World War One

BERWICK NEWSPAPERS,1923

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BERWICK JOURNAL, 8TH NOVEMBER 1923

BERWICK WAR MEMORIAL

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE UNVEILING CEREMONY

War Memorial, Castlegate, Berwick-upon-Tweed. © Copyright J Thomas – (cropped image) Creative Commons Licence 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0).

Yesterday we received the following, (with the information that it is “issued to the Press by the Unveiling Committee of Berwick War Memorial, for favour of publication”)- the anniversary of the Armistice will be a red letter day in the history of the Borough, for at 2.30 that afternoon the ceremony of unveiling the Memorial raised to the 480 sons of the Borough, who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War, will commence.

BERWICK WAR MEMORIAL, REGISTRATION OF NAMES CIRCULAR:
Ref No: BRO 794/39/1/029

It is fortunate that the anniversary falls this year on a Sunday, for this means that the maximum number of inhabitants and others from further afield will be able to witness the ceremony, and also by their presence pay honour to our citizens who fell.

The Committee too have been extremely fortunate in securing the service of the victorious Commander of the British Expeditionary Force-Field Marshal Earl Haig, of Bemersyde,-to perform the unveiling ceremony. His Lordship has since his return from active service, been one of the busiest men in the country, and at this time the demands for his presence elsewhere must have been very insistent. But we are sure he feels it a privilege and a debt he owes to his late countrymen from this part of the Borderland, in whose countryside he has taken up residence, that he should accept the invitation. Certainly, the citizens of the Borough will look upon his presence on such an occasion as a great honour and a recognition of duty nobly done.

AT THE SITE

The unveiling Sub-Committee have been very busy during the last few weeks endeavouring to organise the ceremonial so that dignified in every way, and memorable to those taking part.

Since the garden plot in front of Polwarth House is not to taken into the lay-out the difficulties with regard to the space available have been accentuated and have given a good deal of worry to the members of the Committee. Invitations have been therefore had to be curtailed to a minimum.

There is likewise the difficulty of estimating how many ex-service men will parade-certainly there are sure to be many more than have so far sent in their names to the Legion Secretary.

Naturally the relatives of the fallen have been given the place of honour facing the Memorial, and those, who have written for seats to be reserved, will be present to the number of over 200.

Around the Memorial will be four of the nation’s defenders on guard throughout the ceremony, representing the Navy, Army, Air Force and Territorial Army. They will be in the position of “rest on your arms reversed” till the tablets are unveiled when they will present arms with the guards of honour.

There will be two guards of honour – by per mission of Major C. F. Kennedy, the Depot K.O.S.Borderers will furnish that to Lord Haig, and “D” Company, 7th Northumberland Fusiliers (T.A.), that at the Memorial (by permission of Lieut-Col. N. I. Wright, D.S.O.) the former will receive Lord Haig with the general salute at the Town Hall, and after he has inspected it, will march to the site and face West. The Borderers will be under Capt. R. H. W. Worsley, D.S.O.

The Territorials’ guard of honour will be under the command of Lieut. E. A. Mackay and like the 25th, will be two officers and 50 other ranks strong. It will proceed direct to the Memorial and will face East.

Relatives will be seated facing North and on each side of the garden railings will be the companies of the British Legion and Ex-service men and women in fours under Capt. R. H. Dodds, M.C. On the North side will be the Royal Naval Reserve under Capt. R. E. Carr, R.N., the Northumberland Fusiliers – and K.R.R.C/ (Church Lads’ Brigade) Cadets under cadet Capt. R. D. Harvey, and the Boy Scouts under Scoutmaster B. A. Parkes. In rear of them will be any additional companies of Ex-service men.

Within the railings of St. Mary’s Church will be accommodated the Band of the 1st Battn. K.O.S.Borderers, who are attending by kind permission of Lieut-Col. P. A. V. Stewart, C.B.E., D.S.O. Also, on specially constructed platforms inside the railings will be a choir of about 50 voices, organised by Dr. C.T. gauntlet, and members of the Press. All these bodies will be in position shortly after 2p.m. and relatives must take their seats by that hour.

