wounded soldiers Archives - Northumberland Archives

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 23rd JULY 1915

GRAND DISPLAY AT SPITTAL COUNCIL SCHOOL

WOUNDED SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED

The Headmaster of Spittal Council School (Mr T. W. G. Borthwick) has received the following letter, signed by 54 wounded soldiers who were entertained by the scholars and members of the staff a week ago:-

Improvised Hospitals,

Berwick-on-Tweed.

2^nd July, 1915

We, the undersigned wounded soldiers from the Expeditionary Force in France, at present quartered in the above hospitals, wish to convey our most sincere thanks to the children of Spittal Council School for the most enthusiastic reception they gave us on Wednesday afternoon, and also to the staff of the School for their kind attention and for the hospitable manner in which they entertained us to tea.

We all enjoyed ourselves immensely and thoroughly appreciate the kindly thoughts which prompted the invitation extended to us.

It is an afternoon we shall all remember with very pleasant thoughts wherever we may be.

No. 1227 THOMAS KELLY EVANS. P.P.C.L.I.

Here follow the signatures of 54 soldiers with name of regiment, rank, and number.

This letter will be carefully preserved as a memento of a very pleasant afternoon.

A sum of £1 8s 1d was collected on behalf of the local fund for wounded soldiers.

On Thursday afternoon, July 8^th, and in the evening the display of dancing and Swedish drill was repeated.

The boys, cleverly trained by Mr R.C. Clements, gave an additional act of physical exercises, and were very successful with a series of three “pyramids”. The smartness of the boys has been a general subject of conversation, and has won the admiration of experienced soldiers.

Miss Millar, Head Mistress of the Infant Department, desires to be congratulated for the pretty items rendered by her tiny pupils.

This school was the first in the district to give a display of Morris Dancing. In the recent display a new feature was introduced by the girls, who gave a choice selection of “Old English dances.” On all hands the opinion is very favourable towards the inclusion of this branch of physical exercises.

Many of the girls were most graceful dancers; in the “Gavotte”, however, the stately movements were interpreted with unusual skill, and the result was an artistic success. Miss Noble’s large class of girls in their “Scotch Red” caught the patriotic fancy of the large audience (including kilted soldiers), and the item was received with loud applause.

A Morris Dance, the most amusing thing on the programme, was undertaken by the younger boys and girls in charge of Miss Johnson, Miss Dickinson, and Miss Hayden. The boys were dressed in long hats, and from beginning to end, the quaintness of the zest with which the children themselves entered into the spirit of the dance kept the audience in fits of laughter.

Morris Dancing today is still popular with both the young and old. Photograph Ralph Jenson, Creative Commons attribution 2.0 generic license — Morris Dancing today is still popular with both the young and old. © Photograph Ralph Jenson, Creative Commons attribution 2.0 generic license

Miss Borthwick showed unusual ability at the piano; indeed the musical part of the programme was of a high order. This lady also deserves credit for the arranging of the artistic sets of Old English dances and the Gavotte.

The display took place in the school playground, and as the weather was warm and sunny there was a large audience. Seats were provided at a charge of 3d each, and it was gratifying to notice that some of the wounded soldiers had come over from Berwick to see the children again.

The large audience especially the visitors to Spittal was struck with the happy hearing of the scholars, the very pretty dresses of the girls, and the general appearance of neatness and cleanliness of such a large number of school children. The turnout reflects great credit on the mothers of Spittal.

In the afternoon the Rev. A. Alexander, M.A., at the close of the programme, after expressing the thanks of the audience, said that the scholars were not only clever and well trained in physical exercises, but the school had done well in the recent County Scholarship examination. Eight boys in the borough were successful, and of these the 1^st, 2^nd and 5^th places in order of merit fell to Spittal Council School. (Loud applause.)

The school has already done well in providing comforts for our wounded soldiers in local hospitals. The proceeds of the second display go to provide gifts for the Spittal men who are now serving in the Navy or Army.

Mr R. C. Clements, amid general regret, especially on the part of the boys, has now left the school and taken up duties at Alnwick in the 7^th Northumberland Fusiliers.

Mr John Martin Tait, B.Sc., the other assistant, has been serving since March as 2^nd Lieut. in the 10^th Battalion N.F.

