First World War

This Week in World War One, 9 August 1918

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 9 AUGUST 1918

 

FOOTBALLS FOR THE 7TH

 

The following letter has been received from Major Smail at the Front thanking Miss Cowen and Miss Herriot for the footballs for which they have collected subscriptions. We also publish a list of subscriptions; others are promised and the list is still open.

Friday, 2nd August, 1918.

Dear Miss Cowen and Miss Herriot, The footballs you so kindly raised subscriptions for duly arrived on Monday. They just arrived in the nick of time as most of ours were on their last legs, having been repaired several times. I kept one for my Company and sent the other three up to Battalions Headquarters for distribution to the other Companies. The C.O. (Lieut. Col. Liddell, M.C.) is much delighted that Berwick has remembered its own Battalion again. He told me on my return to the Battalion that the Guild of Aid was one of the few organisations in North Northumberland which seemed to remember the existence of the battalion. If, as I hope, you will keep this effort going, we will be more than ever indebted to the inhabitants of the old place. You have no idea how much pleasure the lads out here get out of a football. Besides pleasure it is good for their physical fitness.

Be sure you convey adequately to the subscribers our warmest thanks for their generosity. We are much indebted to you for undertaking the Secretarial duties. I am awfully glad you took the hint I gave you in this matter and so promptly too. I know lots of people would like to do something for the men out here, but have not much idea of what to send them. They can take it from me that they cannot do better than support your next appeal for funds.- Yours sincerely, H . R. SMAIL, Major.

 

NURSE KATE BISHOP RECIEVES

ROYAL RED CROSS DECORATION

Nurse Kate Bishop, daughter of Mr John Bishop, hon, Curator, Berwick Museum attended a Buckingham Palace on Wednesday week, when an investiture was held by His Majesty the King. The King in pinning on the decoration of the Royal Red Cross, warmly commended Miss Bishop on her bravery in the French hospitals, which were in May and June bombed by hostile air craft, and trusted she would long be spared to wear it.

Miss Bishop received her education at the Girls’ High School, and later went to Darlington Training College. She was keenly interested in V.A.D. work and found time to take this up while engaged as a school teacher at Bedlington. Fully qualified as a V.A.D. sister she offered her services some three years ago, and was almost immediately sent to France. At one of the large hospitals, known to every soldier who has come down from the “line” with a “Blightly,” her experiences have been of a varied character.

During the time she has been in France she has assisted in the nursing of many local soldiers and officers. After having endured the ordeal of repeated attack by cowardly air pilots and bombers, during which time the nurses and wounded were often compelled at night time to seek shelter in dug-outs in proximity to the Hospital, Miss Bishop was allowed a respite from her duties. She has spent most of the time in her native town of Berwick, where she has received the hearty congratulations and good wishes of a large circle of friends.

We trust Nurse Bishop will have an enjoyable time in Old Berwick, and that she will have many years of life after the war is over in which to wear her decoration.

 

LOCAL NEWS

Lord Armstrong suggests organised wild fruit picking by tame pickers, such as members of the Guild of War Agricultural Helpers, Boy Scouts and school children under control, and ask landowners to allow such pickers access to their hedges.

Volunteers in Section A, B, and C, if certified by the officer commanding their unit as being engaged whole time on agricultural work, may be relieved from attending half the prescribed number of drills during July, August, and Sept.

The Tweed salmon net fishing has again been very poor, and the only thing which can effect an improvement is a good spate. The sooner this comes the better, as the season is getting on. Fish continue to sell at the controlled figure, 3s per lb.

A leek planting competition took place at the Garden of Meadow House, Tweedmouth, on Wednesday last, the event being watched with considerable interest, Mr T. Steel, Berwick, was the prize-winner, planting 1800 leeks per hour, and the runner up was Mr Henderby, Spring Gardens, who put in 1600 in the same time.

The August Holiday was celebrated fairly quietly in the town, the restrictions on railway and motor travelling having had their effect. A goodly number however found their way to Mordington, where a Red Cross Fete afforded numerous and varied attractions. Others spent the day at the seaside, while a fairly representative crowd from Berwick, Tweedmouth and Spittal sought an afternoon’s relaxation in peaceful Norham and picturesque Horncliffe.

Horncliffe Mill © Berwick Record Office – BRO 426 1121.

In the afternoon those about High Street were kept in fits of laughter for a time by the realistic antics of a Red Cross performer from Mordington, who on his “fiery steed” cantered about soliciting donations to the Red Cross Funds. Much amusement was caused when the “steed” slashed out in lifelike manner at those who did not contribute.

