War Medals

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 22 AUGUST 1919

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FASHIONABLE WEDDING AT NORHAM

MORLEY-CROSSMAN — GARTSIDE-TIPPINGE

The wedding was solemnised today (Thursday) in St. Cuthbert’s Church, Norham, between  Major F. L. Morley Crossman, D.S.O., and of the late L. M. Morley-Crossman and of Mrs Morley-Crossman, Cheswick House, and Miss Ruth Gartside-Tippings, daughter of Capt. V. Gartside-Tippings, and of Mrs Gartside-Tippings, Morris Hall, Norham.

Major Crossman is 31 years of age, and received his education at Wellington College, and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. In 1907 he was gazetted to the Royal Horse and R.F.A. He served during the war, was awarded the M.C. in 1915, and the D.S.O. in June this year, and has been mentioned several times in despatches. He received his present rank of Major in 1917.

Canon Roberson, vicar of Norham officiated, Mr Walker organist of the Church, presiding at the organ. Before the service, while the guests were assembling, the strains of soft music floated through the beautiful old Norham Church, which dates from the 12th century. The music, specially chosen by the bride was as follows:- “Song of Thanksgiving,” Josiah Booth; “Andante,” Wely; Impressions Du Soir,”H. Stiehl; “Andante,” Myles B. Forster; “Melody,” S. Coleridge-Taylor. During the service Psalm 67, and the hymns “Love Divine” and “O perfect Love” were sung, and at the conclusion of the ceremony the bridal party left the church to the strains of Mendelssehn’s Wedding March.

St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Norham © Copyright Andrew Curtis – Creative Commons Licence.

The Bride, who was given away by her father, Capt. V. Gartside-Tippinge, looked very beautiful in a robe of simple white satin, trimmed with lace, with train, falling from the shoulders, of chiffon draped with Carrickmacross lace (the gift of the bride’s Godmother, lady Francis G. Osborne, Ord House). She wore a tulle veil, held in place by a bandeau of pearls (the gift of Mrs Houstoun) and carried a bouquet of lilies and white heather.

She was attended by four bridesmaids, Miss Hunter, Miss Hycinth Hunter, Miss Cicely Gough (cousin of the bride), and Miss Sybil Younger, who wore dresses of yellow crepe-de-chine, draped with georgette of the same colour, shoes of silver, and hats of silver lace, and carried sprays of copper beech. Each wore a diamond initial letter mounted on a black moire wrislet, the gift of the bridegroom.

The bride’s train was borne by two pages, Master Hugh Houstoun and Peter Marrow, who were attired in white satin knee breeches, white silk shirts, yellow sashes, and white buckleshoes, each wearing a gold safety pin, the gift of the bride.

Major Ackerman, D.S.O., M.C., R.A., acted as groomsman, the duties of ushers being discharged by Major Sinclair Wemyes, Wedderburn; Capt. Blake, Tillmouth; and Mr J. Allenby.

The bride’s mother was dressed in black georgette over satin, with deep fringe and sash lined with petunia and embroidered in petunia and gold. She wore a black georgette hat with ostrich feather trimming.

There was a large and fashionable assembly of guest in Church, which was also crowded with spectators from the village and neighbourhood.

After the ceremony a reception was held at Morris Hall, the beautiful home of the bride, within sight of Norham’s historic Castle.

LOCAL NEWS

The following war trophies have been received by the Mayor, and will remain in store in the Town Hall until such time as a portion of the Museum can be arranged to form a War Trophies Section :- Anti-tank rifle, helmet, German wire cutter, Austrian entrenching tool, German water bottle, 18 German rifles, carbine, body armour, bayonet, Turkish bayonet.

Mrs Bell, Chapel Street, Berwick, has received word that her nephew, Air Mechanic Ballantyne, who stowed away on R.34 on the Atlantic trip, has now arrived back at the aerodrome, East Fortune. Up to the present the Air Force Authorities have inflicted no disciplinary punishment. Air Mechanic Ballantyne hopes soon to visit Berwick, which has always been a spot favoured by him when on leave.

WAR MEDALS

The British War Medal which had been granted to His Majesty’s Forces is to be granted also to the British, Dominion, Colonial and Indian Mercantile Marine.

WW1 British Mercantile Marine War Medal 

The Medal, in Silver, will be given to those who have served at sea for not less than six months between the 4th August, 1914, and 11th November, 1918, inclusive. A mercantile Marine War Medal is also to be granted to fishermen who can supply evidence of having served at sea on at least one voyage through a danger zone. The medal will be in bronze, and the riband will be in green and red arranged vertically, with a narrow white line between them. Applications for medals should be made to Mr Toohey, Customs Office, Berwick, for all those residing within the Port of Berwick.

CROOKHAM

We are sorry to hear of a very nasty accident which has befallen Mr Conquer, of Palinsburn Cottage, whilst working in Flodden Quarry, on Wednesday, 13th August. The injured man was at work along with his son John and another man on the top of the rock, when a small portion of the soil gave way and caught him in the breast, knocking him down and breaking his leg between the knee and thigh.

Flodden Quarry © Copyright Andrew Curtis – Creative Commons Licence.

He also received nasty injuries to the back, but happily no bones are broken there. Dr Badcock was soon on the spot and he was removed to his home. This is the first accident of any kind at the quarry, and it reflects great credit on the part of Mr Conquer, who has worked it for 18 years. He is now 68 years of age, and it will be some time before he is able to get about. However, we wish him a speedy recovery.

