Langholm 1915

Postscript: summary of 1915

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  • The war
  • Trade
  • Municipal affairs
  • Parish affairs
  • School Board
  • Sport
  • The Common Riding
  • Vital statistics

The following is a summary of the Eskdale & Liddesdale Advertiser’s overview of 1915 (5th January 1916).

The War

The E&L’s Roll of Honour consists of 690 names of servicemen with close connections to households in the Esk and Liddle valleys, with at least 50 dead and 83 wounded. Local door-to-door collections raised £238 (£21,000 today) for the Comforts Committee and 627 parcels were sent, in addition to hundreds of garments from ‘Sister Susies’, an affectionate wartime term for women supporting the war effort on the home front.

Part of the E&L’s Roll of Honour, 7th June 1916

Trade

The first quarter was busy for the mills with orders from the government and allies, and was subsequently steady. The new Gretna munitions works took many labourers from Langholm in the last two months.

Gretna munitions workers

Municipal affairs

The main items were roads, bailie Montgomery’s resignation, sewage negotiations with the County Council, and rate levels.

Parish affairs

The primary topics of discussion were property valuations and rate levels, payments from legacies, and the poor roll, numbering 44 in total, of which 17 were resident and 8 chargeable to other parishes.

James Morrison, parish Inspector of the Poor since 1896

School Board

There were two staff changes. Seventy-five pupils received attendance prizes. The school’s highest prize, the Dux medal, was awarded to Mary Dinwoodie. The school Roll of Honour for military service has 320 names, including 18 commissioned officers. The sum of £1,120 (£95,000 today) was requisitioned from the parish council to cover the estimated School Board deficit.

Langholm Academy, 1910

Sport

There was no football, no cricket, and only limited tournament bowling. Langholm New Club (lawn bowls) resolved to purchase its rented green from the Duke of Buccleuch.

Langholm New Town bowling green, 1920; Academy in background

The Common Riding

The modified event was a success, after initial cancellation and subsequent controversy about whether it should take place.

Common Riding, July 1915

Vital statistics

There were 47 births, 17 marriages and 57 deaths. Deaths of note were those of John Telford, blacksmith; William Murray, Buccleuch Terrace; John Jardine, grocer; Adam Linton, shepherd; John Bruce, tweed finisher; Miss Cunningham, Brooklyn Cottage; and William Pendreigh, coal agent.

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