The Willoby Family ‘Pedigree’

From Julia Day:

In connection with the Greenses/Ravensdowne families project,  I have been researching the Willoby family, whose male line came to an end with the death of Edward Willoby in 1922.  He was a land agent, but his brother William Gray, father Edward, his grandfather William and great-grandfather Edward were all solicitors, and his father, grandfather and great-grandfather served the office of Town Clerk.

I have found many records to help build a fuller picture of the family, but some of the most interesting have been newspaper articles. 

On Edward’s death in 1922, an article was published in the Berwick Advertiser describing him and listing his interests.  It describes him as reserved and dignified, with ‘simple old-world manners’.  However, a keen horseman, it also paints a picture of him ‘in blue coat and white buckskin breeches’  riding up Hide Hill towards his stables at the top of Woolmarket on a ‘tired and mudstained’ horse. 

Edward never married, neither did his brother, William, or his sister, Mary Lee Willoby.  

His other sister, Jane Gray Willoby, married William Anderson and lived in Dunbar.  She died in 1927, her death notice in the Berwick Advertiser stating that she was ‘the only surviving member of the Willoby family resident in Berwick since the sixteenth century. 

In 1923, an article on the Willoby Family appeared in the Berwick Advertiser, drawing up a family tree going back to around 1603.  It relies in part on parish records, most of which I have checked, but also draws on a pedigree ‘in the possession of the late Mr Edward Willoby’. 

I wonder where it is now. 

Have you heard of this pedigree, and whether it still exists? 

Loss of the ‘Lerwick’ and the Heroism of the Crew of the ‘Margory’ in March, 1927

From Trudy Gray:
In the early morning of 24 March 1927, the boats, Lerwick and Margory, left Berwick harbour to fish off the coast to the south.  As the weather began to deteriorate they set out to return to Berwick.  The Margory returned to the harbour, facing very rough seas as it crossed the entrance.  As it reached safety the skipper, Robert Tait, heard a cry from the shore that a boat was in difficulty at the harbour entrance.  The Lerwick was swamped by huge waves.  Despite the extreme seas, Tait returned to attempt a rescue of the four men from the floundering boat.

Under very difficult conditions, the crew of the Margory rescued Robert Borthwick.  The other three on board the Lerwick: the skipper, Robert Cowe Burgon, aged 74, retired fisherman and ex-coxswain of the local lifeboat; Robert Bruce Leith, 29, motor mechanic, and William Payne, 19, all lost their lives.  Their bodies washed ashore at Spittal, a few days later. 

Details of the inquest were reported in the Berwick Advertiser of 31 March 1927. 

The coroner, Mr H R Peters, praised the courage the crew of the Margery and the recognised the dangers regularly faced by the local fishing community.  The Advertiser also reported the huge crowds that gathered at the funerals of Robert Burgon, Robert Leith and William Payne, including many members of their extended families.

Robert Burgon, skipper of the Lerwick, and Peter Dixon and his son Peter, crew of the Margory, were related by marriage.


The crew of the ‘Margory’, skipper Robert Tait, Stephen Tait. Peter Dixon senior and Peter Dixon junior, were all honoured at a civic ceremony in May 1927 and received recognition from the RNLI.

From Berwick Advertiser May 12 1927:

Berwick Fishermen honoured
Public Testimonial to Margory Crew

A thrilling story of the brave conduct of the crew of the Berwick fishing yawl ‘Margory’ was recounted by Councillor P Spowart at a Public Meeting in the Town hall on Thursday evening when silver watches, suitably inscribed, with silver guards, cheques also as a result of public subscription, an illuminated scroll giving a list of the subscribers, and a cheque from the R.N.L.I. were presented amid applause to Skipper Robert Tait, Stephen Tait, Peter Dixon, senr and Peter Dixon junr.  There was a very large attendance of local people, who after the meeting, waited outside the Town hall and raised a hearty cheer when the crew descended the steps and proceeded home.

 Does your family have any links with the families involved ?

Do you have a photograph of the boats,  Lerwick or Margory ?

Do you have memories that you can share ?

If so, please use comments below.

Lowick and District’s Response to the Belgian Refugees 1914 – 1915 - part 12 - (final part)

 This is a continuation of the Lowick and District’s Response to the Belgian Refugees 1914 – 1915 - part 11 and the final part.
Alternatively, see all the previous parts of the Lowick and District’s Response to the Belgian Refugees 1914 – 1915, together.

Narrator   
Thank you. That demonstrates the practical difficulties faced by local officials and the never ending paper work.