UNVEILING OF BERWICK WAR MEMORIAL, Ref No: BRO 1555-01

Invited guests – Glergy, magistrates, members of the County and Town Councils, Guardians, etc. will assemble at the Town Hall at 1.45p.m., where they will be received by the Mayor and Sheriff. About 2 p.m. they will be joined by the Lord Lieutenant of the County, the Duke of Northumberland, who will preside, and Field Marshall Earl Haig and Countess Haig.

A procession in column of fours will be formed at the Town Hall at 2.10 p.m. under the direction od Capt. F. B. Cowen, M.C., and will move off at 2.15.

At the Memorial, which the procession will reach just prior to 2.30, the service will be conducted by the Revs S. E. R. Fenning, M.C., H. Maishaman, and W. Jardine, M.C., late Chaplains of the Forces, and Rev. R. W. Hey. Vicar of Berwick. On the call of the Duke of Northumberland, Lord Haig will deliver a short address, and will unveil the Memorial, the guards of honour presenting arms, and the Buglers of the K.O.S.B. sounding the “Last Post.”

THE SILENCE

This will be followed by one minute’s silent tribute, the period being indicated by a “G” sounded by a bugler, and another “G” at its termination. The Band of the 1st K.O.S.B. will next play eight bars of Chopin’s Marche Funebre, after which the memorial will be dedicated, the Mayor will accept its custody on behalf of the Town Council, the Vicar of Berwick will pronounce the Benediction, and a verse of the National Anthem will be sung.

The hymns selected are well known and appropriate, being “Oh God our help in ages past” and “For all the Saints.”

Relatives of the fallen, who desire to place floral tributes at the base of the memorial, will then be formed up and under the direction of stewards. The mayoress will lay the first wreath on behalf of the Borough, and Lord Haig will follow with a tribute from the Berwick Branch of the British Legion.

His Lordship will inspect the troops and Ex-service men, etc., prior to the civil procession returning to the Town Hall, where the Mayor and Mayoress will entertain the guests and members of public bodies to afternoon tea.

The Depot K.O.S.B. and British Legion will march off as soon as Lord Haig commences his inspection of the other troops. The Legion will await His Lordship in Sandgate, where he will inspect the members and headquarters.

Lieut-Col. W. B. Mackay, C.M.G., T.D., is to be in charge of the stewards, who will see to the seating of the relatives of the fallen choir, public bodies, invited guests, etc., also the placing of wreaths round the Memorial at the close. Major Smail has been appointed Director of Ceremonial at the site.

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS

Desiring to have complete silence during the speech of Lord Haig, and also to reserve the whole of Castlegate to those wishing to witness the ceremony, the Committee has arranged with Supt. Halliday to divert all North traffic up Tweed Street, and all going South via the Greenses, Brucegate and Scots Place between 1.30 and 4 p.m.

Motorists can go to any garage in the town, but cars cannot be parked in High Street or Castlegate between those hours. Those from the North car park in the vicinity of Northumberland Avenue, and those from the South on the Parade.

In case of accidents, the L. and N.E. Railway Ambulance Class from Berwick Station and the Queen’s Nurses will be on duty in the porch of St. Mary’s Church.

CHILDRENS’ CEREMONY

Weather permitting, it is hoped to hold a short service round the Memorial on Monday, 12th inst., commencing at 9.10 a.m., when the various schools of the Borough will be represented. The ceremonial pat will be conducted by clergy representing the various denominations. Programme (provisional) is as follows: – Hymn 185, “O Gid our Help,” 9.10 a.m.; short prayer; addresses, about 5 mins.; Kipling’s Recessional sung to tune of Hymn 380 (A. and M.); National Anthem (1st and 3rd verses); Benediction.

It is hoped to hold this on a similar ceremony round the Memorial near Armistice Day or school day nearest to Nov.11th.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 27TH OCTOBER 1921

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WOOLER’S FUR AND FEATHER SHOW

RECORD ENTRY-MANY LOCAL WINNERS

The promoters of the Wooler and District Fur and feather Show may be warmly congratulated on the success of their third annual Show, which was held in the Archbold Hall on Thursday last. Since the Society was inaugurated three years ago a number of shows have been held, but for entries and quality this Show surpassed all previous ones. This year it was confined to utility classes only, the exhibition classes being suspended. The Committee were fortunate in obtaining the services of Mr Powell-Owen, London, as judge in Poultry Classes, one of the best judges in the country. When his name appeared on the schedule sent out his was sufficient to bring a record entry. In the Bantam Class Mr G. Hall, Mindrum, was also an efficient judge. He was a wide experience I the poultry world and is an adept breeder of poultry, as those who have visited the poultry farm at Mindrum can testify.

Archbold Hall, Wooler Ref: BRO 426-1255

The large hall was filled with poultry, only space being left for the people to pass down, and the small room was used for the housing of the ducks. The Show, being an “open” one brought entries from all over the country, and it is pleasing to report that many of the local fanciers figured largely in the honours list. In the breeding pen class Mr W. Brown, Haugh Head, Wooler, lost the silver cup by one point, Mr Huntley, Hirsel, taking away this coveted prize. In this class two pullets and a cockerel constituted the pen. In each case the pullets were awarded equal points, but the decision was given to Mr Huntley as his cockerel gained one point more than the local. A very fine Wyandotte hen was on view belonging to Mr Wm. Harbin, Ashington, which was awarded first prize and four specials; also Mr G. F. bell, Mindrum, for a white leghorn cockerel was awarded first prize and three specials. Some of the classes were of such excellent quality that the judge awarded almost every bird a ticket. Mr Owen gave entire satisfaction throughout and had a most strenuous day. Starting his duties at 10am, he went on without a break until 4.10pm. Mr Hall also gave of his best as judge in the Bantam Class. It fell to a Woolerite to gain the special prize for the best bantam of the Show. This was with a white Wyandotte hen. Mr J. Wilkinson, Ashington Villa, Wooler, in the game cock or hen class, took first, second and third prizes with his well-known winning birds.

After the judging, Mr Owen, when asked his impressions on the Show, said: “It is one of the best I have attended of its class. The quality of the poultry was excellent, the white Leghorns and white Wyandottes being a very strong class. One of the special features of the Show was the ducks. It was evident they had not been handled much, as it was difficult to get them to stand up. Taking advantage of the ante-room, where they were shown. I took them out on the floor so as to get at their good qualities. I was quite pleased to see that, although produce had come from all over the country, the members’ poultry were much in evidence and to a very high standard.

In the evening Mr Owen gave a demonstration on a pen of five Rhode Island Red hens belonging to Mr G. bell, Mindrum, which had been awarded second position in the national laying list at Bentley, Suffolk. This test was open to all England. The total eggs laid by these five hens were 905 eggs for 48 weeks. It was explained, that, during the first two months, only 17 eggs were laid and 888 in 31 weeks, a record being kept on each hen during the test. Mr Owen demonstrated in in a most lucid manner, took each hen singly, and explained the merits and demerits of each of them. Many of the points he touched were invaluable to the large number of fanciers who were listening to the lecture. Out of the 905 eggs laid during the test only 75 eggs were second grade. After addressing the meeting for an hour, Mr Owen answered a number of questions asked him.

BERWICK SANITARY AUTHORITY

MEDICAL OFFICER’S REPORT

Dr P. W. Maclagan, medical Officer of health, in his report to 30th September, stated there has been little infectious disease in the Borough during the past quarter, one case of scarlet fever and four cases of diphtheria. Three cases of diphtheria occurred in Scremerston and were removed to Berwick Fever Hospital under the agreement with Norham and Islandshires. The Child Welfare Centre has been visited weekly and the attendance of mothers and children is well maintained. The question of the insanitary houses in the Borough on which Demolition Orders were served in 1914 has been reconsidered by the Public Health Committee. Some of them remain in habited and in view of the house shortage no action can be taken in the meantime. The others are to be dealt with. Water closets are being introduced in to several houses in Spittal and Tweedmouth, and as the cost of these improvements decreases this work should be carried out more freely in the future.