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

Bright Lights – James Cuthbert, butcher, Berwick, was charged with disobeying an order to obscure the lights of his house at 11.25p.m., on the 17^th July. Defendant did not appear. Sergt. Moor said that at the time stated he saw the lights shining right across the street. He called defendant and showed him the light. Defendant said – You only want something to talk about. Witness told him to shut the door or shade the light, and defendant said he would put it out as he was going to bed, but it remained for another fifteen minutes. P.C. Welsh corroborated. The Chief Constable said defendant had called the previous night to say he could not get to Court. He expressed regret that he had offended. Fined 5s. Mr McCreath said if other cases of a similar nature came up they would be more severely dealt with.

BAdvertisr 23 July 1915 Tyneside Scottish Advert RESIZED larger — Berwick Advertiser 23 July 1915, Tyneside Scottish-Advert

BERWICK PLAYHOUSE

“The Playhouse.”– The good audiences this week have been sufficient testimony of the excellence of the “Playhouse” programmes. Jack Duncanson, the famous basso and entertainer has nightly delighted the audiences and he cannot but be pleased with the welcome he received on his re-appearance in Berwick. The bioscopic side of the programme at the beginning of the week was all

Charlie Chaplin 1915 Creative Commons License PD US

that could be desired, while commencing on Thursday, the feature will be “Harry the Swell” which is a drama enthrilling, exciting, and sensational. “Lovers Luck”, a side splitting Keystone comedy will also be shown. A solo will be given at each performance by one of the members of the orchestra, and it is a new feature which is greatly appreciated. A good programme billed for next week when the vaudeville turn will be “Carvel and Dora” in a novel act entitled “The Ventriloquist and the Maid”. The bioscopic feature at the beginning of the week will be “The Dare-devil Circus Queen” which is a most thrilling episode of circus life. It shows one of the most sensational acts ever performed by a film actor. The heroine on a horse mounts the roof of a car of a gigantic pleasure wheel and is hoisted 300 feet. There is no fake connected with the wonder, and the act is one to be seen to be believed. For the second part of the week the feature will be “In Peace and War”, which as a war picture is very interesting in more ways than one, for the subject is dealt with from some novel standpoints. Interest in the film is maintained throughout and the photographic scenes are splendidly laid. The public favourite, “Charles Chaplin” is to appear in “Champion Charlie”, a two-reel comedy. In this picture Charlie is seen at his best in a boxing match.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 25TH JUNE 1915

A MAIDEN COURT

White Gloves to the Mayor

Flattering Reference to the Military.

On Thursday, at Berwick Petty Sessions, there was a unique little ceremony of presenting a pair of white gloves to the presiding Magistrate, the Mayor (Mr Thomas Wilson), to mark the gratifying fact that there were no cases for disposal. The other Magistrates on the bench were:- Captain F.M. Norman, R.N., Mr H. G. McCreath, Mr A. J. Dodds, Alderman Plenderleith, and Mr Thomas Purves.

The Clerk (Mr James Gray), addressing the Bench, said he was pleased to say that the inhabitants of the town were earning a reputation for law-abiding and keeping the peace. The terrors of the war had been brought home to its citizens during the last few weeks, and many of their gallant sons had laid down their lives in defence of the country. It was a pleasure to think that those remaining at home were so law-abiding, and had such a respect for law and order, and there were no cases before their Honours that morning. He had much pleasure, therefore, following the old custom, in asking his Worship to accept a pair of familiar white gloves in token of a maiden Court.

White Gloves presented to Mayor, 25 June 1915 — A pair of white gloves were given to the presiding officer at Berwick Petty Sessions in June 1915 as there were no cases for the court to to deal with.

His Worship the Mayor said that on behalf his brother Magistrates and himself he had much pleasure in saying how pleased they were to think that there was no business for the Court. He hoped it would continue, and that there would be many more occasions when no cases of crime would be reported. While the occurrence of such maiden Courts imposed a penalty on the Clerk in supplying the gloves, he was sure it was one which the Clerk was delighted to bear.

Chief Constable Nicholson said he desired to congratulate the Mayor in being presented with the white gloves, and he also wished to congratulate the Bench generally on the absence of crime in the Borough. There was practically no crime, and such a state of matters must be gratifying to their Honours as well as the officers of the various regiments quartered here, especially Colonel Pennyman and Colonel Peterkin. He was very glad to say that he had practically no trouble whatever with the men. This was specially gratifying when they remembered the hundreds of men who arrived and left the town week after week; they gave the men a hearty welcome when they came, and wished them God speed when they went away. He hoped the present state of matters would long continue.

