JANUARY
The monthly drills continued throughout the year.
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on SATURDAY, the 7th of January at 6 o’clock.
J. B. BOWMAN, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 5 January 1911
FEBRUARY
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on SATURDAY, the 4th of February at 4 o’clock.
J. B. BOWMAN, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 4 February 1911
15 February
The Annual Meeting took place.
Shields Life Brigade
Past Year's Work
Value of Searchlight
The annual meeting of the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade was held last night at the Brigade House. South Pier, under the chairmanship of Dr Crease. Among those present were Major Bowman (secretary), Messrs W. Buckland, and J. Page. T. B. Grimes, J. W Buck, P. Oliver, R. 0. Middleton, A. Purvis (treasurer), J. Middleton and others.
The annual report of the committee was presented by Major Bowman. The report congratulated the members on the absence of any loss of life on the only occasion upon which their services were required. On Jan. 28th a heavy gale sprang up from the N.E. and a watch was kept all day. Towards evening, the report went on to say. It increased in violence accompanied by showers of snow and sleet. About 8.30 p.m. a light was observed near the Trow Rocks and at the same time the projection of Tynemouth searchlight in our direction warned us that they noticed something was amiss. Then a flare was seen, and it was perfectly certain that a ship was nearing the rocks. We proceeded with the rocket waggon along the sands, and by that time the whole was seen was illuminated by our searchlight. The ship was found to be the Norwegian barque Alphonse, which was stranded on the sands about 300 yards from the Trow Rocks. Communication was established by the second rocket, but by that time the South Pier lifeboat was being launched, and as the crew of the ship could see so well the efforts which were being made on their behalf they waited till the lifeboat got alongside when they were brought safely to the beach and then conveyed by our ambulance division to the Brigade House where they received every attention in the way of dry clothing, food &c. On May the 20th the brigade had the melancholy duty of attending at St Hilda’s Church on the day of the funeral of His Majesty King Edward VII. During the forenoon August 25th the fishing boat Challenger was sailing out of the harbour and being caught by the ebb tide drifted on to the stones near the end of the pier and remained fast. The coastguards assisted by a few of the brigade, ran the rocket van down the pier, but their services were not needed. She afterwards got off and proceeded to sea apparently undamaged. A watch was also held on the night of December 3rd and continued until daylight. The annual supper of the brigade was held on November 23rd when many of our honorary members and other visitors honoured us with their presence. Classes are being held for the instruction of members in the use of the rocket apparatus and in first aid, presently examinations will prove to what stage of efficiency the new members have arrived at. The ambulance division connected with No 5 District, St John’s Ambulance Brigade have kept up their efficiency by re-examination on April 25th and inspection on September 14th when the inspecting officer, District Chief Surgeon J. R. Crease , complimented the division on their drill and general proficiency attained under Hon. Surgeon A. Galloway. They also on the request of the Chief Constable went on duty on the evening of the Parliamentary by election on October 27th. They attended many minor cases and received the thanks of the Town Council for their assistance on these occasions. The Searchlight Division have attended well to their duties throughout the year. There has been an attendance of six to eight out of a possible 12 and great care has been taken to have the engine dynamo and searchlight in perfect order against any emergency. Occasional dark rocket drills have been held to accustom members to work with the light. On the occasion of the last annual meeting a welcome surprise was in store for the members. The Misses Cottew had been asked for a photograph of the late Capt. Cottew to hang in the house. They kindly presented through Hon. Capt. Potts an enlarged photograph neatly framed together with a cheque for £100 to add to the funds of the brigade which he had so much at heart and which he had been actively associated with for so many years.
Dr Crease, in moving the adoption of the reports, congratulated the members on the healthy state of the institution. They were, he thought, to be especially congratulated on the fact that during the year they had only once been called upon to render succour to distressed seamen, and that on that occasion there was no loss of life. He was old enough to look back to winters when for several days they were kept on continuous duty through stormy weather, and recalled the disasters of the year 1876, when for a whole fortnight the brigadesmen kept on duty without intermission. He urged however upon the necessity of holding themselves in reserve for emergency. Speaking of the War Office scheme, he said South Shields possessed at the present time a band of ladies of the Nursing Division twenty strong, all trained nurses, and having the complement of surgeons and corps whose names were enrolled in the War Office. They were prepared to turn out for their country’s benefit to render service to the sick and injured in the case of an invasion by a foreign force. In addition, So. Shields Life Brigade had furnished half an ambulance company, the other half being raised from St Hilda’s colliery. The company was enrolled under the War Office in connection with the 9th Durham Division, and the chairman expressed the opinion that the brigade ought to be able to provide a full company of 48 men, all fully qualified. He hoped that would be accomplished before another year.