MOTOR CARS IN CASTLEGATE

The Mayor mentioned that the magistrates had recently been called upon to deal with a case of motor cars left standing in Castlegate. In that case the magistrates felt that it was an unpleasant duty to perform, for no one inside or outside the Council wished to do anything to prevent people coming into the town. At the same time the Magistrates had no other option but to administer the law. It had been suggested by the solicitor in the case that the magistrates might ask the Council to appoint a small committee to meet with a committee of the National Farmers’ Union and discuss the matter.

William Elder & Sons, 1904. Ref: BRO 1497-025

Councillor Campbell suggested that the committee might consider the removal of portion of the paved footpath and the cement block which marked the footpath near Messrs Elders’. This portion was where the police found difficulty when cars left standing encroached on that paved line, and he thought if necessary the committee might even consider the removal of the enclosed plot in front of Messrs Elders, so that an open space could be made and they could fall back on the old market character of the ground.

It was agreed that a committee consisting of Ald. Elder, Ald. Wilson, Councillor Darling and Councillor Campbell be appointed to meet with the Committee of the N.F.U. and report back to the Council.

War Memorial, Castlegate, Berwick-upon-Tweed. © Copyright J Thomas – (cropped image) Creative Commons Licence 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0).

The question of carrying through matters in connection with the War Memorial site was remitted to the Parks Committee with powers, and it was also agreed to grant permission for the temporary placing of a diagram barometer on the Scotsgate showing the position of the War Memorial Fund.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 14TH OCTOBER 1921

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HORNCLIFFE MEMORIAL HALL

OPENING CEREMONY

What may be termed as Horncliffe’s completion of her memorial schemes to her fallen sons was the opening of the Memorial Hall on Thursday. Favoured by delightful weather, there was a crowded attendance within the building when Mr Alec. Ritson, Thornton, declared it open in fitting terms.

There still remained a debt of £200 to be cleared off, however, and immediately after a sale of work, for which preparations have been going on for many months, followed. Business was very brisk during the afternoon, which augured well for the effort being successful.

Horncliffe War Memorial © Eric Musgrave (WMR-33471)

THE OPENING CEREMONY

Capt. F. C. H. Allenby, R. N., presided, and in calling upon Mr Thornton to declare the hut open, made fitting reference to those who had returned after enduring hardships for the sake of those at home. He mentioned that they had collected the sum of £583 to date for the Memorial and the Hut, and he hoped that at the end of the day they would be able to raise the greater part of the £200 to clear off the debt still standing on the building. They could not, he proceeded, have selected one more fitting than Mr Ritson to declare the Hall open. He was always willing to help and serve the community. He much regretted that he suffered from ill-health, but he had served his country to the best of his ability in the War. He knew he felt deeply he was unable to serve in the trenches. He remembered a service friend of his telling him that he wished all men would only do their duty in the sphere they were told off for, and Mr Ritson had always done his duty in his own sphere, rather than call on other people to do it. (Applause).

VISCOUNT GREY AT BERWICK

A LONG AND THOUGHTFUL SPEECH

For some weeks Berwick has been a centre of political interest, on account of Viscount Grey’s return to active politics in support of Mr Walter Runciman in his candidature for the Berwick-upon-Tweed Division, and on Monday night the Corn Exchange was filled with an audience drawn from all classes of opinion in the constituency. The daily and Sunday newspapers have been prophesying that Viscount Grey was to assume the leadership of the Independent Liberals, and again that he was to announce an alliance with Lord Robert Cecil. Neither of these things came off. The meeting was arranged in support of Mr Runciman, and the main thing that came out of Viscount Grey’s speech was that he was in entire sympathy with the Independent Liberals and Mr Runciman. Whether he will be able to remain in the background time will show. There was a large gathering on the platform, and the list we give of those present will also be interesting for its omission of some who have been prominent Liberals in the past, but who are not at the moment “Independents.” In addition to the two prominent speakers there were: – Mr. R. C. Bosanquet, president of the Berwick-upon-Tweed Liberal Association ( in the chair) and Mrs Bosanquet; Mrs Runciman; Sir Walter and Lady Runciman; Mr G. W. Hindmarsh, chairman of the Executive; Ald. T. Wilson. J. P.; Messrs Gerald France, M.P.; Wm. Macdonald, Rock; Rutherford, Seahouses; A. Mitchie, Alnwick; J. Clark, Belford; the Rev. C. L. Stowe, Berwick; D. Elliot, Belford; Mrs Richardson, Berwick; Messrs R. Boston, Spittal; J. Boston, Spittal; Ald. P. Boston, Spittal; W. Nelson, Lowick; J. H. Culley, Kirknewton; T. L. McAndrews, Amble; Miss Boston, Spittal; Messrs F. R. Padley, Wooler; J. Seals, Berwick; A. Younger, Allerdean; Councillor Dudgeon, Berwick; T. Elder, Berwick; Ald. J. Elder, Berwick; Miss Hume, Alnwick; Messrs H. Dowsett, Northern Liberal Federation; D. Elliot, Alnwick; C. Hindmarsh, Alnwick; H. W. Willits, Berwick; J. Cleghorn, Wooler; F. Hindmarsh, Alnwick; J. B. Beveridge, Tweedmouth; T. Morrison, Berwick; J. J. Simmen, Berwick; lady Robson; Miss Gregson, secretary Women’s Liberal Association; Mr W. A. Edwards, secretary Berwick Divisional Liberal Association, and Mrs Edwards; Mr J. Macnab, Beal.

