This Week in World War One, 5th March 1915

Berwick Advertiser title 1915

5 MARCH 1915

Berwick’s New Station

The front of Berwick Railway Station
An early 20th Century postcard of the front of the railway station REF: BRO 17

The plans for the erection of Berwick’s station have now been passed by the directors of the North British Railway Company and work will be proceeded with shortly. It is understood that the cost will be between £30,000 and £40,000.

A feature of the scheme is an island platform between the up line and the down line. This will be 800 feet in length, and it will be reached from the booking hall (which will be about where the present booking office is) by means of a bridge: and there will also be an hydraulic luggage lift. The up line will be about where the present down line is, thus straightening out the present curve from the Royal Border Bridge. This scheme includes thoroughly up to date waiting rooms and offices.

The first portion of the scheme which will be executed is the new bridge carrying the Great North Road over the railway. This will be a little to the south of the present bridge which is the property of the Railway Company. Borings for the new bridge have already been made, and the work is to proceed forthwith.

Inside the Berwick trainshed
The train shed and platforms at Berwick before the works took place Ref: BRO 1636/10/013
Island Platform at Berwick Station
The Island platform, bridge and waiting rooms built following the 1915 proposals. © Copyright G Laird and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commission for Spittal Teacher

Mr John Martin Tate. BSc one of the assistant masters at Spittal Council School has been appointed to a Second Lieutenancy in the 10th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, and is to proceed at once to Stirling for preliminary training. Mr Tate who came to Spittal in September last is a native of Newcastle. He graduated at Durham University, where he served three years with the Officers Training Corps.

Spittal School
Spittal School in the early 20th Century. REF: BRO

POSTSCRIPT: The Spittal School log book records that Mr Tate, whilst serving as a Captain in the 18th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers, was killed in France on May 27th 1918. Does anyone have any more information about him?

 

Advert for Ford's Garage
Advert for Ford’s Garage, Hide Hill from the Berwick Advertiser 5th March 1915