Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan J.
I believe Newburgh was put onto a care and maintenance basis shortly after this due to shortage of manpower caused by so many of the workforce either being in the TA and being called up or actually "rushing" to volunteer for the great adventure which would be "over by Christmas". The remaining personnel were transferred to Broomhill to bolster their workforce which had suffered similarly.
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A different slant on the run down of Newburgh in WW1 appears in the Newcastle Journal on 13 August 1914:
"The Central Hall, Amble, was crowded on the occasion of a public meeting held to consider the alleviation of distress during the war. Mr J H Merivale presided, and Sir Francis Walker, Mr W J Sanderson, jun., of Eastfield Hall, as well as the members of Amble Urban Council, were also present.
Mr Merivale said the Broomhill Collieries had almost entirely an export trade. Last year 88 per cent of their coal was sent abroad. The Government had thought fit to prohibit the exportation of coal. He had no doubt in doing so they had good reasons, and he would not attempt to criticise them. Mr Beckingham had gone to London to try and get this prohibition removed, and as a result the Government had given permission for the exportation of coal to certain countries, viz., Norway and Sweden. So that he hoped they might get some work for their workmen for one or two days a week. But still there would be a great deal of distress, and they were there to see what they could do to alleviate it.
It was decided to join the National Fund, with the Amble UD Council and nine members each from the Newburgh, Broomhill and Chevington lodges as a committee."
No wonder a lot of miners volunteered.