Capt. James Page seconded and the report was adopted.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 16 February 1911
MARCH
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on SATURDAY, the 4th of March at 4 o’clock.
J. B. BOWMAN, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 2 March 1911
APRIL
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on WEDNESDAY, the 2nd of April at 7.30 o’clock.
J. B. BOWMAN, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 5 April 1911
MAY
6 May
The Annual Inspection took place.
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE
THE BRIGADE WILL BE INSPECTED by the Inspector-General of Life-Saving Apparatus at 12 (noon) on Saturday the 6th May. Full muster is requested. There are a few vacancies In the Brigade for suitable Men.
J. B. BOWMAN, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 29 April 1911
Volunteer Life Brigade
Annual Inspection at South Shields
The annual inspection of the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade has taken place, the inspecting officer being Captain Aplin, Inspector General of Life Saving Apparatus who was accompanied by Lieut. Glossop, R.N. divisional coastguard officer for the north-east district. The local officers present were Chief Coastguard Officer J Boyd, Capt. Jas. Page, Capt. Walter Buckland, Capt. John Buck, and Major J. B. Bowman, secretary of the Brigade.
The brigade gave a “full dress" demonstration of life-saving, going through the full course of drill, and the premises and appliances of the brigade were afterwards inspected, together the with coastguard station. Captain Aplin afterwards expressing satisfaction with the efficiency displayed.
Captain Aplin afterwards proceeded to Tynemouth to inspect the brigade there.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 8 May 1911
JUNE
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on WEDNESDAY, the 7th of June at 7.30 o’clock.
J. B. BOWMAN, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 5 June 1911
The Brigade took part in an inspection of local ambulance bodies.
Ambulance Inspection
South Shields is honoured on Friday with an important visitor, Col. Sir James Andrew Clark. Bart., C.B., Chief Commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. He is coming to inspect the various local ambulance bodies and for this event the Parks Committee have graciously placed the large lawn In the South Marine Park at the service of the organisers. It is the first occasion of such an inspection and will present many unique and interesting features to the people of South Shields. The parade will include the following: The Borough Police, Volunteer Life Brigade, Whitburn Miners, Hebburn, St, Hilda, South Shields Nursing Division. South Shields, and Whitburn. Dr F. N. Burn. District Superintendent Secretary. Sunderland, will be in command. After the inspection there will be a series of interesting demonstrations in treatment of the supposed wounded, the patients being supplied by the Boys’ Brigade. Ambulance work has made great strides In No. 6 District which is indeed one of the strongest registered under the War Office. This due in the main to the great personal energies and influence of the deputy Commissioner, C. B. Palmer, who is untiring in his zeal for the welfare of the movement. The District has now over 2,000 trained men and women.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 14 June 1911
Ambulance Brigade
Interesting Inspection at South Shields
Col. Sir James R. Andrew Clark, Bart., C. B., the Chief of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, who is on a visit to Tyneside, last night, inspected the local of No. 6 District of the Brigade. The members were on the large lawn in the South Marine Park, and included the following sections: South Shields Nursing Division, in charge of Mrs J. Robertson Crease, hon. superintendent and secretary; South Shields Life Brigade, in command of Mr James Page, secretary of the local centre; Whitburn Colliery, Whitburn Nursing. Hebburn Colliery, and St Hilda Colliery Divisions. There were aIso a contingent of members of the Boys' Brigade in charge of Mr R. Cunningham. The parade was under the command of Dr F. N. Bum, district supt. and secretary. Among others present were Mr Claude B Palmer, deputy commissioner, Dr. J. Robertson Crease, district chief surgeon. Rev Canon Robertson, Dr H. Goodie, Major J. B. Bowman. Dr A. M. G. Walker Dr H. F. Shepherd, Chief Constable Scott, Chief Constable Jamieson (R.T C.), Mr T B. Grimes, and others. The inspecting officer was received with a general salute by the ranks. He inspected the line and witnessed various evolutions before proceeding to the demonstrations in stretcher drill, bandaging and other first aid operations. The “patients" were provided by the Boys’ Brigade and they were treated for a great variety of accidents to body and limb. Particularly interesting was the work done by the members of the Nursing Division. The Inspecting officer gave close attention to the details the work, at the conclusion, the whole of the ranks were drawn up in a square and he warmly complimented them. What he had seen, he said, was extremely creditable to them all ladies and gentlemen alike, and he urged them to persevere with it and make themselves not only efficient in the work of dressing and treating, but also the study of the work so that they may not only know what to do but why it was done. He them and their officers continued success. The proceedings were witnessed by a large crowd of the general public. At an earlier hour Col. Sir Andrew Clark inspected the members of the police force at the Central Police Station in ambulance drill, and expressed himself highly gratified with the results.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 17 June 1911
22 June
The Brigade took part in events to celebrate the Coronation.
An Attractive Programme
Several spectacular events including the Sunday School Union demonstration, cycle parade and carnival, church parade of the local auxiliary military and Volunteer Life Brigade, and a military display on the Bents, were comprised in the day’s programme, and as the day advanced the main thoroughfares became more and more densely thronged, the greater portion of the crowd concentrating towards the Bents, where the principal attractions were to be seen.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 22 June 1911
JULY
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on WEDNESDAY, the 5th of July at 7.30 o’clock.
J. B. BOWMAN, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 5 July 1911
AUGUST
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on WEDNESDAY, the 9th of August at 7.30 o’clock.
J. B. BOWMAN, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 1 August 1911
SEPTEMBER
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on WEDNESDAY, the 2nd of September at 5 o’clock.
J. B. BOWMAN, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 2 September 1911
13 September
A long-service medal was introduced for life-saving companies and brigades.
Honour for Brigadesmen
In commemoration of the Coronation year the King is about to bestow a special medal on enrolled members of all volunteer companies and brigades using the rocket apparatus on our coasts. Each recipient must have served over or at least twenty years in a life-saving company or brigade, and was in service at the beginning of the present year. It is well to bear this in mind, for applications from old members who have resigned before the Coronation year, will not be considered. This honour will be specially interesting to the members of the Tynemouth and South Shields Volunteer Life Brigades, seeing they were the two first brigades founded in the Kingdom. Sunderland being a few years later. Following these, rocket brigades sprang up all around the coast of Great Britain and Ireland, till now they constitute a perfect network, over which the Board of Trade keeps supervision. The memorandum issued from the Board Trade on the subject is worded; His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the institution of a medal bearing his effigy and Royal legend, to be given to enrolled members of a volunteer company or brigade in recognition of long and faithful service under the Board of Trade.” It is added "As the medal has been instituted for 1911 and commemorates his Majesty’s Coronation year, applications for or on behalf of persons who have left the service before January 1st. 1911, can in no case be considered.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 13 September 1911
OCTOBER
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on SATURDAY, the 7th day of September at 6 o’clock.
J. B. BOWMAN, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 5 October 1911
NOVEMBER
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on SATURDAY, the 4th of September at 4 o’clock.
J. B. BOWMAN, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 2 November 1911
20 November
The Brigade kept watch during bad weather.
Rough Weather off the Tyne
Towards daybreak this morning the violent North-East gale considerably abate, but a wild sea ran along the coast. The weather at the mouth of the Tyne last night was of such a boisterous character that the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade kept watch, but nothing of an unusual character occurred.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 20 November 1911
21 November
A local master of a trawler criticises the coastguard’s’ actions during the incident involving the Rob Roy.
The Coastguard
(To the Editor of the Shields Daily Gazette)
Sir,-Re the recent stranding of the trawler Rob Roy, I would like to through your columns, to ask a very serious question. The vessel, as you are aware, went ashore inside of the South Pier on Thursday last, about 2 am. The crew flared up for assistance for half-an-hour, at least, and no notice was taken or given by the Coastguards who are (supposedly) on the look-out at the Battery, Tynemouth, and the Lawe, South Shields. As you are aware a very urgent enquiry is being made in other parts of England as to the efficiency of and watchfulness of our Coastguards.*- Indeed, a serious loss of life was the occasion of many adverse comments. Let us see that the same thing does not happen locally. – Yours, etc.
WILLIAM H. STENHOUSE
Master, Trawler Prince,
North Shields
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 21 November 1911
The Coastguard
(To the Editor of the Shields Daily Gazette)
Sir, -Regarding the letter in your issue of the 21st inst. from Mr W. H. Stenhouse, master of the “Trawler Prince”, as the rules of the service prevent the coastguard from replying to any press statements, the officers of the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade, who are fully acquainted with the facts of the case, feel that in justice to the coastguard they should clear the statement that “no notice was taken of the signals from the trawler Rob Roy”. It can be proved that the rocket van was taken along the pier and was in readiness for any emergency, the Rob Roy having been under observation by the coastguard on both sided of the harbour from early in the evening until she was towed off by a tug.- Yours, etc, J. B. BOWAN
Hon. Sec.
South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade
70 King Street, South Shields
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 24 November 1911
DECEMBER
SOUTH SHIELDS VOLUNTEER LIFE BRIGADE
THE NEXT DRILL will take place on SATURDAY, the 2ndh of December at 4 o’clock.
J. B. BOWMAN, Hon. Sec.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 1 December 1911