First World War

This Week in World War One, 2 November 1917

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 2 NOVEMBER 1917

 

 

BELFORD LAD MAKES SUPREME SACRIFICE

 

 

We are deeply grieved to have to report that Sergt. Ernest Falla, third son of Mr and Mrs Thomas Falla, North Bank, Belford, has fallen at the post of duty in France. Prior to enlisting this young fellow was employed as footman with Mr Graham, Cartin, Carluke, Scotland, and had a most comfortable place, but his sense of duty to his King and Country was Treasurer, Mr J. Brand, Bank of Liverpool, call for help was given, so on September 3rd, 1914, he enlisted into the H.L.I., and soon after was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps and later to South African Infantry Brigade. On May the 10th, 1915, he sailed for France, and with the exception of one leave in January last has been doing his best to beat the Huns since that time. He won his stripes on the battlefield, and that is sufficient proof of the excellent way his duties have been performed. Ernest was a smart pleasant lad, and his loss is greatly mourned, and widespread sympathy is expressed for the bereaved relatives.

RECRUITING CHANGES

 

As has already been announced by the Minister of National Service, Great Britain will, for the purpose of recruiting, be divided into 10 regions, at the head of each there will be a civilian Director of Recruiting.

The Director for Scotland is Mr C.D. Murray, K.C., and his region will include the whole of Scotland, except the town of Berwick. Mr Murray is a well-known advocate at the Scottish Bar.

The Director for the counties of Northumberland, Cumberland, Durham, and Westmorland, with the Cleveland District of Yorkshire, and Berwick, is Mr D. H. L. Young, a member of the firm of Messrs James Templeton and Co., of Glasgow. He has had experience of administration of the Military Service Acts as a member of an appeal tribunal.

THE NEW CATEGORIES

According to an Army Council Instruction just issued by the War Office, it has been decided to abolish the distinction between categories B and C in the classification of men by categories. As to men fit for service overseas in categories lower than A, the Instruction points out that this will be provided for by special medical examination when the men are required to proceed abroad. The new classification comes into force on November 1.

Category A is for men fit for general service in any theatre of war, from the point of training, as well as good physical and mental condition, and who are able to stand active service work.

Category B will consist of those who are not fit for general service, but will do for home service. There are three sections in B (i.) men fit for field units (at home only) or garrison duty (ii.) in labour units, (iii.) sedentary work.

These are followed in the Instruction by category D for men who may be deemed temporarily unfit for service in categories A or B, but who are likely to become fit within six months.

Category E provides for those who are unfit for services in categories A or B, and who are not likely to become fit in six months.

Category B (iii.), it should be added, also comprises those who, if skilled tradesmen, are able to work at their trades.

Category D is temporary, so far as reserve units are concerned, and a man in a higher category will automatically come under D3, if under medical or dental treatment, rejoining his original category until transferred either upwards or downwards, as the case may be, by the medical officer or travelling medical board.

 

AGRICULTURE

 

WOMEN AND SCHOOL CHILDREN HELP

 

This year real service has been rendered in work of this class by school children, also women. Many of the rural school boards have risen well to the occasion this year in the way of granting leave. Farmers generally are grateful, not only for the assistance which they have got in this way, but also for the help which women and soldiers have rendered. Many increased their potato area this year to meet as far as possible national necessity, and it is not easy seeing how the crop could have been handled but for the extra help that has been obtained in this way.

 

 

LOCAL NEWS

 

The marriage which has been arranged between Lieut. Cecil Olcher Fedden, 22nd Punjabis attached to the Royal Flying Corps, eldest son of Mr F. Player Fedden, Glenthorpe, Barnet, and Miss Shena Lennox Fraser, eldest daughter of Colonel C. l. Fraser, V.D., Berwick, will take place quietly on Monday, 3rd December, in Berwick Parish Church. Lieut. Fedden has seen a good deal of active service, and fought on the Indian frontier in 1911 in the Abor expedition.

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

He was fourteen months in Mesopotamia at the beginning of the present war, being badly wounded at the battle of Ctesiphon. He made his escape out of Kut the day before it was besieged – 3rd December, 1915. Miss Fraser is well known for her good work in Berwick and district. She acted as Secretary for the Berwickshire Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Family Association and worked enthusiastically for the cause, while she also took an active interest in her work as a member of the local War Pensions Committee.

