BERWICK ADVERTISER, 19 NOVEMBER 1915

BERWICK’S OLDEST DOCTOR DIES

The Late Dr Daniel Heagerty

We regret to record the death, after a short illness, which occurred on Sunday, of Dr Daniel Heagerty, M.D., Medical Officer of Health for the Borough of Berwick-on-Tweed. The deceased was a native of Passage West, County Cork, Ireland, and was 76 years of age. The late Doctor was registered as a medical practitioner on May 30th, 1867, and was a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians (Edinburgh, 1867), and also a Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh, 1867). For some time deceased practised in Prudhoe, and also in Bellingham. He came to Berwick 35 years ago when he purchased the practice and house of the late Dr Davidson at Tweedmouth, and five years later he succeeded the late Dr Fluker as medical officer to the Borough and also to Berwick Board of Guardians. Dr Heagerty in politics was a Unionist, and was one of the original Directors of Berwick Unionist Club. He was also an old official of Berwick Bowling Club, and a member of St. David’s Lodge of Freemasons, Berwick.

The late Doctor was married twice, and of the first marriage there were two sons and a daughter, Maude, who is married. The eldest son served his apprenticeship with Mr W. Carr, chemist in the shop now occupied by Mr N.M. Craig in High Street. *The other son was apprenticed to Mr Jas. Stevenson, architect, Berwick, but afterwards went on to the stage. Of the second marriage there is one son, who is at present serving with the Northern Cyclist.

The Doctor was known to a wide circle of friends and his sudden removal has come with surprise and regret. We are sure the sympathy of our many readers will be extended to the relatives in their sad bereavement.

*The other son mentioned in the article above, was Travers John Heagerty, born in Prudhoe, Northumberland, on the 5th of March, 1874.  Travers took the stage name Henry Travers, and went on to become a highly successful actor, making his Broadway debut in 1901.  He died in Hollywood, California, on the 18th October, 1965, aged 91.

BILLIARDS

 Match at Etal

An interesting billiard match was played at Etal on November 6th, when the wounded Tommies quartered at the Manor there played a returned match with Milfield. As will be seen from the appended list of scores, the soldiers showed that they could play billiards as well as fight. The game opened by a very closely contested trial of strength between Private Evans and Mr Wilkinson, in which the latter proved victorious only by 6. The next game resulted in a win by Private Squires over Mr Stothart by 30 points, but the Milfieldonians were far from being disheartened, seeing that their champion, P.C. Hurst, on whom their hopes they fixed, had yet his turn to come. He played next, having as opponent Private Neal. The latter proved much his superior, and the gallant policeman was only able to add a paltry 32 points as against a 100 to the soldiers’ scores. After this the Tommies had not much fear as to the result, for Private Swinburn met Mr Steel in the next game ended in another victory for the Tommies by 44 points. Then came Corporal Walker, who easily beat Mr Waugh by a majority of 54, and the last of all was played by Private Haldane and Mr Brown, in which the victors’ man proved a little successful and won by 14 points. The final scores were:-

Soldiers, 580; Milfieldonians, 404

After the game the visitors were entertained to tae by their victors, thanks to the kindness at the Manor Hospital of the Commandant, Miss Grey.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Heroic Lifeboat Rescue at Berwick

Sir – I wish through the medium of your columns to make public the deep sense of gratitude the crew of the Lifeboat feel towards their comrades of Spittal who so gallantly came to their assistance last Wednesday morning. Four or five times had the Lifeboat tried to make the harbour, both under sails and oars, and each time was she washed out by the spate on to the Bar. The men were spent with fatigue, cold and wet to the skin, and had little strength left. When the ferry boat was seen to leave Spittal, a last effort was made, this time under double banked oars, to get closer to the pier.

The Spittal men laid their plans with skill and acted with daring that one could only admire and inwardly applaud. They were determined to get a line to the Lifeboat at the risk of their lives, and they did it. All honour to them! I have reported their brave conduct to the proper quarters, and do not doubt they will be suitably rewarded. The names of the men who were in the ferry boat are as follows: – Prideaux Emery, John Patterson, Barty Lough, Robert Laidlaw, John Wilks (“Laffan”), and Thomas Johnston. On the Pier, Johnston Crombie and William Emery,- Believe me, yours truly,

C.L. FRASER, Hon. Sec.

DANGERS OF BERWICK’S UNFENCED WALLS

A Fatal Fall at Cattle Market

Borough Coroner Wm. Weatherhead and a jury held an inquest on Friday afternoon in the Board Room of the Workhouse, Berwick, concerning the circumstances attending the death of Gordon Kenward, District Valuer of the Inland Revenue, Berwick.

Nelson Kenward of Waldron, Sussex, farmer, whose deposition was taken at the deceased’s house identified the body as that of his son, aged 30 years.

Leonard Purdoe, of Berwick-on-Tweed, surveyor, said he knew deceased well, and left his house with him on Sunday, 31st October, about 8.30pm. They went down the street, and he left him nearly opposite the Red Lion Hotel about 8.40.

James Alexander Miller, insurance inspector, said he saw deceased in the Red Lion on the Sunday night mentioned. They both left the hotel about 9.25pm. Deceased said good night to witness in the High Street and proceeded homewards. That was in the archway of the Red Lion. Deceased then went up the High Street. There was no mud on his clothes then.

Robert Renton, N.B. Railway goods checker, deponed that he was proceeding home about ten o’clock on the Sunday night mentioned. As he was passing the Cattle Market his eye caught something lying inside the market grounds about twenty feet from the gate and below the Ramparts. He went for the Police and P.C. Crombie returned with him to the spot. Crombie climbed over the railing, and it was discovered it was a man that was on the ground. The ambulance was summoned by a man named Marshall, and witness proceeded to get the key of the gate, Crombie remaining beside the body.

Police Constable Walter Crombie said the last witness came for him about 10.15pm at the top of West Street. From what he told him he (witness) went to the Cattle Market, climbed over the railing, and found Kenward about 18 feet from the gate. He was lying on his right hand side about four or five feet from the wall. He was bleeding from a wound above the left eye, and one on the right side of the head. The deceased got up on his feet and walked with his assistance to a sand bin. Before that witness had sent for the ambulance and the key for the gate of the Market. The ambulance removed the deceased home. Deceased’s clothes were covered with mud. When witness returned to the Market he found near to where deceased was discovered two handfuls of grass and moss.

By the Jury – Deceased asked witness where he was. Witness told him asking how he got there,. Deceased replied “I don’t know.” He wanted to walk home but could not do so.

Dr Taylor, Berwick, deponed that he saw the deceased between 1 and 2 on the morning of 1st November. He found a wound below the left jaw, another on the left eyelid, and a large excariation on the left cheek. There was a small wound on the right side of the scalp. He was partially conscious, and next day lapsed into complete unconsciousness, never regaining consciousness. Death occurred on Thursday, 11th inst., in the afternoon. The cause of death was, in witness’ opinion, severe concussion of the brain, arising from the injuries sustained through the fall.

A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned.