1915
AT CELLARDYKE. An interesting ceremony took place in the Council Chambers, Cellardyke, on Monday evening, when Watson Sutherland Smith, R.N.R., was presented with the Royal Humane Society’s honorary testimonial on vellum for gallantry. Provost Black, J.P., presided, and Mr Hugh H. Soutar, the Depute Town Clerk, explained that three weeks ago he had received the testimonial from the Chief Constable, with the request that it be presented in as public a manner as possible. He (Mr Soutar) had tried to arrange the function for the meeting of the Town Council, but had found that Mr Smith was on duty in the south of England. It was only on Saturday that he got word that Mr Smith would be on leave until the following day, and that explained why he had been unable to insert any announcement in the newspaper. After consulting with the Provost, he had called that meeting, and he would now ask the Provost to make the presentation. (Applause.) The Provost said it was a very pleasing duty he had to perform. In these stirring times in which they lived, they felt, inclined, when meeting so many young men in khaki or Naval uniform, to salute them, because they had responded to the call of their King and their country and had donned a uniform. (Applause) He was quite sure that if they had not had those young men to defend them, their country would not have been so well as she was that day. Indeed, the fantastic dream of the German Emperor might have been fulfilled, and then their country would have become a mere province of the German Empire. But there was no chance now of that happening. When the Formidable sank, the last command of the Captain was “Be British.” He thought they might justly say they would never have to say that to Mr Watson Smith. (Applause.) He had proved more than once that he was British. This was the third occasion on which he had saved lives at the imminent risk of his own. (Applause.) He had always held that it was the duty of every boy to learn how to swim. Lord Byron sang about “my joy of youthful sports,” and one of the finest of these was swimming. The advantage of being able to swim was that when in danger they were able either to save themselves or save others.The official facts of this particular case were that between five and six o’clock on the morning of the 16th February, George Brown, marine fireman, was walking along the east pier when he accidentally fell into the water. A strong ebb tide was running, and Brown was being rapidly carried out of the harbour when Watson S. Smith, mate of the Azarael, seeing that Brown was unable to get the lifebuoy thrown, jumped overboard and went to his assistance. The crew meantime paid out the line to which the lifebuoy was attached, and although Brown, in his struggle for life, took Smith under the surface of the water for a bit, the steady haul of the crew pulled both men into safety. Both were very much exhausted, and the exposure compelled them to keep to bed for a few days. There was 20 feet of water at the time, and as the morning was very dark, it is undoubted that Brown would have lost his life but for the gallantry of Smith. (Applause.) He was very pleased to present their fellow townsman with that testimonial, the wording of which was that “Watson Sutherland Smith was justly entitled to the honorary testimonial of this Society, inscribed on vellum, for having on the 18th February, gone to the rescue of George Brown, and whose life be so gallantly saved.” (Applause.)
Mr Smith briefly returned thanks. He had only done what any other man would have been glad to do, and the presenting to him of that testimonial was encouragement to him to endeavour to do the same again if he had the opportunity. (Applause.)
Bailie Marr said he was very pleased to know that on three separate occasions their fellow-townsman had saved life. They knew that it was not the habit of the men in the town to learn to swim, but he looked forward to the day when swimming would be taught to the children in the schools. He congratulated Mr Smith on what he had been able to do. (Applause.)
Mr Swinton said all the inhabitants of the town were extremely proud of Mr Smith, and were also very proud over the noble deeds he and other members of the Royal Naval Reserve were performing all round the coasts of the United Kingdom. It was a great pleasure to him to be there that evening to give Mr Smith a cheering word, to wish him God-speed, and to express the conviction that he would always be ready to go to the help of his brother man. (Applause.)
On the suggestion of the Provost, Mr Soutar was heartily thanked for the trouble he had taken in the matter, and for his promise to bring Mr Smith’s gallantry to the notice of other bodies, while the Provost was thanked for presiding, on the suggestion of Bailie Marr.
APPLICATION FOR HIGHER SALARIES.Sirs—I think the merchants of Cellardyke in particular, and the ratepayers in general, are indebted to you for your emphatic criticism of the application by the female teachers for higher salaries. Like the members of the Board, I think Miss Rennie is due something, but the others are, I consider, very well paid. more especially when we remember that they are now doing less work: This application is just the usual story of grasping employees determined to have their pound of flesh, no matter what the circumstances are of those who have to foot the bill. Take the merchants. They are at the present time lying out of thousands of pounds, with no immediate prospect of getting a penny of it, while many of the fishermen-ratepayers have had their livelihood, never certain, like the teachers, cut off. In these circumstances, the demand for increases is a shame, and I hope the Board will preserve their present attitude for a long time.—Yours. etc., Hard-Hit Merchant. –. Cellardyke,
On Wednesday the body of a Navy man. named John Bett. said to belong to Shore Road, Cellardyke, Fife, was brought ashore at Larne Harbour and conveyed to the Mortuary.
It appears that the deceased, who was engaged on the trawler Carotsis, lost his through the capsizing of a boat from winch be and four other men were operating while the trawler was at sea. Bett’s four companions were rescued, but notwithstanding the heroism of an engineer, who dived into the sea and was – himself an hour before he I could be taken on board again. Bett was drowned, his body recovered four hours later.
( the report incorrectly named the requisitioned Cellardyke Drifter Coreopsis KY 116) The incident occurred on 20 April 1915 off the coast of Antrim, near Rathlin Island. At the time, Bett was serving as a Royal Naval Reservist and was only 22 years old. According to family accounts and inquest records, he was ordered to use a small boat to retrieve an anchor during a severe storm. Despite being a strong swimmer, he was the only crew member who lost his life when the small boat capsized. His body was eventually recovered and buried at Kilrenny
WW1
Wounded– Canadians FIFTEENTH BATTALION. Lancs Corp. James Murray. April 22 Next of kin. Mrs. R. Murray, 4 Rodger Street, Cellardyke.
CELLARDYKE LANCE-CORPORAL WOUNDED. Information was received yesterday the parents of Lance-Corporal Murray, Rodger Street, Cellardyke, that their son, who is a member of the Canadian contingent, has been wounded in the recent engagement which the Canadians took part.
THE OATCAKE OF SUPERLATIVE EXCELLENCETHECRAIGNOON Possessing that rich, nutty flavour which Is the Hall-mark perfection in Oatcake Manufacture, they are thin and crisp, and appeal to the most fastidious palate . They only Want to be tried to be appreciated. Manufactured by D Black &Son, Cellardyke
Ask your grocer for a packetDeath of a Black Watch Territorial.
We regret to record the death of a promising and exemplary young man in the person of Robert C. Watson. Son of William Watson, James Street. Cellardyke, he having passed away on Sunday. from cold which he contracted at Hawick. He was among the first of Cellardyke recruits to join the Colours after the outbreak of the war, being a private in the 7th Battalion of the Black Watch. He had been incapacitated from active, duty for the last two months, and his demise, at the early age of 21 years is keenly felt by a wide circle of friends, who also deeply sympathise with his bereaved parents. The funeral took place on Tuesday, the remains being interred in Kilrenny Churchyard. Though not what can be described as a military funeral, it was attended by a detachment of his regiment. There was an impressive service the grave, conducted by the Rey. J. W. Anderson, who took the place of the Rev. J. Ray. with whose congregation the family are connected. Evidence of the esteem in which the deceased was held was reflected in the funeral, which was an exceptionally large one.
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