Lowick and District’s Response to the Belgian Refugees 1914 – 1915 - part 9

This is a continuation of the Lowick and District’s Response to the Belgian Refugees 1914 – 1915 - part 8.
Alternatively, see all the previous parts of the Lowick and District’s Response to the Belgian Refugees 1914 – 1915, together.


Narrator   
What good organisers, the people of Lowick are or were!

The Steffen family, at Haggerston Cottages, had the sad task of burying two young children in Lowick churchyard; the ‘heretic cemetery at Lowick’ as recorded in the Roman Catholic Register of Deaths. Josephina aged 3, buried in November 1914 and Jan aged 4, in December, died from bronchitis and convulsions, as certified by Dr Elliott. Hendrik, their 13 year old brother, used English for the first time to ask for milk for his sick brother and sister.

Edward Steffens and Elisabeth Neutjens (in later life)

A report, in the Advertiser, of a concert held in December, at the Catholic School, Lowick, stated that a grant had been received from the Berwick Belgian Relief Fund which together with the work of the local committee had put the provision for the families on a sound footing. All the able-bodied men were employed and earning wages, although some of the work was seasonal and casual.

Van Puyenbroeck family in November 1918

The Van Puyenbroeck family joined in the singing with great enthusiasm.

During the first few months of 1915, fund raising for the Refugees continued in Lowick and elsewhere. On April 29th, a public meeting was held in the Lowick Subscription School by the Belgian Refugee Committee. As there was a balance in hand of £37 7s 11d (£37.40) (943.35 Belgian francs), it was decided to discontinue the monthly subscriptions, leaving it to the Committee to resume them as and when they thought necessary.

As 1915 wore on, appeals appeared in the national and local newspapers reminding the ‘Britishers’ what they owed the Belgians and asking for a greater show of liberality both in money and energy to aid local refugees and those in Belgium. In Northumberland, the refugees, now numbering about 900, were in a great need of summer and under-clothing. It was felt necessary to point out that as most were the better class people, they would not accept dirty clothing.

The Mayor of Berwick decided to ignore the June appeal for funds for Belgium, but was upset when Berwick was left off the list of Northumberland towns that were ‘doing their bit to keep alive the unfortunate millions’. He pointed out that shortly after the War started, £400 cash and £100 of valuable goods were sent to Belgium. While aware of the needs of the Belgian people, efforts still needed to be made for the French and Russian funds and he felt it unadvisable to make any further special effort.

Extract from Lowick School Register

Official letters confirm the presence of the De Roover family in Lowick between July and November 1915. PC Henderson, the Lowick Constable, and the Chief Constable, who you have already met, will explain further.

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.