War News

This Week in World War One, 14 December 1917

08/03/201815/12/2017 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 14 DECEMBER 1917

HAPPY REUNION ON BERWICK STATION PLATFORM

The committee delegates who each night meet the last north bound train at Berwick, and on behalf of laudable institution which provide meals for soldiers and sailors coming off a long train journey, looks after the men’s welfare, have many strange experiences.

On Wednesday evening when Mr Thos. Boal, Mr Abbott and Mr Geo. Dryden were on duty as the train came in two K.O.S.B. men were happily re-united after having enlisted, trained, fought, and became casualty together.

“As the first lad came off the train, “said Mr Boal, “a K.O.S.B. lad came along, and we asked where he was going.” “To the Barracks, “he answered. “Then you better have a bite of supper before you go.”

Berwick Railway Station early 1900s. © Berwick Record Office – BRO 1636-10-013

Just then a Northern Cyclist came along, and he also was offered and accepted hospitality. Two other lads came along, and on one of them catching sight of the first lad, shouted “Hullo, Tom, old man; fancy meeting you here.”

The company adjourned to partake of a short repast, and as they talked the conversation brought out that these two lads had known each other before they joined up, had trained, were sent to France- had been treated at the same dressing station.

“Where did you get your blighty?” asked Mr Boal. “We were about Ypres with the –th then.”

“My friend here has a son who was with you as an officer and was wounded there.”

“What’s the name?” asked both lads.

“Lieut. Abbott,” said Mr Boal.

“Abbott,” shouted both lads, “why, he was our platoon officer.”

Truly the world is a small place after all.

LOCAL NEWS

Amongst local Volunteers the Battalion Shoot which will likely take place on the miniature range at Berwick is creating a good deal of interest. Eight men will be selected from each platoon to shoot off and the best eight shots out of the thirty two competitors will be selected to represent the Company when the Battalion Shoot comes off. Now is the time for local marksmen to uphold the name of the Borough. Another competition coming off is one of efficiency. All platoons will compete, and the best platoon of the local Company will meet the best of other companies in the Battalion. The most efficient platoon of the Battalion will be then chosen to meet the best platoon of Battalions in the Northern Command.

WAR NEWS

BERWICK LAD WOUNDED

Private Albert Richardson

We are sorry to hear that Private Albert Richardson, K.O.S.B., son of Councillor Peter Richardson, Church Street, Berwick, has been wounded in action. He has already been wounded once. Enlisting in the early stages of 1916 he was trained at Duddingston and drafted to France. In civil life he was employed as a grocer.

BERWICK MAN KILLED

We are sorry to learn that Private Walter Robson, K.O.S.B., son of Mrs Robson, Church St., Berwick, has been killed in action. He enlisted in the early stages of the war and was only a short time ago on leave. In civil life he was employed as a slaughterman at the Shambles, Berwick. The deepest sympathy is felt for the family in their bereavement.

TWEEDMOUTH LAD KILLED

Private Robert Stokoe

We regret to announce that Mr Thos. Stokoe, 66 Shielfield Terrace, Tweedmouth, has received word that his second and remaining son, Private Robert Stokoe, East Lancs., has been killed in action on November 28th. What makes it all the more sad is that only three months have elapsed since his brother, Private Jas. Stokoe was killed. Both these lads were worthy pupils of Mr Peacock, Boys’ National School, Tweedmouth.

Private Robert Stokoe in civilian life was a traveller for William Redpath and Son, and was very popular with everyone he came in contact with in and around the Berwick district. He was three times rejected before Lord Derby’s scheme came out, and subsequently he joined up in the Northumberland Fusiliers, but after ten days’ training he was discharged. In February of this year he joined up wih the Royal Scots Fusiliers (Labour Battalion) with whom after four weeks training he proceeded to France. After nine months work at the front he was transferred first to the H.L.I., and then to the East Lancs., with whom he met his death. He was a brave, generous, loving, cheerful young man, one of the very best. His letters home were always cheerful, and he was always “sticking it” well. The greatest sympathy will be felt for Mr and Mrs Thos. Stokoe and family on this second sad bereavement.