Image from the Berwick Advertiser 4 December 1858, opening of the newly erected Corn Exchange, Berwick-upon-Tweed.

When the party filed onto the platform, amid cheers, there was a pause for a flashlight photograph, and then Mr Bosanquet welcomed Viscount Grey on his return to the constituency from which he had been taken during the war, assuring him that their love and pride and confidence in him were unabated. A rapturous welcome greeted Viscount Grey when he rose. There was a marked improvement in his appearance since he last spoke in Berwick at the War Memorial Meeting. He was more vigorous in his gestures, and had much less difficulty in referring to his notes, which were brief. At one point he was speaking with uplifted arm, and there was another disturbing flash from the camera, which should never have been allowed. We give below a full report of the speech. There was no lack of ability in the Government, he said, but great ability was combined with extreme instability of policy, which had shaken the confidence of people both at home and abroad. We saw it in their treatment of Russia, Mesopotamia, the French Government and the Labour Party, with whom they had played fast and loose over Nationalisation. His most important remarks were on Ireland, and it is a pity that they were not made months ago. We should clear our minds, he said, of sentiment and gush and face the facts of the situation, instead of pretending to be generous after our policy of reprisals had failed. His only reservation to admitting Ireland as a full partner to Dominion partnership was that the naval defence of both islands should be under one naval authority. His last topic was unemployment, and the only permanent remedy in his opinion was good trade. Nationalisation was not the remedy but labour should have its share in the management of industry- an important admission. The speech was well received. There was silence while Lord Grey spoke of nationalisation, loud applause when he said that time had shown the South Africans that in negotiating with them we had been speaking in good faith and that what we had promised had come true. References to Mr Gladstone and Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman were also cheered. Indeed one felt that at the back of Viscount’s Grey’s mind was the thought of what a difference it would have made if Home Rule had been accepted, as it was first offered by the great leaders he had a served under.

TWEEDMOUTH RATEPAYERS’ MEETING

In the absence of Alderman Elder, Councillor Brewis presided over a large and orderly meeting of Tweedmouth ratepayers in the Mitchell memorial Hall on Wednesday night. Supporting him were Councillor Watt, Mr T. Douglas, Mr D. Watson, Mr Eales, and Mr Bradford. Apologies were sent by Councillor Lockhart and Mr Trainer.

Councillor Brewis, in his opening address, touched on various topics. With regards to the Glasgow Steel Company he thought the non-Freemen were wrong in commencing their activities when the negotiations with the Council were at a critical stage. He thought it was only when the Company saw that the Freemen and non-Freemen could not agree among themselves that they decided to go elsewhere. He could assure any industrial company that wanted to establish themselves in their neighbourhood that Tweedmouth could supply them with a site and equal railway facilities.

The opening of the housing scheme on Monday was a great event for Tweedmouth. The cost to Tweedmouth was a penny in the pound, and the income taxpayers in the country found the rest. They welcomed the new residents. Unfortunately they would not see the whole scheme carried out; in fact, full consent had not yet been obtained for the present addition of twenty-four.

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