 

SCREMERSTON

A war memorial service was held at Scremerston Church on Sunday. There was a good attendance of members and others. The officers and men of the Volunteer Battalion at Seahouses were also present. The sermon was preached by the Rev. E. L. Owen, Vicar of St. Andrew’s Newcastle, in the absence of Mr Lightfoot, owing to illness.

Home for a few days is Private Bert Roberts, Duke of Wellingtons, Town, Farm. This young lad has been twice wounded and has another brother serving.

Pleased to see home on a well-earned leave Capt. J. E. Carr, of Heatherytops, who has come from the Italian theatre of operations. He is looking remarkably well in spite of the arduous campaigning he has gone through since taking his commission. Captain Carr received his commission in the early stages of the war, and has served in France. We trust he will have a very pleasant holiday.

Sec. Lieut. Jas. Jobling, R.N., who formerly was joint tenant with his brother of Scremerston Town Farm, is home on a well-earned leave. He is serving in one of H.M. Submarines, but looks as fresh as the proverbial daisy. We trust he will have a good time before returning to duty.

WW1 British E-class submarine HMS E3, sunk on 18 October 1914. This highlights the dangers Sec. Lieut. Jas. Jobling from Scremerston, who served as a submariner in 1918 faced along with his fellow comrades in WW1. © No known copyright.

 

BELFORD DISTRICT

INTERESTING PROCESSION

Sunday being the anniversary of Britain’s entry in to the war, services befitting the occasion were held in St. Mary’s Church, Belford. In the morning the Church was crowded. This was owing to the great procession which marched from the billets in High Street and took its place in the pews set a set apart for it. First in the procession were a detachment of the L.V.R. at present quartered in the village. Next came the Land Army, then the members of the V.A.D. behind were the Girl Guides, then the Boy Scouts, and after them were the Comrades of The Great War, and members of the Rechabites brought up the rear. The Vicar preached an interesting and impressive sermon from 1st Peter, 5th chapter, 10th verse. Hymns appropriate to the occasion were sung.

This Week in World War One, 26 July 1918

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 26 JULY 1918

 

COMRADES OF THE GREAT WAR

 

At a general meeting of the Berwick Post of the Comrades of the Great War it was reported that no fewer than 117 pension cases had been dealt with during the last fortnight, 15 successes being achieved in each week. Thirty-eight applications for employment had been placed in situations. Since last meeting the membership had increased by 47, making a total of 85 members to date. It was resolved to inaugurate a Shilling Fund to provide soldiers’ gifts to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the war. A collection taken in the hall realised £1. A dozen names were handed in of those willing to act as volunteers during War Charities Week. The Committee of the Navy and Army Recreation Rooms have kindly offered the use of the Rooms to all Comrades and ex-service men. Headquarters recommend that Sunday, 4th August, should be observed as Comrades’ Sunday by means of Church parades, decoration of war shrines, etc. It was thought that a Church parade would be the most fitting ceremony, but it was decided to postpone the matter until after meeting in Council Chamber. A Women’s Committee is to be formed for the Berwick district, and all who may wish to associate themselves with this are invited to communicate with the local Secretary.

 

LOCAL NEWS

Nurse Katie Mackay, daughter of Dr and Mrs Mackay, Castlegate, Berwick, is home on a well-earned leave from France, where for some years she has been engaged in a large hospital not far behind the lines. She suffered from indifferent health some time ago, but we are glad to report that she appears now to have recovered. We trust Miss Mackay will have a pleasant holiday.

The Dome Hospital [Brighton 1915], showing some of the 689 beds in the whole hospital. These beautiful seaside palaces were converted into hospitals for Indian troops, and were fitted with every modern convenience. © HMSO – Copyright expired.
Berwick’s Waste Paper Week is now in full swing and judging of the enthusiasm my [sic] the convener, Mrs Alex. Steven, Stecarven, and her willing helpers the event should prove an unbounded success. Funds raised will go to swell the general fund of War Charities Week, which will be held later. Mr Tait, Hide Hill, has kindly placed a depot at the disposal of the local section and from Tuesday, when the week opened, Boy Scouts, under the supervision of Mr Peter Learmouth, Berwick, called round the various areas with horse and van to take up the consignments of jars, bottles and waste paper. Valuable help has also been given by Mr Willits, Ravensdowne. Already a goodly sum is assured and no less than 200 jam jars have been sold to Mr Henderby, market gardener. As the Waste Paper Week does not end until July 30th it is hoped all who have waste paper, etc., lying about will notify the Ladies Committee on duty at the Depot, Hide Hill, when arrangements will be made to have the consignments collected.

 

BERWICK AVIATOR ESCAPES FROM GERMANY

 

Second Lieut. Robert Grechan Carr. Royal Air Force, son of Mr Robert Carr, of the Elms, Berwick, who was taken prisoner by the enemy on June 21 when over the German lines, has escaped and re-joined the unit. He received his education at Mill Hill School, and was gazetted a year ago on his eighteenth birthday.

