1936-12-18 — Page 13

14

THE

HONGKONG

TELEGRAPH.

18. FRIDAY, DECEMBER

1936.

To-day in the Past

The

The

Story Of BOMBARDMENT

of the

HARTLEPOOLS

By

Mrs. Ellen Whitecross

0

NLY а week Christmas. shops of the Hartle- pools were taking on a fes- tive appearance.

meet a fate more terrible even than along the pavement; the next, with

swift death,

Scarcely had

they

a hideous scream, they would roll disappeared over into the gutter. from sight then there was the deep boom of distant heavy firing.

At

In a few minutes usually quiet

first attached ittle Importance to and peaceful thoroughfares had been this, as Acing practice off that part made to resemble a Flanders battle- to of the coast was frequent, and the Beld.

residents of the Hurtlepools had be

Helpers already alled the streets, The cume accustomed to and unalarmed oblivious of their own danger, it

by it.

But, as the minutes passed and the seemed. The dend were placed re- noise grew closer, a fearful suspicion verently by the roadside, the helpers gripped me. There had been many then hurrying on to aid the injured rumours of possible bombardment where there was still hope. Shrap- and invasion at the cast const by the nel gained everywhere..

It was at a spot where four streels enemy, but no one had taken them seriously. Yet now it seemed that converge that I found my Peter, perhaps after all something of the lung arms outspread into the gutter, Burl was imminent.

The children of the towns, uncomprehending the gra- vity of the four-month-old European war, were looking- eagerly forward to the twenty-fifth,

A Soldier's Warning

face upwards. could see. thai he was dead. But what of the athers? At that moment two soldiers come up to me.

"This is no pince for you. Mrs. Whitecross," they said,

And, because I felt at though all

the life had gone out of me, I lat them lead me away to a cellar Into women and children were being herded by the milltary and

Almost at the same moment there burst on my ears a louder and neurer In the houspa there was much detonation which shook the house to preparation. There were pud- its very foundations.

An instant later followed a terrifle ding-stirring and cake-making, shattering that seemed to beat into which and parcel-packing, for large by brain.

I rushed to my door. At that mo- the injured were being carried by consignments of Christmas fare were being sent to husharts and ment there raged down the street a St. John Ambulance workers.

suldler, his face streaming with We seemed to be imprisoned down sons at the front.

The Hartlepools were flourishing, Ings to the inhabitants of the houses there hours. It was like being in was a period of unprecedented who by now had hurried to their some medieval dungeon. The In- prosperity-how different from these doors and windows to see what the jured were moaning for water, but there was none excepting in an old and noise was about. days of Industrial stagnation

the "The unemployment distress-fat

Germons are here-on top rainwater butt in the corner. They

drank from, this. shipbuilding yards had in hand or of us," he gasped. "Get out with ders that would, working day, and those children of yours, for God's night, take two years and more to satte, Mrs. Whitecross." execute..

"If you don't believe me, all I can

IL

blood, his tumie torn, yelling warn-

A Son's Dying

The Hartlepools dined with the say is my mate down there at the Message clang of the riveters' hummers, the battery hasn't a head," he burst out dockyards were tilves of industry, grimly. "They're firing on us as the brilliant glare of blasting fur- hard as they can." unces never dulled.

Again,

All this time we could hear firing going on above. At every moment house to come and again cante that we expected the

Then the noise ceased as suddenly as it had started..

pollceman Shortly afterwards a arrived and took us to the police station, which was being used as a temporary hospital.

[

TWENTY-TWO years ago Britain began the four

tremendous years of her history.

Strange and perilous things happened in those. four years things of which the full facts were never really known. *

*

**

This is the second of a series of articles in which actual survivors will tell their stories of the dramas in which they were suddenly called to play a part, and of the events that will remain the outstanding memories of their lives.

*

*

To-day a Hartlepool mother describes what hap- pened on that morning in 1914 when, a few moments after her children had left home to go to school, three- German warships rained shells upon the town.

HERLESS

I was then living in Hartlepool, dreadful bursting roar of close-by crashing down on us. which is separated from West ar- gunfire, to the accompanying rattle- tlepool by the docks and ship- of shattering masonry.

Now the noise of splitting houses building yards, near the sea shore.

