Newcastle Daily Chronicle 07/04/1920
Comrades of the Great War
Souvenir Exhibition at Whitburn
The Comrades of the Great War have opened a branch in Whitburn. With commendable enterprise they held a war souvenir exhibition in the Barnes Institute. Souvenirs were shown that were both numerous and various, from a bullet to a cobra’s skin. An iron cross was lent, also a German cross that co-incided with the Hartlepool raid. One enthusiastic souvenir hunter exhibited a 5.9 shell that he had brought from France in a hit bag! The pictures painted by Mr. Stenton and drawings by Mr. J. Steel were admired by the large concourse of people who visited the exhibition. Various were the crosses, stones from tombs in Palestine and Egyptian relics. A unique specimen of a bank note, value ½d., which was issued by the Germans in the captured French towns was shown, also a model of a French gentleman brought from France by the late Pte. A. Jackson. The exhibition was undoubtedly a success, and the proceedings closed with a dance, the hall being packed to its utmost capacity. During the proceedings a present of a gold wristlet watch was made to Mrs. Betts, postmistress, subscribed by ex-service men in appreciation of the recipient’s services in instructing the soldiers and dependents as to the methods of receiving the various pensions, etc. allotted by the Government. Mrs. Betts acted the part of adviser to the soldiers’ wives when their husbands were away fighting.
