Court

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 12 NOVEMBER 1915

MORE LIGHT

Mr Elder – It is now absolutely necessary to take some action to have more light in the streets of the town at night. There is a medium, but I must say we in Berwick are even far beyond the limit. It is a danger to go out at night now and I think it is high time we had more light.

Main Street, Spittal showing an early lamp standard - © Berwick Record Office BRO 1887-8-1 — Main Street, Spittal showing an early lamp standard – © Berwick Record Office BRO 1887-8-1

Mr Blench – Why should we in Berwick be darker than any other town? Not only need we more light on the streets but in the shop windows. In Newcastle, Edinburgh, and even Blyth, which is right on the sea, the shop windows are lighted. In Berwick the police have taken matters into their hands to put us into darkness, and I think they are going a little too far. On the suggestion of Mr Dixon the matter was referred to the Lighting Committee for consideration.

COURT-MARTIAL AT STOBS

A military court was held at Stobs on Wednesday at which there were tried the German prisoners of war Gustav Beblein and Alfred Joksch, who made their escape from Stobs Concentration Camp on 26th ult. The former was recaptured at Granton, and the latter at Leith Docks. The Court was composed of Major J.M/ Hunter, 2-4th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, president; and Captain W.F. Cochrane, 2-4th Battalion K.O.S.B., and Captain A.P. Oliver, 2-4^th K.O.S.B. The prosecutor was Lieutenant F.W. Hancock, and the interpreter Lieutenant H. W. Farrell. The decision of the Court will be given later.

Stobs military camp at Hawick (1903-1959) was used to train men for war. © Copyright Walter Baxter and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT TWEEDMOUTH

Pipe Manufactory Completely Gutted

About 2am on Wednesday morning fire broke out in the pipe manufactory of Mr R. T. Tait, at Tweedmouth, which caused the whole of the works to be completely gutted. The outbreak was first discovered by Miss Wood, a niece of Mr Tait’s who was wakened by the sparks blowing against her bedroom window. She immediately gave the alarm and the fire brigade was summoned. By this time the window frames and doors of Mr Tait’s dwelling house were ablaze, but with the assistance of his brother-in-law, Mr W. Trainer, they managed to prevent the flames from spreading in the house by the aid of chemical fire extinguishers. When the fire brigade arrived the flames had taken a good hold and the whole of the factory was blazing furiously.

Clay Pipes - © Author Simon Speed - Wikimedia Commons — Clay Pipes – © Author Simon Speed – Wikimedia Commons

Owing to the situation of the premises difficulty was first experienced in getting the engine into a suitable position to pour water on the burning buildings, and also owing to the fact that the horses refused to face the showers of sparks which were sweeping Main Street. With the strong gale fanning the flames it was impossible to quench the fire, and the main efforts were directed in preventing the conflagration spreading to the adjoining properties. This was the wisest course as the properties in this quarter are so congested that there was every possibility of the fire spreading to the properties in Kiln Hill and Main Street. On Tuesday the kiln had been working and it is thought that with the strong gale the fire had started from that part of the works. The factory comprises a warehouse, offices, finishing shop, packing shop, despatching room, moulding shop, clay house, drying house, engine house, with electrical plant and saw mill, all of which have burnt out, and only the walls remain, and even in some cases these have collapsed. So furious was the fire that even the sockets of the beams in the walls of the building were burnt clean away. As already stated, the office was amongst the rooms destroyed. This was a first storey room but the furniture and safe crashed through to the ground floor. The safe, which is fireproof, withstood the terrific heat well, but the papers within were quite brittle. The loss is put at £1,000 and is partly covered by insurance.

LOCAL NEWS

Harvest Thanksgiving at Norman Hall

On Sunday evening the Gospel temperance meeting at Norman Hall, Tweedmouth, took the form, of a choral harvest festival. The hall was artistically decorated for the occasion with a wealth of autumn bloom and the fruits of the soil and made a very effective picture. Mr John Anderson of “Tweedside” Lodge of Good Templars presided over the gathering, with Miss Stokoe at the piano. Succeeding the brief preliminary address from the chair appropriate to the occasion, the service was entirely musical, and comprised some choral numbers by an augmented choir and solos by Mrs Johnston, Miss Macdonald, Miss Davidson (Scremerston), Mr R. Elliot, Sergt. Clark and Sergt. Davidson of the Royal Scots, a duet by the Misses Davidson lending variety to a finely sustained programme. The Chairman, in the name of the Lodge, thanked all who had sent gifts of flowers, fruit and vegetables which the decorators had displayed to such excellent advantage and the contributors to the musical service. The festival concluded with “God Save the King.”

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Norman Hall, Tweedmouth please contact Berwick Record Office email: berwickarchives@woodhorn.org.uk

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 25TH JUNE 1915

A MAIDEN COURT

White Gloves to the Mayor

Flattering Reference to the Military.

On Thursday, at Berwick Petty Sessions, there was a unique little ceremony of presenting a pair of white gloves to the presiding Magistrate, the Mayor (Mr Thomas Wilson), to mark the gratifying fact that there were no cases for disposal. The other Magistrates on the bench were:- Captain F.M. Norman, R.N., Mr H. G. McCreath, Mr A. J. Dodds, Alderman Plenderleith, and Mr Thomas Purves.

