Newcastle Daily Chronicle 19/07/1919
This took place in the large locomotive engine shed at East Cramlington which had been decorated with flags and evergreens, supervised by Capt.T.O. Wood, general manager, and Mrs. Wood. The evergreens were brought from the plantations in which the company had timber-cutting rights during the war.
Catering a table decorations were provided by Messrs. Rainbow and Son Ltd.
Each man was allowed two quarts of ale.
From the company some 1,000 men enlisted, which was 33.72% of those employed in 1914. 152 were killed and five had died since coming home. Distinctions gained included 1 Military Medal and bar; 17 Military Medals; two Cards of Honour and one Belgian Croix-de-Guerre. Captain Wood himself had been mentioned in despatches.
The streets were decorated with six triumphal arches, and almost every house had its own miniature arch.
The bonfire at the colliery, to be lit by Mrs. Wood on Saturday, is the highest by 50 feet of any in the north, including Newcastle.