References to Belgian refugees almost disappear from the local papers. A chance comment made by the Rev Smith, in his report of ‘Christmas in Lowick’, in the Berwick Advertiser of the 31st December 1915, reveals that they had left the area. It would seem that they went without any fanfare.

A list of parishioners, dated New Year 1919, kept by Father Corcoran of St Edwards Roman Catholic Church, Lowick, stated that all but one Belgian family, the Van Hoofs at Lowlynn cottages, had left the area for Newcastle, London and Poole. In November 1918, Theresa Julia Van Hoof, visited Lowlynn: she was working as a servant in Newcastle and was presumably a relative.  Did the family remain in England?

By 1920, the overwhelming majority of Belgian refugees had returned home, actively encouraged to do so, by both Governments. Few signs remain of their presence, other than an occasional memorial tree planted by grateful refugees. 

Thomas Boal’s knowledge of Flemish no doubt accounted for the accuracy of the details in the newspaper.  We have been able to confirm that both of the South Berrington families returned safely to Mechelen, the Van der Meirens back to 53 Horse Cemetery Street. The Van Puyenbroeck family first went to Glasgow.  Mauritius, aged 7 at the time, told his sons about the cold winters, being snowed in, and having to re-learn Dutch when he returned home. Maybe they sailed soon after. The Steffen and Van Horenbeck families also returned to Mechelen.

Despite the constant water supply problem; the many cottages declared unfit for occupation and the various demands on their purses, local people certainly did their bit. 


Primary Sources
Newspapers - Berwick Advertiser, Berwick Journal, Newcastle Daily Journal, Yorkshire Evening Post.
Northumberland Constabulary Registration of Aliens File (held at Woodhorn)
School Log Books and Registers – Ancroft Log Book and Register; Beal Log Book; Cheswick Log Book and Register; Lowick Log Book and Register (all Berwick Archives)
Parish Registers – St John the Baptist, Lowick - Burial Register (transcript Berwick Archives)
St Edward’s Roman Catholic Church, Lowick – Baptism Register for Haggerston and Lowick; Register of Death (contains lists of communicants and parishioners) (held by Rev David Tanner, Glanton Roman Catholic Church)
Glendale Rural District Council Minutes ( Berwick Archives)
Belgian Refugee families – details confirming safe return of four families provided by Mechelen Archives; photos by descendants of two of the families.

Lowick and District’s Response to the Belgian Refugees 1914 – 1915 - part 8

This is a continuation of the Lowick and District’s Response to the Belgian Refugees 1914 – 1915 - part 7.
Alternatively, see all the previous parts of the Lowick and District’s Response to the Belgian Refugees 1914 – 1915, together.


Narrator  
Meanwhile more families arrived as reported by the Lowick Correspondent for the Advertiser, 30th October.
 
Lowick Correspondent     
Two more families have arrived. One is in the village and the other at Barmoor East Cottage, about half a mile from Lowick. Although the population in the district is not very large, it is gratifying to see how the people are rallying round and helping these unfortunate people in their adversity.

The new arrivals, like the first, are wholly dependent on our help, because they also came to Lowick with just what they were wearing, so it is to be sincerely hoped our duty toward them will not be forgotten. Bit by bit we are learning from them the terrible sufferings they have endured, before they eventually escaped from the “Berlin butchers”, as the Germans are rightly named. Their plight may have been ours but for the gallant stand they made between us and safety. The Lowick people, as a rule are very kind-hearted and it can be said with confidence they will never shirk the duty they have been asked to perform, and from those who live in districts where no refugees are and who would like to share the burden along with the Lowick people, gifts of clothing, furniture, food and money will be gratefully received. It is not a case of philanthropy but of justice. We are asked to thank the Wooler friends through the press, for the parcel of clothing sent.
If everyone gives a little there is no fear of failure.

Newcastle Daily Journal 22 October 1914

One thing that has been evident, which will no doubt be remedied shortly, is that some of the families have had large quantities of perishable goods given to them – more than is really necessary – consequently some of these things may have been wasted and others may not have had sufficient. It was therefore decided to call a public meeting to see if a systematic distribution could be arranged. The meeting was held in the Public Subscription School on Wednesday evening, October 21st, and was one of the largest public meetings ever held in Lowick. As a rule when public meetings are held in Lowick they are very poorly attended, but on Wednesday it was certainly the exception, as every available seat was occupied and the enthusiasm throughout the meeting must have given those who were elected, confidence to carry out their work.