The Court then rose.

Berwick Advertiser 25 June 1915 Renton & Co. Advert

BERWICK SECOND CONTINGENT OF WOUNDED SOLDIERS

ARRIVAL ON FRIDAY NIGHT

A special hospital train arrived in Berwick Station on Friday night about 9 o’clock containing 90 wounded men- this being 16 more than arrived with the first contingent in November. Colonel C.L. Fraser, Berwick, was informed early on Friday morning that the wounded would arrive at night and forthwith arrangements were made for their reception and the three hospitals were quickly got ready, viz- Bell Tower, Parochial Hall, and Berwick Infirmary. Dr C.L. Fraser was responsible for all the arrangements and he had the capable assistance of Mr W.J. Dixon. the transport officer was Colonel Peterkin, 2^nd/10^th Royal Scots, while accompanying him were many of the officers of the Royal Scots in charge of the stretcher-bearers, while Mr R.C. Clements, assisted by the Boy Scouts, saw that the wounded went to the hospital to which they had been allocated. As on the last occasion at the station the members of St. John’s Ambulance Association rendered invaluable assistance in carrying the wounded from the train, they being under the supervision of Mr Bate, the secretary of the local branch of St. John’s. There was an abundance of cars to convey the wounded to the hospitals and a large crowd assembled to witness the arrival. The wounded are more serious cases than on the last occasion, there being 41 stretcher cases against none on the last occasion. The hospital train left Southampton at ten o’clock on Friday morning and was therefore eleven hours on the road. An R.A.M.C. Private who is an attendant on the train informed an “Advertiser” representative that there were a number of “gassed” amongst the contingent, but they had all kept wonderfully cheerful during their long journey.

WOUNDED SOLDIERS

BELL TOWER HOSPITALS DONATIONS

Eggs– Mrs Craik, Low Greens; Mrs Ritson, Mrs Richardson, West Hope; A Friend, Miss Weatherhead, Miss Bridgewater, A Friend.

Fresh Butter-Miss Forbes, Miss Weatherhead.

Jam Puddings, etc.- Mrs Bald , Mrs Trotter, A Friend.

Jelly– Mrs Caverhill.

Scones, Cakes.- Captain Herriot, Mrs Purves, Mrs T.C.Smith, Miss Bridgins, Matron Hawick Hospital, Miss Roberts, Queen’s Nurse, Hawick. Mrs Hotham

Boiled Ham– Mr H.Taylor, pork butcher, High Street, Berwick.

Fruit, Flowers, and Vegetables– Mr Renton, High Street; Miss Alder, A Friend, Mr W. S.Dods, Mrs Roper, Mrs Comfort, Mrs Skelly, Mrs T.C. Smith, A Friend.

wwi-rations resized — World War One rations, 1915

Motor Drives– Mrs Campbell Renton, Capt. Herriot.

Chocolates– Capt. Mackay, Lieut. Wolfe, 2^nd Lieuts. Blair, D. F. McLaren Grant, 2/10^th Royal Scots.

Cigarettes, Smokes, etc– Miss Rita Blackney, Garage; Unionist Club, A Friend, Mrs Campbell Renton, Mrs Bell, Peelwalls; Masters Jack Grahame Stoddart.

Illustrated Papers, Books, etc– Miss Caverhill, Mrs Campbell Renton, Miss Purves, Mrs Gemmell, Mr H. R. Smail, Master Wright, butler at Mordington House, Mrs Kennedy, 23 Tweed Street; Mrs Scott, Mr A.Darling, Mrs Watson. Miss Dudgeon, A Friend.

Stationary– Mr H R Smail, Mr Martin, Victoria Buildings; Mrs Patterson.

Use of Marquee– Mr Renton, High Street.

Aerated Waters– Messrs Johnston and Darling.

Gramophone– Miss Herriot. Mr R R Riddell.

Records – 2^nd Lieutenant Robertson, 2/10^th Royal Scots.

Linen– Mrs Jackson.

This Week in World War One, 23rd July 1915