This Week in World War One, 30 November 1917

08/03/201801/12/2017 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 30 NOVEMBER 1917

WAR NEWS

LOCAL LADS ON LEAVE FROM THE

BATTLEFRONT AND TRAINING CENTRES

James Burgon, Army veterinary Corps, horse-shoer, who resides with his parents at 29 Low Greens, Berwick, arrived home on Thursday morning, 29th November, on a fortnight’s leave. Suffering from a poisoned hand some folks have concluded that he has been wounded, but happily this is not the case. Private Burgon has seen three years’ service, and was a blacksmith with Messrs Caverhill. He is a son of Mr Alick Burgon, motor ferryman.

Lance-Corporal W. Macdonald, Australians, son of Mr Henry Macdonald, formerly a baker in Castlegate, and a well-known oarsman on the Tweed in his young days, broke his journey at Berwick on Wednesday to make a few calls upon old friends. He has just come out of Hospital, this being the 2 time he has been wounded. After being wounded on the last occasion he was for a time at a Hospital in France where Nurse K. Mackay, daughter of Surgeon Major W. B. Mackay, C. M. G., is ministering.

A team of the 2nd Field Ambulance inside a makeshift hospital during World War One. Photograph taken between 1917 and 1918 in France, by Henry Armytage Sanders. © National Library NZ (No known copyright restrictions). Wikimedia Commons.

He was there during the period when the Hospital was bombarded by hostile aircraft, and his one regret is that time did not permit of his calling upon the brave lady’s mother. Lance-Corporal Macdonald served for some years in the Royal Navy, and was one of the crew of H.M.S. Berwick, when the 5th Cruiser Squadron visited this port. He with the other members of the family had been some time in Australia when war broke out, and along with his brother Henry he came to the help of the Motherland. We wish him the best of luck for the future.

We are pleased to see Driver Dick Pringle home on his first leave, he has been 10 months in the army and he has enjoyed his holiday amongst his friends. He is a native of Tweedmouth. Prior to enlistment he was employed by Mr Scott, Branxton Allotments. Driver Pringle has had two brothers in the army, one being killed and the other in France in the Tank Corps. Driver Pringle has two brothers-in-laws serving also. Driver Pringle is the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Pringle, Murton, Berwick-on-Tweed.

LOCAL NEWS

A social evening was held in the Mitchell memorial Hall, on Tuesday evening, under the auspices of Mr M. Ross’s Bible Class, for the purpose of providing the funds to supply comforts to serving members. Mr Ross presided, and a number of the local clergy and social workers attended. An interesting programme was gone through and occasion was taken to present the prizes o those members who had attended regularly. During the evening a silver collection was taken as a result of which about £4 will be devoted to the object in view. A few friends generously sent in 130 pair of socks which are to be distributed to the 120 Class lads serving with the colours at home and abroad. The following were awarded prizes for having made the highest possible number of attendance:- A.D. Watt, James Lee, Charles Wright, James D. Wakenshaw, James Young, Thomas Piercy, Joseph Gray, James Walkenshaw, R. Smith, John Walkenshaw, and Wm. Tait. Those awarded prizes only having missed on one occasion were, George Young, G. Hunter, G. White, Arthur Paxton, Robert Stirling, S. Longbone, and Joseph Simpson.

Excellent and fascinating films are being shown at the Queen’s Rooms, Berwick, this week. The pictures are being exhibited clearly and steadily as is now a feature of the management. On Friday and Saturday first there is to be a stirring drama, the “Mystery of the Seven Chests,” and also “Rescued by Wireless,” showing the marvellous utility of Marconi’s invention. On Monday and Tuesday the film will be “The Queen’s Double,” and “Boy Scouts be Prepared.” The later film has been screened in all the leading picture halls, and should powerfully appeal to all our local boy scouts. A children’s matinee will take place on Saturday afternoon at 2.30.

