and you will therefore have to pay the rent for it.

Mr Peters – He is out of the house now.

Defendant – I would never refuse to pay rent to any landlord, but this house was condemned. I could not get another house, and I would not turn my wife and child into the street when it was condemned.

The Judge – That was your misfortune in not being able to get another house; but so long as you occupied it you are liable for the rent I must give judgement for plaintiff for the rent and rates, £5 15s, payment to be made at the rate of 10s per month.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 14 MARCH 1919

15/03/2019 by Northumberland Archives

GARDENS AND ALLOTMENTS

HOW TO GROW POTATOES AND ONIONS

At the annual meeting of the Berwick and District Gardens and Allotments Association held last month, Mr Carmichael, hon. treasurers, suggested it would be a good plan to have lectures on the cultivation of vegetables. The committee took up the suggestion in a practical manner, and the first of these lectures was delivered on Tuesday evening in the Long Room, Corn Exchange, by Mr J. Jackson, gardener to Lord Joicey, at Ford castle. The subject of Mr Jackson’s paper was “Potatoes and Onions and their cultivation”. There was a splendid turnout of members and those interested in gardening. The Mayor (Ald. J. Plenderleith) President of the Association was in the chair, and was supported by Councillor Elder and Mr R. Bradford, chairman and joint hon. secretary of the Association respectively.

CHATTON

Reference was made under the Lowick news of our South West Edition last week of the flight over the district of the airship N, S. 7. Since then a fatality has occurred in connection with the airship. When rising from Newcastle Town Moor on Tuesday, 4th March, Sergeant Johnstone having seized the rope the airship unexpectedly rose through a burst of sunshine having caused extra buoyancy.

The thrill of the spectators can be imagined when the saw the unfortunate man clinging to the rope till some sixty feet from the ground his strength failed and he crashed to his death, which took place a few minutes from his fall. The Air Service is full of perils, and it is to be hoped that these will be diminished by science before that much talked of aerial posts are established.

A large body of the Canadian troops has left the camp, which is now very small in its proportions. They have not only left their mark upon the landscape, but also upon the roads. It is to be hoped that the road authorities will be alive to the interests of the ratepayers, and get the Government to recoup a fair share of the enormous expenditure which will be required to restore the highways to their normal condition.

HOLY ISLAND

The engagement was announced on Wednesday of Mr Edward Hudson, of Queen Anne’s-gate and Lindisfarne Castle, Northumberland, and Mme. Guilmina Suggia, the famous cellist, who is of Portuguese nationality.

Mr Hudson, who is the chairman and managing director of “Country Life,” is well-known in the north as the owner of the Castle at Holy Island, which dates back as far as 1500. Mr Hudson has furnished the Castle in a most tasteful manner, which is quite in keeping with its romantic history.

LOCAL NEWS

A Glasgow Herald correspondent, in an article on the Old Border Bridge at Berwick mentions, that Cromwell and his army crossed the Tweed by the bridge when in 1650 they marched to Scotland in order to persuade or compel the nation to the rule of the Commonwealth.

The Restoration of the Monarchy brought benefit to Berwick, for Charles II allowed the corporation an annuity of £100 from the Customs of their town or from those of Newcastle for upkeep of the Old Bridge. In 1700 William III ordered the sum to be paid from the Exchequer, and this arrangement is still maintained for the repair of the now ancient structure.

SPITTAL NOTES

Private Andrew Wood, K.O.S.B., is one of Spittal’s war veterans who has been recently demobilised. This gallant Tommy joined up at a period of life when he was far beyond military age, but the irresistible spirit was there, and forced him to action. Since joining up he has passed through the hottest of the fighting on the Western front; and without hesitation we can affirm that the fault would not be his if many a “Jerry” did not pay the full penalty of his misdeeds at the muzzle end of Andrew’s rifle. He has all the pluck and keenness of the true British fighter. We regret that since his home-coming he has been confined to bed, and sincerely trust that his recovery will only be a matter of days, and that renewed health and strength will be his, and a bright and lengthy future in which to enjoy life.

Sergeant George Brigham, Dental Section, R.A.M.C., is now demobilised after having been with the forces since hostilities commenced. On joining up he took up duties as a dispatch rider, admittedly a dangerous occupation, yet George stuck it, placing many hair-breadth escapes to his credit, until finally the strain so told upon an otherwise robust constitution that his removal from the work became a necessity, and he was placed at his own profession in the dental section of the R.A.M.C., where he held the rank of senior sergeant, and had charge of one of the departments. Prior to enlistment he was an assistant with Mr R.R. Riddell, Surgeon Dentist, Quay Walls. We wish him good health and luck in the future.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 28 FEBRUARY 1919

01/03/2019 by Northumberland Archives

TWEEDMOUTH JOTTINGS

Another of our West End lads home for good is Seaman Gunner Thomas Binney, R.N.R. Being in the Naval Reserve he was called up on August, 1914, and has been most of the time in the neighbourhood of the Orkneys and Iceland. He worked from the “Kirkwall Base for 2½ years. He saw the German submarines futile attempts to break through the British Fleet, and had numerous adventurers while operating from that Base. His part has therefore been a noble one in defence of his country.