Here is a maze of densely popu- seemed a good distance away, the lated streets with small semi-de- next a deafening crash would Indi- tached houses, chiefly inhabited by cate that it was only a few yurda working people, fronted by the two off, and within a few seconds a cloud

dust

debris batteries known

and of AS Hough

and particles of would descend on the roadway.. pool's main war-time defence.

It is hard to give a clear account lying on the floor waiting to be con- of one's thoughts and actions during veyed to Hartlepool Hospital. There badly injured, gave a wan smile of The Scandinavian Church, too, was a crisis of this kind. But I do re- were pitiful scenes women calling recognition when he saw me,

that after the soldier's for their children, others begging to warning I ran through the streets in be taken away. Shortly before 8 a.m. on Decem- the direction taken by my children ber 16, 1014, 1 stood at the door of a few minutes before."

A Merry

Laughing Trio

my house to see my three children,

member

Peter, aged sine, Mr thes, who was Sheltered

six and a half, and little Elizabeth,

a mere toddler of three and a half, In-The-Sea-

on their way to school.

Never shall I forget the sight there. Rows and rows of wounded were

One small boy-named Christo- bc pher Measor who seemed to

The P.&O. Banking

My husband had joined the Army- Everywhere was chaos People Corporation, Ltd.

a week before, and was stationed at rushed hither and thither, not know. Jarrow. We expected him home on ing whether to stay indoors or to leave for Christmas, for a fourth leave their homes for safety. Mothers]

were grabbing their children and little one was expected shortly.

The children were looking for- running with them towards the back wurd to Christmas with their of the town, instinctively drawn to soldier daddy. Their little gifts the open country. Many raced into for him had already been bought the sea and stood waist deep in the

shelter of the pler and carefully stored awny,

Some

They were a merry, laughing trio, and as they turned the corner

the

fell as they ran, hit by at pieces of tying shell and falling de-

bottom of William-street they bris as shot after shot was hurled

among the houses. waved their hands to me..

Little did I think then that it was It was though some evit power to be the last farewell of two of was striking them down. Af. one them and that the youngest would noment they would be

running

HONGKONG AND SHANGILAI BANKING CORPORATION.

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150,000,000 ....... 20,000,000

$20,000,000

HEAD OFFICE~HONGKONG,

Losvod and Fully Paid-up

Reserva Funda bu

Sterling

Ilongkong Currency ILeserve $10,000,000

Reserva Liability of Frouktor

·BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Hon, Mr. J. J. Patemon,

Chairman.

G. Maklo, E.. Deputy Chairman.

A. IL Compton, Esq., R. B. Morrison, Es Hun. Mr. 8. 11. Dodwell, T. E Poarco, Es4. Hon. Mr. H. T. Johnson, A. L. Shields, Esq.

J. The Mashon, Ex..

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All that was left of the home in which these two children- lived with their parents.

With difficulty he raised himself from the floor on his elbow.

"You know me, Mrs. Whitecross, don't you?" he said weakly.

"Of course I do, Christopher," said,

want you to tell my mother when you see her that I love her

He managed to kneel, and, put-

Lord's Prayer.

hit.

West Hartlepool suffered no less damage, although there the deaths not. so heavy. and casualties, were Two of the German battle cruisers had momentarily relaxed, their bom bardment of Hartlepool, and turned their attention to the docks and ship- building yards separating the two

towns.

(Incorporated in England, 1920)..ting his hands together, began the "cleared" the decks and exploded in

£5,000,000 2,504.180 180,000

Authorised Capital subscribed and Paid-up Reserve Fund

HEAD OFFICE. 117-122, LendenHall Streel, London, EC.. WEST END BRANCH. 11-10, Cockapur 'Street, London, 8.W.1. BRANCHES-Barnbay, Calcutta, Calleut Coimbatore, Colombo, Hongkong, Madra, Shanghal, Bingapore.

But althoughi a number of hits were made many of the shells the streets of West Hartlepool, But he never Anished it.

The enemy seemed to direct their By noon the work of attending, shots haphazard, without definite to the wounded was well in hand alm. Many fell into the water of the Hartlepool Hospital was soon filled docks.

At one shipyard, iwo men

were

to overflowing. Twa, and even three, of the less serious cases were pul into one bed. Some lay on mat- killed and the electrical and riggers' shops were set alight. A partly built tresses in the corridors.

was hit by a shell which Ordinary pallents were transfer- steamer red to the outpatients' department, pierced her hold and killed a work- Asuncion:-lä il principal towns of the A number of buildings besides the man,

police station were turned into tem- Fled Into. world.