MILITARY TRIBUNALS

CONDITION OF EXEMPTION NOT CARRIED OUT

The following men, who had been granted exemption on condition they became efficient Volunteers, and who had not done so, were then called before the Tribunal.

William Bell and William Swinney, employed as potmen at the Spittal Chemical Works, stated that when their work was finished they were so exhausted as sometimes to be hardly able to walk home. They were doing four men’s work, and it was work of a most ardous nature.

Taken later, a photograph of the Spittal Chemical Works where both William Bell and William Swinney worked in 1917. Both men were brought to a tribunal for failing to become efficient volunteers. © Berwick Record Office, BRO 1887-23-7.

The Military Representative – Do you know that in case of invasion you men would be sent into the country with the women and children, and men of 55 would be fighting to protect you? You are immensely better off than if we were sending you to France.

They were ordered to become efficient Volunteers, otherwise their exemption would be cancelled.

James Bryson stated he had joined the Volunteers, but Dr Fraser had ordered him to stop drilling at once. Adjourned for medical examination.

The case of Thomas Mark was adjourned to see if he was drilling regularly as a Volunteer before next Tribunal. The Military representative said that it was quite possible Mark would be in the army before next Tribunal as his exemption was really cancelled through the condition of exemption not being compiled with.

Norman Todd and William Unthank were also informed that if they did not join the Volunteers, and become efficient, their exemption would be cancelled.

WOOLER

The arrangements for the Free Gift Sale to be held in aid of the British Farmers Red Cross Fund are now well advanced.

British Red Cross Ambulance in French service, Northern France. © SMU Central University Libraries (No known copyright restrictions). Wikimedia Commons.

The Wooler Volunteer detachment were engaged in various exercises in the Drill Hall on Sunday morning. The detachment was inspected by Major Graham, O.C. of the Battalion, the previous day, when this officer expressed his pleasure at all he saw.

A Volunteer detachment is being formed under favourable conditions at Ford.

The weekly house-to-house collection in aid of the Wooler War Depot for the weeks Nov. 16th and 23rd realised £1 10s and £1 5s respectively.

It is reported that Corporal C. Carr, son of Mr Alex. Carr, Wooler, now in hospital, has been awarded the Military Medal.

The Volunteers are holding a whist drive and dance on Friday evening next in the Drill Hall in aid of the local War Workers’ Depot.

This Week in World War One, 5 October 1917

08/03/201806/10/2017 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 5 OCTOBER 1917

WAR NEWS

BRAVERY OF A SPITTAL GUNNER

SEAMAN G. AINSLIE RECEIVES AWARD

FROM ADMIRALTY

GALLANT WORK IN MAGAZINE OF

BURNING SHIP

It gave us pleasure in January last to record the good work performed by Gunner Geo. Ainslie, R.N.V.R., Spittal, and we are sure our readers will join with us in congratulating him on his latest exploit, which is worthy of the traditions of the noble Service to which he belongs.

The gallant deed was performed in the magazine of a burning ship, and is described in the undernoted letters which have been received by his parents.

He writes under date of August 23rd, as follows. Seaman Ainslie is a born letter-writer, and we give his racy narrative practically as he wrote it:-

Dear Mother and Father and Sisters,

Just a few lines to let you know that we are leaving —– on Wednesday for —– in —–. I hope we go to —– to get taken off this ship – it is a dirty one. If Jane and Nellie goes to France I hope they will have a safe voyage across the English Channel. There was another ship on fire here last night, and it was a very big fire, and they all left the ship just the same as they left our ship. So me and my mate went over to it and tried our best. It was just starting to the magazine when I had to burst the door open, and we got over one hundred rounds of shell out of it. Another two minutes and the ship would have been blown up. I was there from 7 o’clock last night till 12 o’clock, and all the head men here took my name and ship’s address, and I gave them my home address as well, so if anything comes you know what to do with it; and all the head blokes come down this morning again and asked me everything about it, so I told them all, and they said they were going to write to the Admiralty about me saving the ship. The Admiralty has not decided about our ship yet, but when they hear about me again they will be quite pleased as well. I don’t know how I will come on this time, but if I do get to hear I will let you know as soon as I can. So I will draw my short letter to a close. With best love to all from your loving son, George. Good-night all. Write soon, you can tell them all —E—– and the Master – to this address.

