"The Clerk (to Amble U.D.Council) read a letter from the War Office, which had reference to war trophies, and was to the effect that they had to inform the Council that they had decided, on the recommendation of the Lord Lieutenant for the County of Northumberland, to offer the Council the following captured enemy stores:-1 German machine gun (damaged), 1 German machine gun ammunition box; and 1 machine gun ammunition belt. The cost of the carriage must be borne by the consignee. The letter concluded by saying that it was to be hoped to make a further distribution of stores at an early date."
The Newcastle Daily Chronicle 17/09/1920 reports:
"A couple of German guns which had been presented to the town of Amble, as mementoes of the war, were thrown into a quarry containing water between 40 and 50 feet deep, on Wednesday night. The guns had been placed in a prominent position in the town, and they were removed by some 200 ex-service men who collected for that purpose.
The first gun dealt with, a German howitzer, was situated near to the Harbour, and the workmen had just finished fixing it in position at 5 o'clock that evening, and at 10 o'clock it was in the quarry, the men having removed it from its fastenings and pushed it across the links.
This accomplished, the men proceeded to the west end of the town where another gun had been placed. This was fixed in position about three months ago, and its presence had created a great deal of dissatisfaction in the town. A great crowd watched the displacing of this gun and its progress through the main streets of the town, and thence to the links and the quarry attracted hundreds more.
When the noise of the splash was heard as the second gun fell into the water, a great hurrah went up from the throats of about 2,000 people. The best of order was maintained and although the "gun running" took place in the dark no accident occurred."