General Exchange and Rasting Valess porary hospitals. The transacted. Loans and overdratia granted on took fifty cases. approved security. Current and Fixed Deposit sacounts upened,

BAVINGS ACCOUNTS IN LOCAL CUK-

Poison

HENCY Interest allowed at 20 per annum. Shells

ACCOUNTS |-- which may be

workhouse

The Country

tb

All day the railway stations were people besleged by panic-stricken determined at all costs to get away STERLING SAVINGS Incorporated by Royal Charter 1853,

from the district, even though it Wald-up Capital 13.000.000 Interest allowed at raton

Every doctor and nurse in Hartle-

meant leaving, their homes as they Imers Liability of Proprietors 43,000,000 obtained on application.

to walk Some set out CREDIT pool and the surrounding towns and stood

stood. TRAVELLERS' LETTERS OF $3,000,000 Ierro Fund

And TRAVELLEDA CHEQUES issued? also Passengers Letter of Credit for use only an viilages gave willing aid to the in Stockton, and Darlington.

It was a pathetic procession that board & O. and 1.1, Steamers and at jured, many of whose, wounds were

Indescribably terrible.

trudged its way into the country on porte of Call.

More than twenty people died that dreary December moming,

Some wheeled before they could be operated on.

perambulators. The medical staff at the hospital Some carried dogs under their arms, found themselves faced with a grave or canaries in cages. There were difcuity, for the chemical consti- others with bundles containing a few

treasures snatched abella corried cherished tuents of the coloured the flesh before leaving. Many were clad only

BEMAILANG

SEREMBAN

BILANGILAT

SITIAWAN

SINGAPORE

AGENCIES AND BRANCHES:-- ALON STAR ILOILO

SAIGON AMRITSAR IPON JANGKOK KARACHI ΠΑΤΑΚΙΑ KLANG ЦОМПАУ CALCUTTA GANTON CAWNPORZ CEBU COLOMBO DELI HAIPHONG HAMBURG BANKOW

BARDIN

HONGKONG

KODE KUALA

LUMPUR KUCKING MADRAS. MANILA MEDAN NEW YORK PEIPING

(Peking) PENANG RANGOON

KOURA DAYA TAIPING TIENT IN TONGKAH (Phuket) TSINGTAO

ritish Income Tax Recovered. Executorships and Trusteeships undertaken.

W. J. WADDINGTON,

Hanger. Hongkong, 17th Apall, 1936.

THE BANK OF EAST ASIA. LIMITED.

YOKOHAMA, ZAMBOANGA

Authorised Ospital ...... rud-up Capital ............. Reserve and Undivided

Profita

Foren Exchange and General Banking business transacted.

Current Accounts opened and Fixed De posits redved for one your or shorter periods at rates which will be quoted an seplication.

The Hank's Bread Office In, London under takes Executor & Trustee business and claims. recatory of Deitish Inoose Tax overpaid, on term which may be ascertained at may of 1 Agencies & Branches-

THE YOKOHAMA SPECIE

BANK, LIMITED.

6,587,650.00

a polson which

Legioitig

up

The Raiders

from land

08.

over

town were no less painful. People who Arst conveyed to me the news stood despairingly in groups before of the impending attack on the town. thele ruined homes. Many of thein Despite the shock which these swift the had last parent, son, or a daughter. Ensunities must have had on In several cases a whole family had garrison gunners, they immediately. been wiped out..

opened fire. So began the first battle The second shell Ared by one of between a British battery on British the three German ships-the first soll.and an enemy dect at sea. was almed at the Heugh Battery, To every enemy shell sent and killed the first soldier to meet there was an answer. The officer his death on British, soil at the hand commanding the gunners, Colonel

them to of the enemy in the great war L. Robson, ordered

alm struck. the upper floor of a near-by higher-at the decks of the enemy house.

craft. there, One Two spinsters lived

Onlookers who watched the battle of them was in the pasange on her from points on the const have sald way to her sister's bedroom, disturb that the bridge of one of the German ed from. her slumbers, no doubt, by vessels--the Blucher, later sunk by the sudden noise outside.

us was carried away by one of our

A piece of the shell struck ong shells.

sister, indicting terrible wounds and Many of the crews on board the killing her instantly. When, after German vessels were seen to fall. the Bombardment, neighbours went The Germans, in fact, later ad- to search for the second sister, they mitted in official reports that their could not at first And her. She had casualties in this battle amounted to been blown to pieces.

ninety killed and 210 wounded.

fire on them.