Dr Elliott, who is a keen worker for the welfare of the Belgians, took the chair. He said it was their bounden duty to see that the refugees did not want for anything, and as their stay would not only be weeks or months, but probably over a year, he hoped the public who had attended the meeting would give the matter their careful consideration before coming to any decision. The question was “How are we going to maintain them?” If a house to house collection was decided upon he hoped the people would arrange to give at the beginning what they would be able to keep up to the end, so that they would know what to expect from the collection each week. He read a letter from Mr Ronald Barber, Lowick Hall, saying he was sorry he could not be present at the meeting, but he would undertake to look after the family now living in his cottage. He intended giving the husband work during their stay in Lowick and he would also give work to the man who was living in Renwick’s cottage. This kind offer was heartily applauded by the audience. The meeting was afterwards open for discussion. It was decided to appoint nine ladies to carry out the work to see that each family obtained an equal supply of food, and to investigate into all matters. The nine ladies were unanimously chosen! A central fund has been opened in Newcastle and Mr Riddle, of Berrington, as a member of the Committee, and also representative for the Lowick district advised joining it. This was agreed to, but it was decided that no money was to be sent until a full report came from the committee. Another public meeting was arranged for Monday evening, October 26. Two adults were elected to visit each house to ascertain how much every house-hold would be prepared to give each week or month.

A letter was  read from Mr E W Stiles, of Berwick, stating that if houses could be provided in Lowick, the Berwick people would undertake to furnish them.

At the second public meeting, the arrangements were completed for the house to house collection. Mr Riddell explained that he had seen Mrs Pattinson of Lowlynn, and that she was telling the householders in Bowsden, from whom she had already collected, that in future their contributions had better go to the Lowick Committee. Mr Riddell explained the position of the Northumberland, Newcastle and Tyneside Belgian Refugee Committee and proposed that all money raised by means of the house to house collection should be kept in the district for local purposes and that any outside subscriptions that might come in or any church collections should be forwarded to the Central Committee. It was decided to do this.  Father Corcoran, who was unable to be present, sent a letter stating that 18s 1d (£0.90) had been raised by the Lowick Leek Club for the refugee fund. It was suggested that if it was possible to provide work, such as the making of toys, to the cabinet makers among the refugees, orders should be given through Rev D R Wishart, secretary of the Committee.

Lowick and District’s Response to the Belgian Refugees 1914 – 1915 - part 7

This is a continuation of the Lowick and District’s Response to the Belgian Refugees 1914 – 1915 - part 6.
Alternatively, see all the previous parts of the Lowick and District’s Response to the Belgian Refugees 1914 – 1915, together.

It was performed as a "radio play" in Berwick Guildhall on 25 April 2015 at Discover Berwick’s First World War Story. Researched and written by Julie Gibbs.


Narrator  
We may never know the truth.  Such cases must have been very common and time consuming.
You will be pleased to know that for the benefit of the Belgian Refugees in Lowick and Haggerston District, who now number over 60, the Berwick Journal on 22nd October 1914  included a short summary of the news from Belgium, in Flemish.

The day before, the Medical Officer of Health visited Lowick. He reported to the Glendale Rural District Council that the water supply was almost gone.  Water could only be got at one pant (in Northumberland, a pant is a pump, water trough or fountain to supply drinking water for people or animals) or in the middle of the village and that he understood only occasionally. He felt it highly desirable for matters to be expedited, for with an influx of refugees and a possibility of wounded being brought to the village, the scarcity of water was liable to bring about a serious condition. (Lowick’s water supply had occupied the minds of the Parish Council and Glendale Rural District Council for years and continued to do so for years to come!)

Meanwhile more families arrived as reported by the Lowick Correspondent for the Advertiser, 30th October.

Lowick and District’s Response to the Belgian Refugees 1914 – 1915 - part 1

Researched and written by Julie Gibbs.

[This production, performed as a "radio play" in Berwick Guildhall on 25 April 2015 at Discover Berwick’s First World War Story and is a shorter version of that presented by the Lowick Heritage Group in December 2014, with a cast of five: Richard Black, Sarah Burn, John Daniels, Rev Victor Dickinson, Amanda Worlock.]

Narrator   

During this performance you will hear from some of the local characters who chivvied, reported and helped in both personal and official capacities and from a refugee herself.

The German invasion of Belgium on 4^th August 1914 resulted in approximately 250,000 Belgian Refugees seeking refuge in Britain.

With little time to prepare, central and local government agencies worked alongside the voluntary War Refugees’ Committee and the several thousand local committees, to provide food, shelter, clothing, employment, education and medical care.

Newspapers played a vital role in emphasizing the fate of ‘poor little Belgium’; the needs of the brave Belgian refugees and our duty to help.  From August onwards, appeals appeared on behalf of the Belgian Relief Fund, set up to help those still in Belgium; and for hospitality in Britain, for those forced to leave their homes.