This Week in World War One, 4 October 1918

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 4 OCTOBER 1918

 

FETE DAY A THE BARRACKS

SPLENDID EFFORT ON BEHALF OF PRISONERS OF WAR FUND

 

It is quite a pleasure to visit Berwick Barracks now that the Medical Board does not insist upon “civies” showing off their good points in their birthday suits, and on Thursday afternoon the attractions offered at the Fete which had been organised were sufficient to repay all the discomfort suffered here under the Review of Exceptions Act. True there were the same old faces, the man who looked at your calling up notice, the man who sent you hunting upstairs for your medical history, the one who ushered you into the chamber of horrors, even the obliging clerk who made out your discharge and the gem of an officer who signed it, but they were all different and smiling serenely, looking as if it was a pleasure to welcome one, instead of a painful duty. Major McAlester, D.S.O., the popular C.O., was early about amongst his officers, men and helpers, and to the credit of all be it said that everything ran well up to the time table.

The afternoon, so far as weather was concerned, might have been better, there being a chilliness in the air, a factor which of course must be expected at this time of year. This in a way, we believe, affected the attendance somewhat, for there might well have been a much larger turnout for so deserving an object. A pleasing splash of colour was given to the grim old Barrack Square by the Guard, who were for the occasion in the red and tartan full dress uniform with Balmoral bonnets. It was quite a change to sea this after having become so used to the dull khaki, and the Mons ribbon on the breasts of some of these men showed that they had done their bit with the “Old Bills.”

WAR MEDALS AND RELICS EXHIBITON

In the Officers Mess in charge of Miss Bishop, assisted by Major Parkinson and Major McAlester, D.S.O., who described the exhibits, a fine collection of War Medals, Orders, and War Relics were on view. Amongst the medals shown were the V.C.’s awarded to C.S.M.’s Skinner and Grimbaldstone and Piper Laidlaw.

Piper Laidlaw’s medals on display at the National Museum of Scotland. © Author: Kernel Saunters – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License.

There were also on view Serbian Decorations, Belgian Croix de Guerre, French Crois de Guerre and Orders, Stars, and Decorations awarded to men of the K.O.S.B.’s in former wars.  Round the walls were hung the new, and also the battle torn colours of the various battalions of the Borderers, while the machine Guns of the 6th Battalion proved a centre of great interest. The war relics comprised practically everything which could be picked up on the battlefield or behind the lines, and there were many valuable and interesting curios in the collection.

In a Barrack Room, “Tommie’s Home” could be seen at the modest sum of twopence, clean and tidy, and laid out just as it would have been for a General’s Inspection. Many visited this side attraction during the afternoon, and the smart and trim appearance of the rooms were favourably commented upon.

 

WAR NEWS

 

SPECIALLY MENTIONED

 

We are pleased to record that Lieut. Commander Willits, R.N.R., son of Mr H. W. Willits, has been specially mentioned in Despatches for escort, convoy and patrol work. He was in Australia when war broke out and on coming home was given the command of one of H.M. Torpedo Boats. He is now in command of a Destroyer and has seen much service on the French and Belgian Coasts.

 

BERWICK NEWSAGENT KILLED IN ACTION

Private William Hay

 

It is with deep regret that we record the death in action of Private Wm. Hay, K.O.S.B., husband of Mrs Hay, newsagent, Church Street, and son of Mr William Hay, baker and merchant, Berwick. The first news of this sad occurrence was conveyed in a letter from a comrade and this was confirmed by the official notice which arrived later.

“Willie” hay, as he was familiarly called in the town was a favourite with all who knew him. A thorough business man he built up a most successful newsagent’s enterprise many years before the war, and practically we might say after he had left school. He found time, however, to indulge in sport, and in the position of goalkeeper assisted Berwick Rangers and other teams in medal competitions. A good sport and a friend all will be sorry to lose, he will be missed in the year which are to come.

He enlisted under the Derby Scheme and after being allowed a little time to make business arrangements, joined up in the K.O.S.B. With that regiment he served in the Eastern Theatre of war, and along with him for a time was Private Robt. Clark, who in civil life was a newsagent at Tweedmouth.

We are sure we voice the feelings of our readers when we extend our heartfelt sympathy to his widow, in her great sorrow, and to his father.

 

LOCAL NEWS

A postcard has been received by Mr Johnson, West End, Tweedmouth from his son, Private T.S. Johnson, King’s Own London Regiment, who is a prisoner at Stammlager, Germany, returning thanks to the Mayoress (Mrs Plenderleith) for having sent him a parcel of food and comforts. We are glad to learn that Private Johnson is keeping well and hope he soon will be clear of confinement.

Stammlager Prison, where Private T. S. Johnson, of the King’s Own London Regiment, was held as a prisoner in WW1. © Author: LutzBruno. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License.

 

In the town on leave after having been for a long time in hospital recovering from wounds, we observe Sergeant Lawrence Simmon of the Black Watch, enjoying a leave. He has seen considerable service on the western front during his military career, and as he has done his bit we rust it will be a long time yet, if ever, when he again returns to the front.

HORNCLIFFE

Mr John Christison, second son of Mr Alex. Christison, India, and grandson of the late Ald. H. L. Christison, J.P., of Berwick, has had an unfortunate experience. He was in a Linconshire regiment, and after being invalided out was proceeding to India to take up a position there when the boat upon which he was travelling was torpedoed 200 miles from land. Mr Christison has lost everything, and is now back at Horncliffe staying with his aunt, Miss Turner.