 

D.S.M. FOR HOLY ISLAND MAN

A.B. Robert Lilburn

 

We are pleased to announce that the Distinguished Service Medal has been awarded to Able Seaman Robert Lilburn, R.N.R., for bravery in saving the lives of the crew of a mined ship in December last. Seaman Lilburn, who is a Holy Island man, and a son of the late Mr James Lilburn, who was drowned many years ago at the Island under distressing circumstances when piloting a steamboat into the harbour, has seen two years’ service with the mine sweeping sections of the Fleet, and has been regularly at sea since then. In civil life he followed the calling of a fisherman. His many friends will heartily congratulate him upon the honour just awarded.

HOLY ISLAND

 

Gallant Lifeboatmen – A pleasing ceremony took place at Holy Island. Mr A. Logan, of Berwick, acting on behalf of the Swedish Government, presented handsome cups to Coxwain George Cromarty and Second Coxwain Thomas Kyle, and a sum of £2 to each of the crew of the Holy Island No.2 Lifeboat, for the rescue of the crew of the Swedish barque Jolani, in Nov. 1916.

An early photograph of the Holy Island lifeboat crew, pictured left to right are Tom Kyle, John Markwell, George Cromarty, Tom Stevenson and Robert Henderson. © Berwick Record Office, BRO 2421-018.

The rescue took place under exceptional difficulties, the wind blowing a gale from the east. The two coxswains expressed their thanks to Mr Logan, and through him to the Swedish Government, Mr Kyle declaring that all the members of the crew had done equally well. On the suggestion of Mr Logan a collection was taken for the Royal Lifeboat Institution, to which all responded heartily.

This Week in World War One, 19 October 1917

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 19 OCTOBER 1917

 

FROM TRENCHES TO HOMELAND

 

LOCAL LADS ON LEAVE FROM THE
BATTLEFRONT AND TRAINING CENTRES

 

Private Fred Laidlaw, Black Watch, Station Cottages, Tweedmouth, is presently home on a few days’ leave. Two of his brothers serving in the same regiment have fallen in the war.

Private George Skelly, R.F.A., Man Street, Tweedmouth, is home from France on a well earned leave. Before joining up he was employed by the G.P.O. on the Royal Mail van. His brother James is serving in the Northumberland Fusliers.

Another Tweedmouth lad home on leave from France is Private William Colthard, Dock Road. He joined the Northern Cyclists shortly after the outbreak of war. Private Colthard was employed by the Scremerston Colliery Company as a miner previous to enlisting.

British bicycle troops Brie, Somme March 1917 (c) Author: Ernest Brooks.

We are pleased to see home on leave, Private James Fairbairn, Black Watch. He resides at Falloden Terrace, Tweedmouth.

Corporal Harry Mason, K.O.S.B, is home on leave this week from France. He has come through some heavy fighting, and has been on active service practically since war began. He is looking hale and hearty despite having been wounded four times. He resides in West End, Tweedmouth. We wish him the best of luck.

Priv. Yourston, Main Street, Tweemouth, is among those home on a few days’ leave. He is in the Northumberland Fusiliers, and gained the D.C.M. about a year ago.

Delighted to see among us this week, Articifer Alexander Arnott, R.N., who is home for a few days’ leave from his strenuous duties. His parents reside in Blakewell Road, Tweedmouth. Previous to enlisting he was employed with Messrs Wm. Elder and Sons, implement makers, Berwick.

Private Joseph Clark, Tyneside Scottish, Parliament Close, Tweedmouth is home from France on leave. He joined the Northern Cyclists shortly after the outbreak of war. Previous to enlistment he was employed at Tweed Saw Mills.

May the best of luck attend Shoeing-Smith G.S. Lindsay, Royal Canadian Dragoons, who has been with us enjoying his well-earned ten days leave. Altogether he has been in France two and a half years. Good luck to this young fellow who is looking so healthy, and may he return all safe when peace is proclaimed.

