BERWICK ADVERTISER, 25 APRIL 1919

26/04/2019 by Northumberland Archives

D.C.M Award

R.S.M. Robert Swanston, 7th (Indian) Division, M.G. Corps, son of Mr and Mrs R. Swanston, Woolmarket, Berwick, has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry in the field, and has been mentioned in despatches. He was mobilised with the local territorials in 1914, and after training at Cambois was unable to proceed to France in 1915 with his regiment owing to an attack of pneumonia. He was very quickly promoted Sergeant, and later was transferred from the 7th N.F. to the Machine Gun Corps. He was in Dublin in an armoured car during the Rebellion in 1916.

In July, 1916, he was made Company Sergeant Major, and as such proceeded to Mesopotamia in charge of his corps. He has been through the whole of the campaign in Mesopotamia with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force under General Allenby from July, 1917, to October, 1918. After winning the D.C.M., he was promoted Regiment Sergeant Major.

No particulars are as yet to hand as to the deed for which he was awarded this high honour, but it must have been some specially brave action as his Company Officer was awarded the V.C. in the same engagement.

R.S.M. Swanston, who has not been home for over three years, enjoys the life out East. He is at present stationed at Tripoli, in the Syrian Hills, where he has been acting as demobilisation officer, and has passed well over 1000 men through his hands.

His father has also been with the Army in France, where he served for three years as a private with the Army Service Corps. He was demobilised this year, and has now returned to his work with Messes Elder and Sons, Castlegate, where his son also worked before the war.

LOCAL NEWS

Easter Monday was celebrated quietly in the town, and there was no excessive travelling, even on the Branch lines. Pic-nic parties round the locality had a good time, and the beach at Spittal, and at the Greens had its votaries.

Youngsters enjoy the pony rides at Spittal beach in this early 20th century image. Similar scenes would be seen on the beach on Easter Monday, 1919. BRO 1887-34-2.

On the Whitadder many anglers were out, but the younger generation of Waltonains saw to it that few likely holes in the river remained unwhipped. Towards evening large crowds were about the street, and the presentation to Lieut. Huffam, V.C. made a suitable ending to a perfect day. The weather was on its best behaviour, which is something to be thankful for nowadays.

We referred last week to the fact that premises in Love Lane, Berwick, had been taken over by a firm interested in the wool industry, and we are now in a position to state that the premises were acquired by Messrs J. Sanderson and Son, skin and wool merchants, Tweedmouth, on behalf of the “Border Counties” Wool Sales Limited,” a company in which Messrs H. Bell and Sons, Ltd., Hexham; Messrs Elliot Maetaggart and Co., Ltd., Mr Woodman, Gallowgate, Newcastle; and other firms are associated. A wool warehouse will be set up, and there will be periodical sales of wool by public auction. In view of the large fleece producing area covered, it is anticipated that a considerable business will be done, not without some advantage to the town and district.

QUEENS ROOMS

There have been splendid audiences at the Queens Rooms Theatre during the week where Royal Raceford the Britian American Wonder in his great magical production has been seen. This turn is well worthy of the “Queens” known record and the audience nightly shows its appreciation. There is also the all popular “Go as you please competition” where several local stars are doing their “stunts.” The final will take place on Friday, and none should miss it.

BELFORD AND DISTRICT

BELFORD

MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT

On Monday afternoon Mr James Johnson, Headmaster, Tomlinson’s School, Rothbury, leader of the Rothbury Fife and Drum band, visited Belford and gave selections of music, which were greatly appreciated by all who gathered round to listen to the gladdening strains. The artistes are all boys of Mr Johnson’s school, and great credit it due to him for the excellent way each one performed his part.

Mr Johnson is a native of Belford, and 50 years ago was a member of the Belford Fife and Drum band. Mr Dan Joyce is the only other surviving member of that famous band of fifty years ago.

A silver collection was taken to defray expenses, and any surplus was to be handed to the Blinded Soldiers’ Fund.

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!”

