TWEEDMOUTH HONOURS HER FALLEN SONS

IMPRESSIVE SERVICE AT WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILING CEREMONY

CAPT. THE HON. W. WATSON ARMSTRONG REMEMBERS HIS TWEEDMOUTH COMRADES

“COUNTRY NEEDS REMONDER OF THEIR DEVOTION TO DUTY.” SAYS COL.WRIGHT

Never perhaps in the history of Tweedmouth, stretching as it does away back into the dim past when it was a hamlet placed under the See [sic] of Durham, has such a gathering been seen as that which assembled round the memorial erected at the Bridge End to the 111 sons of Tweedside who risked their lives and counted not the cost in giving their all for humanity in the Great World War, 1914-18.

The day was bitterly cold, with a damp grey mist hanging over the river, through which the bastioned heights of Berwick loomed ghostly. Nevertheless, a gathering numbering several thousands assembled from all parts of the Borough and preserved a reverent silence prior to the opening of the proceedings. The arrangements made by the Committee were admirable. A large platform was erected on the side of the enclosure nearest the bridge to accommodate those taking part in the unveiling ceremony – the Mayor, Sheriff, and Corporation, the Committeemen, members of the Clergy, and other friends. Relatives of the fallen were lined up inside of the enclosure, while a guard of honour provided by the 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers paraded under the command of Capt. E. H. Crow and Lieut. J. H. Huffam was also on parade. The guard was lined up along the pavement, and their smartness when they came to the “present” was commented upon.

TWEEDMOUTH WAR MEMORIAL

[Dedicated to the Men whose Names appear.]

We cannot bring you home again,

Brave sons of fair Tweedside;

Nor can we see each battle plain,

Or view the ocean’s tide,

Wherein you lie wrapped in the shroud

Of clay, or waters deep,

Heroes of whom Tweedside is proud,

Proud, though at times we weep.

We cannot see each lonely grave,

Scattered inlands afar,

Some where the stately palm fronds wave,

Under the Eastern star,

Some where the Grecian vintage grows,

Under the deep blue sky,

Some where the frozen Alpine snows

Glisten on mountains high.

Some on the lonesome Russian plains,

Some where the Frenchmen died,

Some where the Belgians’ first campaigns

Held back the German tide,

Some where the oceans toss and roll,

Deep in their hidden gloom;

Over the Globe from Pole to Pole,

You’ll find the Tweedsider’s tomb.

We’ve carved your names on granite pile,

Sons of the Tweedside race,

Where the river dips in its last lone mile

Along to the sea’s embrace.

Your spirits live in the silent stone,

Graced by the sculptor’s art,

Nor can Time’s ruthless hand dethrone

Your names from one Tweedside heart.

THOMAS Grey, Tweedmouth

LOCAL NEWS

There is no truth in the rumour that the baths have been cut out of the Council houses which are to be put up at Tweedmouth, but the Treasury is in a very cheeseparing mood, and is doing all it can to bring down the cost of the houses by cutting out small extras. Those interested in the houses should therefore get the Councillors in their wards to keep a very close watch to see that the houses are not spoilt for the sake of a ha’porth of tar. Sir Francis Blake is pledged up to the hilt in the matter of housing, and his influence can be counted upon for the redressal of grievances.

CARTRIDGE CAUSES EXPLOSION IN BERWICK HOUSE

About mid-day on Saturday an explosion took place in the fireplace of a house in East Street, Berwick, occupied by Mr Wise, a gas worker, but this was happily not attended with serious consequences, though a little material damage was done.

Mr Wise and his little boy were in the room at the time, when without warning something exploded in the fireplace, causing the flames to fly out into the room and scattering fragments of burning coal and a cloud of soot into the room.

The little boy, who was near the fire, had his cheek slightly scorched by the heat. A table was also scorched, and burning fragments coming in contact with clothes hanging before the fire and also the window curtains, were set smoldering. Mr Wise was nearly overcome by the fumes when he got into the street after smothering out the minor fires.

Investigations conducted later showed the explosions to have been caused by a Mark V1 rifle cartridge (old pattern) which had somehow got mixed with the coal. The empty case was found in the grate.

BERWICK RANGERS FOR FINAL

Berwick Rangers intend to make a bid in the final of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, when they meet the Vale of Leithen on the Rovers’ ground at Peebles. Some dissatisfaction has been expressed in Berwick that the Association has seen fit to make the venue so far away from Berwick, necessitating the team to spend the greater part of the day travelling. When football is not in a flourishing condition exacting in the south of the Borders, it was also felt that a fitting scene for the final would have been at Coldstream or Duns, this being calculated to stimulate enthusiasm in the game there. The Rangers’ team, however, are making the journey in good heart, and are confident that they will make the Vale go all the way. The team is very much the same as that which has represented the club all season in important matches, with the exception that Fenby, the Spittal outside-right comes in once more in that position. A numbers of supporters will travel to Peebles by char-a-banc to give their team vocal backing. The rangers’ team is:-Edney; Buglass and Purves; R. D. Richardson, Walkenshaw, and Mealmaker; Fenby, Richardson, Falconer, A. Johnston, and Gilchrist. The team will travel by taxi to Peebles, leaving early in the day.

CONTRACT FOR NEW HOUSES PRACTICALLY ACCEPTED

The report of the Housing and Town Planning Council of the 16th October, with reference to the Tweedmouth Housing Scheme, was read as follows: — It was reported Messrs Stephen Easton, Ltd., had submitted the following prices on no.3 contract for 68 houses; — A type of house, £969; B type, £1,091 per house. The price being exclusive of nominal profit if constructed of brick, but if constructed on the Weardale Hoop Iron construction system, the price to include profit. The profit under the contract, if the houses are of brick, to be £40 per house, but if the work comes out at more than this cost, the contractor to be cut down until he may only receive a maximum profit of £20 per house. If, however, the work comes out at less than the estimated cost, the contractor to receive the £40 nominal profit plus 50 per cent of the saving. It was agreed to accept the tender, subject to the consent of the Ministry of Health and subject to the mayor and architect being satisfied with the houses. The houses to be of concrete, and consist of 42 A type and 26 B type.

The Mayor, in moving the adoption of the report, said the architect and himself had gone through and examined the construction of these houses. They say the system of construction, and as far as his own judgment and the judgment of the architect were concerned, they felt quite sure that houses constructed of reinforced concrete were more durable than brick, and a great advantage also to be gained was the saving in time of erection. The matter at the present time was before the Ministry of Finance, and the Housing Commissioner at Newcastle had expressed confidence that the contract would be passed. If it was passed they might expect to see the business of erection commenced within a few weeks, as the contractors undertook to erect the 68 houses within the 12 months. Councillor Dixon seconded, and the report was agreed to.

The Authority, on the motion of the mayor, seconded by Councillor Blench, agreed to seal two bonds for £50 and £250 respectively in connection with the Tweedmouth Housing Scheme.