The Clerk (Mr James Gray), addressing the Bench, said he was pleased to say that the inhabitants of the town were earning a reputation for law-abiding and keeping the peace. The terrors of the war had been brought home to its citizens during the last few weeks, and many of their gallant sons had laid down their lives in defence of the country. It was a pleasure to think that those remaining at home were so law-abiding, and had such a respect for law and order, and there were no cases before their Honours that morning. He had much pleasure, therefore, following the old custom, in asking his Worship to accept a pair of familiar white gloves in token of a maiden Court.

White Gloves presented to Mayor, 25 June 1915 — A pair of white gloves were given to the presiding officer at Berwick Petty Sessions in June 1915 as there were no cases for the court to to deal with.

His Worship the Mayor said that on behalf his brother Magistrates and himself he had much pleasure in saying how pleased they were to think that there was no business for the Court. He hoped it would continue, and that there would be many more occasions when no cases of crime would be reported. While the occurrence of such maiden Courts imposed a penalty on the Clerk in supplying the gloves, he was sure it was one which the Clerk was delighted to bear.

Chief Constable Nicholson said he desired to congratulate the Mayor in being presented with the white gloves, and he also wished to congratulate the Bench generally on the absence of crime in the Borough. There was practically no crime, and such a state of matters must be gratifying to their Honours as well as the officers of the various regiments quartered here, especially Colonel Pennyman and Colonel Peterkin. He was very glad to say that he had practically no trouble whatever with the men. This was specially gratifying when they remembered the hundreds of men who arrived and left the town week after week; they gave the men a hearty welcome when they came, and wished them God speed when they went away. He hoped the present state of matters would long continue.

The Court then rose.

Berwick Advertiser 25 June 1915 Renton & Co. Advert

BERWICK SECOND CONTINGENT OF WOUNDED SOLDIERS

ARRIVAL ON FRIDAY NIGHT

A special hospital train arrived in Berwick Station on Friday night about 9 o’clock containing 90 wounded men- this being 16 more than arrived with the first contingent in November. Colonel C.L. Fraser, Berwick, was informed early on Friday morning that the wounded would arrive at night and forthwith arrangements were made for their reception and the three hospitals were quickly got ready, viz- Bell Tower, Parochial Hall, and Berwick Infirmary. Dr C.L. Fraser was responsible for all the arrangements and he had the capable assistance of Mr W.J. Dixon. the transport officer was Colonel Peterkin, 2^nd/10^th Royal Scots, while accompanying him were many of the officers of the Royal Scots in charge of the stretcher-bearers, while Mr R.C. Clements, assisted by the Boy Scouts, saw that the wounded went to the hospital to which they had been allocated. As on the last occasion at the station the members of St. John’s Ambulance Association rendered invaluable assistance in carrying the wounded from the train, they being under the supervision of Mr Bate, the secretary of the local branch of St. John’s. There was an abundance of cars to convey the wounded to the hospitals and a large crowd assembled to witness the arrival. The wounded are more serious cases than on the last occasion, there being 41 stretcher cases against none on the last occasion. The hospital train left Southampton at ten o’clock on Friday morning and was therefore eleven hours on the road. An R.A.M.C. Private who is an attendant on the train informed an “Advertiser” representative that there were a number of “gassed” amongst the contingent, but they had all kept wonderfully cheerful during their long journey.

WOUNDED SOLDIERS

BELL TOWER HOSPITALS DONATIONS

Eggs– Mrs Craik, Low Greens; Mrs Ritson, Mrs Richardson, West Hope; A Friend, Miss Weatherhead, Miss Bridgewater, A Friend.

Fresh Butter-Miss Forbes, Miss Weatherhead.

Jam Puddings, etc.- Mrs Bald , Mrs Trotter, A Friend.

Jelly– Mrs Caverhill.

Scones, Cakes.- Captain Herriot, Mrs Purves, Mrs T.C.Smith, Miss Bridgins, Matron Hawick Hospital, Miss Roberts, Queen’s Nurse, Hawick. Mrs Hotham

Boiled Ham– Mr H.Taylor, pork butcher, High Street, Berwick.

Fruit, Flowers, and Vegetables– Mr Renton, High Street; Miss Alder, A Friend, Mr W. S.Dods, Mrs Roper, Mrs Comfort, Mrs Skelly, Mrs T.C. Smith, A Friend.

wwi-rations resized — World War One rations, 1915

Motor Drives– Mrs Campbell Renton, Capt. Herriot.

Chocolates– Capt. Mackay, Lieut. Wolfe, 2^nd Lieuts. Blair, D. F. McLaren Grant, 2/10^th Royal Scots.

Cigarettes, Smokes, etc– Miss Rita Blackney, Garage; Unionist Club, A Friend, Mrs Campbell Renton, Mrs Bell, Peelwalls; Masters Jack Grahame Stoddart.

Illustrated Papers, Books, etc– Miss Caverhill, Mrs Campbell Renton, Miss Purves, Mrs Gemmell, Mr H. R. Smail, Master Wright, butler at Mordington House, Mrs Kennedy, 23 Tweed Street; Mrs Scott, Mr A.Darling, Mrs Watson. Miss Dudgeon, A Friend.

Stationary– Mr H R Smail, Mr Martin, Victoria Buildings; Mrs Patterson.

Use of Marquee– Mr Renton, High Street.

Aerated Waters– Messrs Johnston and Darling.

Gramophone– Miss Herriot. Mr R R Riddell.

Records – 2^nd Lieutenant Robertson, 2/10^th Royal Scots.

Linen– Mrs Jackson.

This Week in World War One, 12 November 1915