This Week in World War One, 15 June 1917

08/03/201816/06/2017 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 15 JUNE 1917

LOCAL NEWS

Berwick Lad Seriously Injured by Motor Tractor. – On Wednesday afternoon James Swan (18), apprentice motor mechanic, residing at 21 Wallace Green, Berwick, employed by the Berwick Garage Company, Hide Hill, met with serious injuries at the farm of East Ord, while working a motor tractor plough. The lad, who is presently employed by the Food Production Department, had been doing something to the machinery while in motion, when a portion of his coat, which was not buttoned, was caught, and he was dragged in among the wheels.

Engraving of Berwick Infirmary HB1-68 late 19th Century

He sustained severe injuries before the machine could be stopped, his left arm being broken at the elbow, while his head, which struck one of the large wheels, was cut open. Dr C. G. Maclagan was driven out by Mr H. E. Blackney, manager of the Berwick Garage, and attended to the lad’s injuries. Five stitches had to be inserted in the wound on the head. The lad was afterwards conveyed to the Berwick Infirmary, where he is progressing as well as can be expected.

Grammar School Rambling Club.- On Saturday, June 2^nd, a cycle run to St. Abbs took place; the party of nineteen went out by Burnmouth, Eyemouth and Coldingham, and after the ramble from the village were very kindly shown through the Lighthouse, a novel and interesting experience. After a visit to the “landing” and bathe, the return was by Ayton, the party reaching Berwick in the evening. On Saturday, June 9^th, a visit was paid to Holy Island, the party again numbering nineteen, going through the Priory and Church, then visiting the caves and sands on the north shore returning from the snook.

Fine weather and a merry party (including boys from Cornhill, Paxton, and Ancroft as well as from the Borough, and a master) made the excursion a most enjoyable one. The next outing will probably take place on June 23^rd.

Military Wedding at Berwick.- Yesterday afternoon an interesting military wedding was solemnised in Berwick Parish Church, the contracting parties being Miss Hilda Shield, daughter of Mr and Mrs Shield, Golden Square, and Second- Lieut. Ralph Hedley of the Machine Gun Corps, youngest son of the Ralph Hedley, North Shields.The best man was the bridegroom’s brother, Captain John Herbert Hedley, of the Lincolnshire Regiment, who is presently home on leave from France, while the bridesmaids were Miss Edith Hornsby of Durham, and Miss Dora Shields, sister of the bride.

Following the ceremony the brides’ parents held a reception in the Long Room of the Corn exchange when a large number of guests were entertained. The presents received were numerous and valuable, and included several cheques.

No Trip to Spittal this Year.- The annual meeting of Sunday School teachers connected with the various churches was held in the Session house of St. John’s U.F. Church, Kelso, on Wednesday evening at the close of the intercessory service. The minute of last meeting having been read and approved, the Chairman stated that the business before the meeting was to consider whether a picnic should be provided for the children this summer. The food restrictions which had been in operation until lately would have left them no choice in the mater, but Sunday School picnics were now permissible under certain conditions. After discussion it was unanimously agreed that it would be wise, in view of all the circumstances to have no picnic this summer.

Sunday School Scholars Kindly Gift.- An interesting ceremony took place at the Berwick Public Bowling Green on Tuesday evening, when two invalid chairs were handed over for the use of wounded soldiers frequenting the green. The chairs were the gift of the Sunday school children and teachers of Castlegate Baptist Church, and bore the following inscriptions :- “For the use of wounded Soldiers, from Castlegate Baptist Church Sunday school, with gratitude and good wishes.”

The Committee wish to make it known that wounded soldiers may play on the green, free of charge, and other soldiers at the reduced rate of 1d. The well-appointed green is also open to all who care to come and watch the play.

War Time Cookery.- It will be observed from our advertising columns that a public meeting is to be held in the Queen’s Rooms, Berwick, on Thursday evening, 21^st June, for the purpose of providing a course of lessons and demonstrations in war time cookery for women without payment of any fee. An address is to be given by Miss Howman, superintendent of domestic subjects under the Northumberland County Education Committee, and the Mayoress will preside to which all are cordially invited. He hour of meeting is 7pm.

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