Artificer G. Younger, Knowe Head, Tweedmouth is home on leave. Two of his brothers have fallen in the war. He was employed by the Scremerston Colliery Company as a miner.

Pleased to see Seaman Robert Havery, Berwick, home on leave for a few days, looking fit and well. He enlisted shortly after war broke out into the R.N.R. Previous to that he was employed by the N.E.R.

 

A NORHAM HERO

 

Private Wm. Burns of the K.O.S.B., son of Mr and Mrs Wm. Burns, Norham, has again been wounded, for the fifth time. He got his right leg blown off by the knee. He has been in France four times, suffering once from rheumatism in feet and legs, and got to Blighty for a time for arrest; his other wounds were not serious enough to send him home. He volunteered at the outbreak of war in August 1914. We wish him a speedy recovery.

British official photographs from the Western Front (c) Author: Ernest Brooks, National Library of Scotland. Source Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

 

LOCAL NEWS

 

“Lodon Opinion” for October 20th, gives us this extract from German Wireless :- “Whilst operating in the North Sea (no date given, one of our gallant submarines successfully attacked and dispersed a large cargo of monkey nuts” There is a full page picture of the Commanders of the submarine, one with his binoculars to his eyes surveying a sea of nuts extending almost as far as from Holy Island to Coldingham.

Probate of the will of the late Mr Henry Richardson Smail, proprietor of the “Berwick Advertiser” and “Berwickshire Advertiser” newspapers, Berwick-upon-Tweed, has been granted to his executors, Messrs Thomas Purves and Alexander Darling, of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and Mr Frank P. Hamilton, of Darlington. The Testator’s estate has been sworn at £16,192 13s 10d gross, and, subject to a gift of £500 to his sister, Miss E.F. Smail, passes to the Testator’s son, Major H.R. Smail, 7th Northumberland Fusiliers (T.F.).

 

BELFORD AND DISTRICT NEWS

BELFORD

 

The many friends in Belford of Private Wm. Hilton (Billy) will be grieved to learn that he is wounded and a prisoner in Germany. On Saturday last, Mr Sanderson, West Street, Belford, received a post card presumably from a chum of Billy’s informing him of the sad events. The postal address given on card is Geldrieben den, Strenlager Wake, Germany, and the unfortunate little boy’s number is 23396. We are taking the liberty of giving the full address as some charitably disposed person may be anxious to send him a parcel. He is a native of Leicester, but spent 9 months in Belford in Signalling Section of Northern Cyclists, and went to France three or four months ago, was transferred to R.O.Y.L.I. He was a great favourite with the lads of his Company as well as with many of the villagers. We tender our sympathy and wish he may have a quick recovery and early return to Blighty

 

 

This Week in World War One, 5 October 1917

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 5 OCTOBER 1917

 

WAR NEWS

BRAVERY OF A SPITTAL GUNNER

SEAMAN G. AINSLIE RECEIVES AWARD

FROM ADMIRALTY

GALLANT WORK IN MAGAZINE OF

BURNING SHIP

 

It gave us pleasure in January last to record the good work performed by Gunner Geo. Ainslie, R.N.V.R., Spittal, and we are sure our readers will join with us in congratulating him on his latest exploit, which is worthy of the traditions of the noble Service to which he belongs.

The gallant deed was performed in the magazine of a burning ship, and is described in the undernoted letters which have been received by his parents.

He writes under date of August 23rd, as follows. Seaman Ainslie is a born letter-writer, and we give his racy narrative practically as he wrote it:-

Dear Mother and Father and Sisters,

Just a few lines to let you know that we are leaving —– on Wednesday for —– in —–. I hope we go to —– to get taken off this ship – it is a dirty one. If Jane and Nellie goes to France I hope they will have a safe voyage across the English Channel. There was another ship on fire here last night, and it was a very big fire, and they all left the ship just the same as they left our ship. So me and my mate went over to it and tried our best. It was just starting to the magazine when I had to burst the door open, and we got over one hundred rounds of shell out of it. Another two minutes and the ship would have been blown up. I was there from 7 o’clock last night till 12 o’clock, and all the head men here took my name and ship’s address, and I gave them my home address as well, so if anything comes you know what to do with it; and all the head blokes come down this morning again and asked me everything about it, so I told them all, and they said they were going to write to the Admiralty about me saving the ship. The Admiralty has not decided about our ship yet, but when they hear about me again they will be quite pleased as well. I don’t know how I will come on this time, but if I do get to hear I will let you know as soon as I can. So I will draw my short letter to a close. With best love to all from your loving son, George. Good-night all. Write soon, you can tell them all —E—– and the Master – to this address.

