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Train

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 18TH FEBRUARY 1921

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BORDER TRAIN MYSTERY

Unidentified Young Lady’s Fatal Fall

WAVERLEY ROUTE EXPRESS HER MOVEMENTS PRIOR TO THE FATALITY TRACED

East Lothian, Berwickshire and Berwick police are making every endeavour to establish the identity of a young lady who met her death as a result of injuries received by falling from the 9.45 Edinburgh to Melrose express on the night of Monday 7th February, between Fushiebridge and Borthwick Bank, between Edinburgh and Galashiels. The attention of a signalman at Fountainhall was drawn to a door of a compartment n the express swinging open as the train passed, and the train passed, and the train being stopped a search was instituted along the line with the result that the lady was found lying on the embankment of the line suffering from severe injuries to the head. She was conveyed to the Cottage Hospital, Galashiels, where she died without regaining consciousness before midnight.

It was soon ascertained that she had booked at Waverley Station for Melrose, travelling 1st class, and the fact that she had no hat on attracted attention. No hat was found in the compartment or near the body after the accident, nor has the railway ticket been found or near the body.

The lady appeared to be about 24 years of age, and wore her hair bobbed. She was attired in a dark blue costume with brown shoes and stockings, and wore a gold wristlet watch. She had a light suede bag with her containing about £5 in money, a silver cigarette case, a photograph and a box of ointment which had been prepared by Mr Alex. Cairns, chemist, Berwick-on-Tweed. The police not being able to trace the lady’s relatives, the body was interred at Eastlands Cemetery, Galashiels.

MOVEMENTS PRIOR TO ACCIDENT TRACED IN BERWICK AND DUNS

Enquiries have established beyond doubt that the young woman arrived in Berwick and stayed at the King’s Arms Hotel on Saturday, the 5th February. She stayed overnight and signed the hotel register “Elizabeth Grey, Newcastle.” parties who saw her at the hotel noticed that she was a woman of some education who spoke in a refined voice with just a little north-country accent.

King’s Arms Hotel, Hide Hill, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Ref: BRO 0426-355

She seemed very quiet and reserved and it was noticed that her hat was a waterproof one which formed a detachable part of a shower-proof outfit which she carried over her arm. She went out into the town during the day and it was either at mid-day on Saturday or Sunday that she called at mr Cairn’s chemist shop in Castlegate and purchased the box of foot ointment which was later found on her body. The shop assistant is not sure of the exact time and day when she made the purchase, but this is not material.

So far as can be gathered the lady (or a lady answering the description) was seen near the station about one o’clock on Sunday, 6th February. Whether she had been ascertaining if a train was available to Duns has not been elicited, but the fact is established that she arrived in Duns about quarter past six on Sunday night tired and footsore, and told Mr Prentice of the White Swan Hotel that she was on a walking tour and intended to stay the night after having walked from Berwick.

Since the tragedy, Mr Prentice has identified the body as the lady who stayed at his hotel, signed the register “Elizabeth Guy, Newcastle” (but this no doubt was Elizabeth Grey), as the writing was not very clear). At half past ten on Monday morning the lady left the “Swan” and announced her intention of walking to Haddington. Here there is a break in the chain of evidence at hand at present, for it is certain she could not have reached the Waverley Station, Edinburgh, by 9 o’clock that night unless she had received a “lift” on the rod by some passing motorist. The police would be glad, if any motorist did give the lady a “lift”, to hear if any conversation passed which would throw light on her identity. Up to Monday enquiries made by the police in Northumberland and Durham failed to bring any clue to the lady’s home.

This Week in World War One, 10 December 1915

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Berwick Advertiser title 1915

 

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 10 DECEMBER 1915

 

WOOLER FREE GIFT SALE

 

The arrangements for the above sale, in aid of Red Cross and Relief Funds, to be held at Wooler Auction Mart, on Wednesday, 22nd Dec., are now well advanced. A very hearty response has been made to the appeal, and would be contributors are reminded that notice of their gifts should be forwarded to the secretary (Mr R. S. G. Thompson, Auction Offices, Glanton), not later than Saturday first, the 11th December, as inclusion in the catalogue cannot be guaranteed after the date. To the present time the contributions include 6 fat and store cattle, about 140 fat and store sheep, fat  and keeping pigs, a donkey, fat and stock poultry, dogs, potatoes, oats, feeding stuffs, sheep dip, seeds, farm implements and harness, and a large quantity of domestic and other useful articles. The catalogue, price 3d, can be had on application to the Secretary, or can be purchased on the day of the sale.

Red Cross Donkeys, Gallipoli 1915
Red Cross Donkeys, Gallipoli 1915

 

The sale will open by Mrs Burdon of Wooperton, and the Hon. F. W. Lambton of Fenton will be chairman. Present indications point to very successful sale, and the committee will be able to hand over a goodly sum, which will be supplemented by many handsome donations already advised, to the various worthy objects which they are supporting.