A later communication dated Sept. 11th, 1917, says:-

Dear Mother and Father and Sisters,

Just a few lines to let you know that I have been rewarded £50 for saving the ship from being blown up. I am getting it on Friday morning, so I will let you know as soon as I get it, and I am getting a new suit of clothes as well, and I have to see the Admiral as well sometime next week. I was all day yesterday at the inquiry about the fire. The Commander sent for me twice yestered.(sic) He said that I had done very good work and I was risking my life to save the ship, he said, and I was at another inquiry to-day as well, and if I don’t come home I will send all the money to you and you can put it away for me. I hope I soon get leave; if so I will bring it home with me. So I will draw my short and sweet letter to a close.

From your ever-loving son,

GEORGE.

Few readers hear of the many brave actions performed by our sailors, and while actions worthy of the highest commendation are of daily occurrence, little is heard of them from the columns of our public prints. Amongst these acts of gallantry the deed of Gunner Ainslie ranks in the forefront.

Leading-Seaman Geo. Ainslie is a son of Mr and Mrs John Ainslie, 52 Middle Street, Spittal, and enlisted in the R.N.V.R. two years past in December, and has seen considerable service. Mr and Mrs Ainslie have two other sons, John and James, serving in the Navy.

Good luck to you, George, and more power to your elbow.

LOCAL NEWS

A march out of the Local Volunteers took place on Sunday last and there was a good turnout. We understand that the smart appearance of the men created a very favourable impression on several who watched the parade, and this it is hoped will produce several recruits. Twenty recruits have been obtained.

An inquest was held on Monday evening by Mr P. M. Henderson, Coroner, on the death of Alice Curry, aged three weeks, the infant daughter of William Curry, of 31 Chapel Street, Berwick. The child’s father, a private in the Scottish Rifles, identified the body. Margaret Hutchison Curry, the mother of the child, said that the baby was alive and in bed with her between three and four on Sunday morning. She had two other children, who were sleeping at the foot of the bed. About eight the same morning she found that the child was lying dead in her arms. The body was quite warm. She did not know what had caused its death, unless it had taken a fit. She had spent the previous day in the house, except that she went to see Father Smythe about the christening of the child. She put the other two children to bed on Saturday evening, and about eight went upstairs to talk with Mrs Houston, a neighbour, and stayed there till ten, having the infant with her all the time. She then returned to her own house and went to bed, being quite sober. Dr Fraser gave evidence that there were no marks of violence on the child, who had apparently died by suffocation, or accidental overlaying. P.C. Watt, who went to 31, Chapel Street at one o’clock on Sunday afternoon, on account of information received, said the mother then appeared to be in a sober condition, and competent to take charge of children. The Jury returned a verdict of natural causes, supervening on suffocation.

VEGETABLES FOR THE FLEET

Twenty-six hampers of fruit and vegetables have been despatched during September from the Berwick Branch of the Committee for providing vegetables for the Fleet. The following donors are thanked for their gifts of apples, pears, cauliflowers, cabbages, and cucumbers: – The Honble. Mrs Askew Robertson, Ladykirk; Mrs Carmichael, Rosybank; Miss Gilroy, Fair Mount; Miss Gray, Bankhill; Miss Leyland, Haggerston Castle; and Mrs Herriot, Sanson Seal. Vegetables are sent to Rosyth every Saturday and from there are distributed to various flotillas.

Hettie G. Hogarth, Acting Secy.

Photograph of the Rosyth Naval Dockyard taken in 1975. The dockyard is where vegetables from the Berwick Branch of the Committee for providing vegetables for the Fleet were delivered during WW1. © Copyright M J Richardson and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

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