 

A later communication dated Sept. 11th, 1917, says:-

Dear Mother and Father and Sisters,

Just a few lines to let you know that I have been rewarded £50 for saving the ship from being blown up. I am getting it on Friday morning, so I will let you know as soon as I get it, and I am getting a new suit of clothes as well, and I have to see the Admiral as well sometime next week. I was all day yesterday at the inquiry about the fire. The Commander sent for me twice yestered.(sic) He said that I had done very good work and I was risking my life to save the ship, he said, and I was at another inquiry to-day as well, and if I don’t come home I will send all the money to you and you can put it away for me. I hope I soon get leave; if so I will bring it home with me. So I will draw my short and sweet letter to a close.

From your ever-loving son,

GEORGE.

Few readers hear of the many brave actions performed by our sailors, and while actions worthy of the highest commendation are of daily occurrence, little is heard of them from the columns of our public prints. Amongst these acts of gallantry the deed of Gunner Ainslie ranks in the forefront.

Leading-Seaman Geo. Ainslie is a son of Mr and Mrs John Ainslie, 52 Middle Street, Spittal, and enlisted in the R.N.V.R. two years past in December, and has seen considerable service. Mr and Mrs Ainslie have two other sons, John and James, serving in the Navy.

Good luck to you, George, and more power to your elbow.

 

LOCAL NEWS

 

A march out of the Local Volunteers took place on Sunday last and there was a good turnout. We understand that the smart appearance of the men created a very favourable impression on several who watched the parade, and this it is hoped will produce several recruits. Twenty recruits have been obtained.

An inquest was held on Monday evening by Mr P. M. Henderson, Coroner, on the death of Alice Curry, aged three weeks, the infant daughter of William Curry, of 31 Chapel Street, Berwick. The child’s father, a private in the Scottish Rifles, identified the body. Margaret Hutchison Curry, the mother of the child, said that the baby was alive and in bed with her between three and four on Sunday morning. She had two other children, who were sleeping at the foot of the bed. About eight the same morning she found that the child was lying dead in her arms. The body was quite warm. She did not know what had caused its death, unless it had taken a fit. She had spent the previous day in the house, except that she went to see Father Smythe about the christening of the child. She put the other two children to bed on Saturday evening, and about eight went upstairs to talk with Mrs Houston, a neighbour, and stayed there till ten, having the infant with her all the time. She then returned to her own house and went to bed, being quite sober. Dr Fraser gave evidence that there were no marks of violence on the child, who had apparently died by suffocation, or accidental overlaying. P.C. Watt, who went to 31, Chapel Street at one o’clock on Sunday afternoon, on account of information received, said the mother then appeared to be in a sober condition, and competent to take charge of children. The Jury returned a verdict of natural causes, supervening on suffocation.

 

VEGETABLES FOR THE FLEET

 

Twenty-six hampers of fruit and vegetables have been despatched during September from the Berwick Branch of the Committee for providing vegetables for the Fleet. The following donors are thanked for their gifts of apples, pears, cauliflowers, cabbages, and cucumbers: – The Honble. Mrs Askew Robertson, Ladykirk; Mrs Carmichael, Rosybank; Miss Gilroy, Fair Mount; Miss Gray, Bankhill; Miss Leyland, Haggerston Castle; and Mrs Herriot, Sanson Seal. Vegetables are sent to Rosyth every Saturday and from there are distributed to various flotillas.

Hettie G. Hogarth, Acting Secy.

Photograph of the Rosyth Naval Dockyard taken in 1975. The dockyard is where vegetables from the Berwick Branch of the Committee for providing vegetables for the Fleet were delivered during WW1. © Copyright M J Richardson and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
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