 

BERWICK GIRL ACCIDENTLY SHOT IN LEG BY A SENTRY ON THE OLD BRIDGE

 

An accident took place on the Old Bridge, Berwick, on Sunday night about 6.40 pm., Nora Loft, a young woman residing at 25 Ravensdown being badly wounded in the leg above the knee by a bullet from the rifle of a sentry.

Berwick upon Tweed, Old Bridge
The photograph above shows the Berwick end of the Berwick Bridge, where the accidental shooting of Miss Loft took place. © Berwick Record Office.

 

It appears that about 6.40 James Edward Allan, Post Office, Chatton, left the town in charge of a motor car by way of the Old Bridge, and upon reaching the sentry box on the top of  the rise was challenged by one of the sentries on duty there. Two men were upon duty, they being Private McLary and Private W. Fortin, and on Mr Allan’s car approaching, McLary challenged it and called upon them to halt. It is stated that the challenge was given three times, but the car failed to draw up, and McLary immediately the car had passed fired apparently with the intention of hitting the back tyre.

Berwick Infirmary and Dispensary (built 1840), as it would have looked when Miss Loft was taken there to have her gunshot wound treated in 1915. © Berwick Record Office.
Berwick Infirmary and Dispensary (built 1840), as it would have looked when Miss Loft was taken there to have her gunshot wound treated in 1915. © Berwick Record Office.

 

Miss Loft, who was on the footpath on the opposite side of the bridge, received the bullet in her leg about the knee the bone being broken by the force of impact. Assistance was at once rendered to the unfortunate young woman, and she was placed in the car and driven to the Infirmary by Mr Allan, and under the care of Sergeant McRobb, her wound receiving the attention of Dr C. L. Fraser upon arrival at the institution. We understand that Miss Loft’s condition has improved over night.

 

RESULT OF BERWICK SOLDIER’S OVER INDULGENCE

 

The Coroner has concluded his enquiry at York into the circumstances attending the  death of Mr Wm. Kelsey (35), of 14 Armstrong Avenue, Newcastle, managing director of the Hylton Forge, Sunderland, who died from a bullet wound received whilst travelling in the 2.20 pm East Coast express from King’s Cross to Edinburgh, between Doncaster and Selby. In connection with the occurrence the police detained Private J. D. Tait, 3rd Coldstream Guards whose home is at Berwick-on-Tweed, and who was returning from France on a few days leave. Tait is alleged to have fired the fatal shot whilst showing his rifle to the occupants of one compartment. The bullet passed through the rear partition and struck the deceased, who was in the next compartment, in the arm and chest, severing important arteries, and he died in the York County Hospital the same day. It appears that Tait was drunk, and had a bottle of whiskey which was frequently passed round on the journey. Tait ultimately got up, took his rifle from the rack, pulled the bolt back, and closed it again, and the weapon immediately went off. The bullet passed through the back of the compartment above the seat. The Coroner, Mr J R Wood, in summing up, said the only question in that regrettable occurrence was whether there was culpable negligence on the part of Tait. The jury found a verdict of “Death from misadventure”, the Foreman adding: As this is not the first case of this kind the jury are strongly of opinion that all ammunition should be taken from every soldier before leaving for home. They also desire to express their sympathy with the relative of Mr Kelsy. Mr Straker said the relatives of the deceased had already personally expressed their sympathy with Tait, in the sad position in which he was placed. The Coroner said he was very glad the jury had seen their way to take the view they had. All he would say to Tait was “Follow the example of your King.” Tait returned with the police to Selby where it is understood he will be discharged from custody.

 

RAPHAEL TUCK’S CHRISTMAS SPECIALITIES

 

Once more Messrs Tuck have issued a fine collection of highly artistic novelties, comprising a varied array of Christmas and New Year Cards, Christmas Autograph Stationery, Calendars, Gift Books, Toy Books for the children, Art Novelties and Christmas Postcards of every description.

A Christmas postcard showing a group of soldiers on the march in World War One. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
A Christmas postcard showing a group of soldiers on the march in World War One. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.

 

In face of the many difficulties with which the art printer is confronted at the present time, Messrs Tuck have made a most remarkable effort to upload the reputation which has been worthily won in seasons past. British art, British enterprise, and true British perseverance has resulted in a production of art novelties which equal if they do not excel the many lovely cards of former years. A special series of Patriotic Christmas Cards in keeping with the spirit of the times is also introduced, an important feature throughout the entire collection  being the appropriate greetings and wording suitable not only to the period of peace and goodwill but mindful in its chastened note of the sacrifices which this World’s War has entailed upon the Nation.