The German warships-two battle But, despite the gallant night put cruisers and one armoured: erulser up by our Untteries, the Germun took part in the attack-were met as ships persisted in their bombardment

four the bay by came into

of Hurtlepool for afty minutes, during Bellish destroyers,

which opened which time 1,500 shells were Ortd into the town, causing 113 deaths- This accounted for the distant many died later from their injuries— Bring which the Hartlepools hand and wounding 427. heard before the ships emerged from The German ships returned home the mist that hung over the sea. Our Gunners'

Reply

"

ir a northerly direction, scattering mines us they went, in consequence of which three ships were destroyed'

off the coust a few hours later.

It was a sad Christmas for Harties. pool. There was little of the festive But the four-inch guns of the spirit of the season behind the shat- British ships were entirely Inode- tered windows and cracking walls of quate against those of the Germans, those

Bricklings.

was pitted with shell' and they were forced to retire after three of their crew had been killed splinters, doors hung limply on their and sveral injured. All excepting hinges, slutes and tiles lay in heaps

of the ships were badly damaged. by the roadside. Suddenly the leading German ship

one

u street which in less than an

had turned round and opened fire on hour had become as desolated as any Heugh Battery. A shell

of those of the cities of Belgium F exploded against the corner of the low wall returned the day, after the bombard- forming the boundary between Heugh ment. Battery and the pathway dividing it My children had gone, my home from the other battery, killing the was badly damaged, and in a few entry and three men of the Durham hours another life was coming into Light Infantry Regiment, which had the world behind a roughly boarded provided the battery guard, and window in a room where the wounding several others.

crumbled debris of dislodged ceilings

It was one of the wounded mer still Iny thickly on the furniture.

OUR BRITISH

CROSSWORDS

To

20

26

ACROSS

1 There must be a tank in this green-house, though It need not take up much room. 9 Aht there's money about for an and prevented healing. In my in their night clothes and were even

Irishman, I sec. instances this made it impossible barefooted.

10 London suburb. They were given food and drink 11 The heart of 2. save wounded $10,000,000.00.

of looking after on the way by sympathetic farmers 12 Takes mais la leather down

for swindles. Wello

money the on inside the and others. Christmas fore ready 13 Indicates a the injured was

of clearing the for the following week was distribut- hospitals the

under Just now. wreckage was being carried on. ed among the refugees.

14 It is pleasant made from limes. the There This unexpected raid by

were bewildered children 18 No dole for this chump. Germans

had caused tremendous who had lost their parents or who 18 Asiatic tribesman. havoc. In nearly every street at had been hustled out of the danger 20 A good deal of her balance has

was wrecked; in some zone in

In the least one house wa

dful stampede that dreadful

been taken by this old-fashion- whole row was demolished. followed the firing of the first shots. ed book.

My own little girl, I afterwards 22 Elin.

2.455.295.62

KNAD OPFICS)-DONGKONO.

10, De Voss Road Central.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:-

Hon. Bir Bhouson Chow, Chairman.

庭 Li Lan Bant, Esq.

Wong Chu Bon, Fig.

Great holes gaped in the walls,

Li Koon Chan, Esq.

P. K. Kwak, Eng.,

Wong Yun Tong, B. Kan Ying Po. 4.

Chan Chung Ebek. Eku.

Ceplial (fully-paid-up) (........ ¥.100.000.000 Reserve Fund ***........................... 7.180,000,000 || Auxy

HEAD OFFICE:—YOKOHAMA, Branches and Agencies at

Current Accounts opened is Local Currency Alexandria and Fixed Peposits receival for one year or Bangkok

Local Currency and Batavia Delole aborter Bierling on terms which will be quoted on Berlin

Bombay application.

ALSO up to date SAFE, DEPOSIT DOIES Calcutta in various sizes TU LET.

Hongkong, 1st November, 1936.

HONGKONG SAVINGS BANK.

KA TONE Po, Esq., Chief Manager.

Ld The Fong, Esq., Manager. BRANCHES AND AGENCIES 1

Balaya

Nagkaki

Hembay

Now York.