A WW1 Martinsyde Elephant Type G100 fighter aircraft pictured in 1917. © Copyright expired

 

TWEEDMOUTH JOTTINGS

 

Pleased to see home on hospital leave, Priv. William Walkenshaw, Royal Scots, West End, Tweedmouth. This young lad has been in the Army twelve years, and has served for over eight years in India and Egypt. His Battalion came from Egypt to France in the winter of 1914, and he took part in some of the severe battles in the early stages of the War. After some months in France he was wounded, and was then invalided home to England. After being in this country for some months, and on being declared fit, he was sent back to France. He was again wounded, rather severely this time, and was sent  to hospital at Armstrong’s College, Newcastle. We are pleased to say he is improving, and trust that he will have an enjoyable holiday in his native place.

Mrs Makins, Blakewell Road, Tweedmouth, has received official information that her son, Lance-Corporal Stanley Makins, N.F., who was reported missing some months ago, is now presumed to have been killed. He joined the 7th N.F. about three years ago, and after doing a few months’ training in this country went out to France. He was there for some months when he was wounded, and after being invalided home to this country and being certified fit again he was once more sent out to France. He took part in the most of the engagements that his battalion was engaged in. Other two brothers are serving in France. Their late father, Mr Makins, was a prominent member of the old Berwick Volunteer Artillery, and was for many years Q.M. Sergeant. We extend to Mrs Makins our sincere sympathy in this, their sad bereavement.

We are pleased to learn that C.S.M. Albert Lamb of the Canadians, and son of Mrs Lamb, Church Road, Tweedmouth, has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for valuable services rendered on the field of battle.

© Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.

We congratulate him on this noteworthy achievement. In his younger days he was a seafaring man, and has gone through the whole routine of the merchant service. Latterly he has been in Canada, and it was from there he joined the colours. He has seen much service in France, and his rank and decoration prove him be a soldier of some distinction. Good luck to him.

 

TWEEDMOUTH FEAST

 

Now practically shorn of all its former glory, Tweedmouth Feast comes and goes without occasioning more than a passing reference. This year there were few stalls round the stance at West End, while a small round about tried its best to create a little of the gala spirit. The spirit, however was dead-dead as last year’s rhubarb, and it was only the younger generation, and a few visitors, who participated in the amusement offered.

The Volunteer Sports in the afternoon drew together a large crowd, and reminded one somewhat of old times.

Many people from the Tyneside and munition centres spent their Feast quietly in their native place and remarks were frequently made that the “good old times,” or as some would call them, the “bad old times,” were gone never to return.

A band performance at Spittal on the Sunday had to be abandoned owing to inclement weather.

The appointment of Food Controllers, who have fixed the price of salmon out of the reach of the average working man, caused in many cases, this succulent item of fare to be absent from the table, in contrast to former years, when no spread was complete without it.

 

SPITTAL NOTES

 

Many of the Spittal people will remember Willie Lamb, who emigrated to Canada a few years ago. This week we have him enjoying a few days leave with his uncle and aunt, Mr and Mrs Jobson, St. Helens Terrace, Spittal, before he proceeds to the front. He joined up before he was 18, and has lately been training with the Canadians in the South of England. He looks a hardy type of soldier and will, we are sure, give a good account of himself when he gets into action against Fritz.

 

 

 

 

This Week in World War One, 12 July 1918

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 12 JULY 1918

 

WAR NEWS

 

Good News of Berwick Officer

SEC.LIEUT.ROBT. G. CARR, R.A.F.

A PRISONER

News has been received by Mr and Mrs Robert Carr, The Elms, Berwick, that their eldest son, Second Lieut. Robert Greenhan Carr, R.A.F., posted missing on 21st June, 1918, is a prisoner of war in Germany and is well. The news has come as a great relief to the family.

Second Lieut.Carr received his education at Barnard Castle and Mill Hill Schools, and at the latter place was a member of the Officers Training Corps. He took his commission on his 18th birthday, and after only two weeks service in France, he was posted missing.

FORMER LOWICK SOLDIER MISSING

Private Peter Renwick.

We regret to hear that Private Peter Renwick, Northumberland Fusiliers, eldest son of Mr Gordon Renwick and Mrs Renwick, 152 Pont Street, Hirst, Ashington, has been posted missing on the 27th May. Prior to settling down at Hirst the family resided in Lowick.