The thousands that came from Ostend and Flushing, through the ports of Folkestone and Tilbury were received by the Government in London and provided with accommodation until they could be allocated places in the country.

The Aliens Restriction Act, 1914, prohibited aliens from living in an area running inland for a distance of 10 miles and upwards, for almost a continuous chain on the east coast of England and Scotland, to prevent German spies from impersonating Belgian refugees. Northumberland to comply, established ‘colonies’ in Allendale and Hexham and other nearby towns. Any aliens already living in a restricted area could remain but had to register with the local Police. The Northumberland, Newcastle and Tyneside Belgian Refugees’ Committee complained in December, that they had many more offers of hospitality than refugees. They expected five hundred to be in the county by the end of that month but could accommodate more.

Berwick and the surrounding villages were quick to offer assistance. In September, the Mayor started a Borough Subscription List for the Relief Fund for the Belgian Nation; while the Sheriff asked for offers of hospitality in Berwick-upon-Tweed and its neighbourhood.

Mrs McCreath, of Ord Villa, collected a large amount of clothing for the refugees, which she forwarded in two wooden boxes, to London, for which she received grateful thanks.

The Berwick Journal dated 24^th September 1914, offered the following advice-

Where it is not possible to offer hospitality to a mother and children, one lady might pay the rent for two or three empty cottages in a Berwickshire village. Others could then provide furniture or a regular supply of food, such as bread, milk, and eggs; while others again could make or buy clothing for the refugees. With a little organisation a scheme of this sort, might be started in every village in the county, and I am quite sure many willing helpers would at once come forward. All that is needed is one energetic lady in each village to get the scheme started.

Collections were taken at every gathering, religious or social.  The Berwick Cycling Club held a Smoking Concert in September, to raise money for the Belgian Relief Fund. It was attended by Mr Jacques Jobe, a mining student at Liege University, who happened to be staying in Berwick with his uncle, Mr Simmen, Confectioner Maker and Caterer. Mr Simmen from Switzerland and his wife from Belgium had both become naturalised citizens in 1902. Mr Jobe, who played the Belgian National Anthem at the concert, will feature later. Over £5 was raised.

A correspondent writing for the Berwick Advertiser 9^th October 1914 will take up the tale.

Correspondent  

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen

Within the past week, forty Belgian refugees have arrived at Haggerston Castle from Beal Station. They have been quartered on the estate, at Lowick, and the farm of South Berrington, occupied by Mr Middlemas. Among those on the estate is a woman with a family of six children, three little girls and three little boys. There is also a boy of fifteen from Malines working with the gardeners on the estate. He seemed to be quite happy and pleased to be working with two Englishmen. Asked why he had left Belgium he merely replied he had to fly because the Germans were coming. The boy could speak French fluently, but the majority of the refugees in the district mainly spoke Flemish. Mr Jobe paid a visit to the estate and conversed to the best of his ability with the mother of the six children. They are staying in a cottage and before the door, the Belgian flag was flying. She said her husband was working at the Central Station Antwerp. While Mr Jobe was cycling down the drive, his handkerchief, which has the colours of the Belgian flag on it, was fluttering from his pocket, and five little boys – belonging to another family – who were sitting on the grass at the roadside stood up and raised their hats. Mr Jobe asked them where they had come from but as they spoke Flemish he could not get a direct answer, but they managed to explain that they had come from a house in the country, probably a farm. At South Berrington there is one family consisting of a husband and wife and two boys aged 15 and 17.  Mr Demant, a Technical Translator, brought them from Newcastle and interpreted between them and the farmer. The husband and the two sons were cabinetmakers. Mr Middlemas was in Belgium recently, but left when war was declared.

Great excitement prevailed in the village of Lowick last Thursday evening, when the Belgian family of refugees, comprising husband and wife, husband’s mother, and five children arrived. Their presence in this quiet little village has made the effects of this Great War clearer than ever before. Deepest sympathy is extended to them in their sad plight, because evidently they had to leave their home that would be very dear to them, with just what they were wearing. They came from close to Antwerp, and if anyone had an interview with them who could speak Flemish, they would probably have a story of the great sufferings they endured before arriving at a haven of safety.

It is to be hoped that their sojourn in Lowick (be it long or short) will be happy and pleasant, because without a doubt our safety in a great measure is due to the Belgians staying the initial advance of the Germans at a great loss of life. They kept the door shut so to speak until the Allies were better prepared. So let that sacrifice be repaid by one and all of us giving what we can to help them in their time of need.