Halaking

Rio de

Calentin

Diaka

Karachi

Japatro

Canton

l'aria

Aingapore fihangha! Surabaya SWALOW Hydney

Kobe Tandon

San Francisco

1fatphon

Peking

-Tihoku

Hem 11a

Haskow

Penang

Montain

Los Angeles Manila Canion

Moji Daleen (Dalny) Ningmaki Rengtien

Nakora (Mulden) New York Hamburg

Doaka Tankow. Ouru

Se

Ifonetalu Kobe

· Marigoon

Tokyo

Balzon

Vancouver

Kowloom

San Francisco Yokohama Beatu

Bemarang

Shanghai Blagapore Borabays Bydney Tientela Tsingtao Tokro Yingkow

London Manila

27 Command, neatness.

1

masses of laths and slates lay across learned, was taken in by a kindly 24 An offensive point about a cer- the roadways, for whole roofs had neighbour. Her brothers had been tain vegetable. been lifted off by the high velocity struck down with the shells. shells.

Later this neighbour fled with her 29 Not quite so fast-bulit more One shell had hit the Carnegie family to the country, and it was not

stone until late great Library, sending a

night, when many cornerpiece and chunks of ornamen were forced to return to the stricken 30 Its possession is tal mas

gift. masonry hurtling into the street town for shelter, that little Elizabeth below, where they fell on a group was brought back and carried to the 31 The volcano did.

that

for comfort than for speed, as a matter of fact.

0 doubtful

DOWN

of people who were seeking shelter, hospital to be inld, at the request of 32 Went in, blushing finally. killing several of them.

Matthew-who died shortly after 83 Concurred also (three words,

7,2,-3). Several churches were hit, includ- wards from terrible wounds-in the Ans. St. Hlida's thirteenth-century samo bed as he occupied. edifice, and

0X- one of the linest

Poor Elizabeth lived for five yeara they after the bombardment, but amples of ecclesiastical architecture Ever. Jeription of Banking and Ex-

were years of chate, bulness Iransacto Lamas granted in the north.

agonising suffering. DA_SITOTOL. securities,

Stonework on St. Mary's Church It was found that numberless small Current Accounts opened In Local Car was also badly damaged, and a shell particles of shrapnel had lodged in rency, and Fixed Deposits wolved for one Deposits received for fixed periods at rules or or shorter periods in Local and Foreign passed right through the Baptist her, body, and her whole system was

Currencies on terms which will be quoted Church-recently on appifextian.

The Distow of the above Bank is cop. Harbin ducted by the Hongkong and Shaarhus Nank-Honolulu

Parla Pelping

Interest allowed on Ourrent Accounts.

Fog Corporation. Bulat may be obtained on Hongkong #pplication,

FOR TUN HONGKONG AND BILANGHAI

BANKING CORPORATION

V. M. GRAYBURN, Hongkong, 24th February, 2014;

Chief. Manager.

Ramaroon

to be obtained, on application.

Y. HANO.

Wongkonk, iith November. 1936,

Маледит,

Safe Deposit Boxes To Let Maki

KAN TONG PO,

rebuilt causing Impregnated with the poison

those dreadful shells.

from

tremendous havoc.

It finally penetrated the bedroom The scenes among those who were Chlef Managse. of a house, which was also damaged, brave enough to remain on in the

2 Turn to, and give him hell, tho

Jealous fellow.

3 They're all round the coast of

England, and in this.

4 A sound measure,

5. Here you see Anne in a temper. 6 Salvo (onag.)..

7 Somewhat mixed language,

fencer.

8 Set free an imprisoned Danish

Stone a shrimp (anag.), -.. 14 Sticks-down.

I

15 Keen enough, but I must adralt

It takes a long time.

17 Don't turn this fish for obvious

rean0115.

10 Fancy having to fog up here!. 21 Fort? Note the question-thon

ignore it.

23 One would imagine that the cryptogam would not flourish in this torrid situation.

25 Domestic animal

20 The guard that does not watch. 29 Rate.

20 Begin (two words, 3, 2).

Yesterday's Bolution.

18 UBEITTÜTE ZUL ||PE_E_E_EN|

UNAWAKENED HOOP [B_T_W_REME=REL BIAM INVOICE NOWN GLA MANAGES GILU1E6

PIGONIN ELEANOBINAQA IN R BÓIAN__N__IG

ISLANDE DRAMA

LTPS COLLYR BONE LETTLAGNIN A

YARD DETERMINED