Seaman James Binney, a brother, was also a reserve man, and has an equally good record of service. His work during the war has been chiefly that of minesweeping, one of the most dangerous occupations known. On one occasion his boat was rammed and sunk, fortunately all hands were saved. Afterwards he was on a armed drifter working further south in 1918, and until demobilised.

LOCAL NEWS

The laying of the foundation-stone of Berwick Pier, on February 27th, 1810, was an occasion of great interest to the whole population of the north, the “Newcastle Daily Journal” reminds us. The various lodges of Freemasons from the neighbouring towns joined that of Berwick, and together with the County Magistrates and a large concourse of people,

marched from the Town Hall to the church. After service they proceeded, attended by a band of music, to lay the foundation-stone. The ceremony was honoured by discharges of cannon from the ramparts and the ships in the harbour, and afterwards the Lodge of St. George held a dinner party in the Town Hall.

The Queen’s Rooms have been a great centre of attraction this week, and the bookings for the Revue, “Hullo! Who Are You? have been excellent. The public have enjoyed the Revue which is brim full of fun, and the chorus singing as well as that of the principals in the catchy songs has been bright and tuneful. One of the great attractions was, of course the new Jazz Dance descriptions of which fill the papers, and which is all the rage at present. The four girls who executed this feat are certainly well versed in the art of graceful dancing.

Carter and King Jazz Orchestra in the early part of the twentieth century. American Jazz was the music that inspired the various types of dance of that period around the globe. Wikimedia Commons.

We are quite sure patrons will welcome a return of the Revue or others on similar lines. For next week the great attraction will be Charlie Chaplin in “Shoulder Arms” a film that has never yet been screened in Berwick. Mr T. Nicolls, ventriloquist is sure to thrill the audience with his clever impersonations. In the end of the week in addition to several good comedies the public will have an opportunity of seeing the sensational film entitled “The Failure”. Messrs Lindsay and McIndee are to be congratulated on their efforts to provide such pleasing performances at the Queen’s.

There has been a great scarcity of coal in Berwick during the last few days. The district is supplied from some eight collieries, but the supplies promised have not been forwarded, and on Tuesday Mr Turnbull went to Newcastle and interviewed Sir Johnston Wallace about getting further supplies from the south. He expresses himself satisfied with the result of his interview and has been promised a further supply of 25 per cent from the southern collieries.

The embargo on small quantities of coke has been released, and a good deal of coke has therefore been distributed to supplement the coal supply. The threat of a strike amongst the miners may have something to do with the scarcity, as country people have been drawing their full rations. If the strike does occur, there are no reserves in Bewick at present; but in view of the promise for further supplies from the south, the situation in a few days ought to be easier.

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

TUESDAY

Before T. M. Morrison, Esq.

Francis McDady, private, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, who was apprehended by the police at Berwick Station on Monday, was charged with being a deserter from his regiment in France.

He pleaded guilty. The Chief Constable said Private McDady had travelled up from London, and at Berwick Station it was found he had no ticket, and for this reason was handed over to the police. He had deserted from his unit in France in November last, and had been going about ever since.

P.C. Welsh said that at 3.15 on Monday afternoon he received a complaint from Berwick Station, and on proceeding there, defendant was handed over to him by the Stationmaster. The defendant admitted having travelled from London without a ticket. He also said that he had deserted on the 17th November, and from that time up till Sunday last, had wandered about in France. He had crossed by boat on Sunday to Folkestone, where he was apprehended as a deserter. He had, however, managed to escape, and reached London, where he boarded the train on which he travelled to Berwick. Defendant was remanded pending the arrival of an escort.

CHATTON

Mourning and gaiety have had their alternate reigns in the village this week. The funeral of R. Muckle was very largely attended, but the laying to his last rest of Private Carr, who, after suffering heavily as one of our brave defenders, came home only to die of influenza, attracted a very much larger gathering. There is little doubt that the gassing to which he was subjected on the battle front weakened the constitution of the noble young lad.

So far the sadness of the village; yet in these days very few live with the dead for long. First the Chillingham girls celebrated the return of their heroes with a dance at the Parish Hall, and then the young ladies of Chatton followed with a ball in honour of theirs. The days of the Canadians are numbered, and without the camps what will the ladies do?

The birds are making music and snowdrops and aconites are looking lovely. But in these racing days who is there to appreciate duly these signs of coming Spring? “O that men would therefore praise the Lord for His goodness, and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!”

+ More