WITH THE N.F.FOOTBALL TEAM IN

FRANCE

The football team of the local battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers has had a series of engagements lately. Within the last three weeks they have played seven matches, winning six and drawing one. In one of these matches won the opposition were particularly strong, three of the players (including Percy Dawson of Hearts of Midlothian and Blackburn Rovers fame) being well-known in first class football.

We understand the team has not won the Divisional Football Competition on two occasions, as previously reported. On one occasion only they reached the Final, when they were extremely unlucky to lose by odd goal in three.

BERWICK SERGEANT PRESUMED KILLED

Sergeant John Cleghorn.

Information has been received by Mrs Cleghorn, that her husband, Sergeant John Cleghorn, Northumberland Fusiliers, posted missing on the 16th August, 1917, must now be presumed to have been killed on or since that date.

Sergt. Clegorn, who was the son-in-law of Coxswain and Mrs Jamieson, Low Greens, had the splendid record of six years’ service in India, and later at the Dardenelles. He was wounded whilst serving in France in 1915, and on his recovery was sent out to Serbia. Prior to joining the army he was employed as a carter with Messrs Gray, builders, Berwick.

 

LOCAL NEWS

Ration books are now being distributed and come into use in Berwick on the 18th, when the current coupon cards are exhausted. Should anyone fail to receive this book by the end of the week, he should apply to the Local Food Committee, who can issue emergency cards for one week.

Arrangements are being made to send footballs to the 7th N.F. at the front, and it is hoped to send four footballs a quarter. The first four are already an order. Subscriptions will be gratefully received by Miss Mollie Cowen or Miss Jean Herriot.

On Saturday the Mayor and Mayoress received in the Council Chambers of the Townhall, gifts of silver on the occasion of the Silver Wedding of the King and Queen. There was a display of bunting outside the hall entrance and flowers also were introduced in the scheme of decoration.

Early 1900s photograph of Marygate, Berwick-upon-Tweed. Berwick Record Office, BRO 1636-3-16

The mayor was present during the day, wearing his chain of office and there was also in attendance the acting Town Clerk and Mr Clements. The gifts were of a varied description including antique bracelets, ornaments, fruit dishes and medallions, but the majority of the gifts were in sealed envelopes and packages. Numerous envelopes containing coin of the Realm were handed in.

A continuance of the Musketry Camp in connection with the training and instruction of the Berwick and district Volunteers took place last weekend. Contingents were present from Rothbury, Rock and Rennington under Capt. Gibson Smith and Lieut. Howie from Rothbury, while the instructional staff was the same as last week. Recruits fired in the morning, and efficients mostly from Berwick Company in the afternoon. Recruits were passed out for drill by Lieuts. Anderson and Mills. Capt. Ridley was in charge of the musketry. The ladies of the V.A.D. again very kindly gave their services in the cooking, this being superintended by Nurse Commandant Anthony, Berwick. On Tuesday night the men of the Hotchkiss Machine Gun section fired their course, when it is very pleasing to report that out of the ten men in the team nine passed first class, and the other one also was found to be efficient. On Saturday the Belford Company visit Berwick to be put through their firing and drill exercises.

 

© Imperial War Museum.

NORHAM

Mrs Wm. Askew, Ladykirk, the organiser for the Norham and Ladykirk district National Egg Collection for our wounded soldiers and sailors, has had sent to London, 1138 eggs collected during the months of April, May and June. Towards this number Norham contributed 108, Ladykirk 276, Swinton 365, and Simprim 389. Although eggs are dear, yet our wounded soldiers and sailors should receive a little consideration, especially from the keepers of poultry. Eggs form the principal diet of many of our wounded lads, and there is an earnest appeal for more every day from the hospitals both abroad and at home. Will those who are able do their best to answer that appeal. Eggs may be sent any Tuesday afternoon to the War Hospital Supply Depot, the Old School, Norham, which is a collecting station for the Norham District. Contributions will also be thankfully received from those unable to send eggs.

 

TWEEDMOUTH JOTTINGS

Private Grierson Wilson of the Canadians is home to Main Street, Tweedmouth, on four days’ leave. He is a son of Mrs and the late Mr John Wilson, sculptor, Tweedmouth, and emigrated to Canada some 11 years ago. His life since arriving in Toronto, has not been a bed of roses, and he is not afraid to tell the reason why. Much of his latter time has been spent in the service of the Canadian Pacific Steamship lines, trading principally between Canadian Ports, and Japan, China, and Russia. His story is worth listening to. He enlisted some three months ago into the Canadians, and is now training in the South of England. Pte. Safford Wilson of the Australians, his brother, made the supreme sacrifice in France some time ago, a young man of exceptional character and abilities. Another brother at home, William, went through the Boer War, and is now on a two months exemption, before joining up again. He at present carries on the sculptor’s business of his deceased father.

 

 

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