Whitley Seaside Chronicle and Visitors' Gazette Saturday 09/01/1915 'CULLERCOATS SOLDIER'S GRATITUDE

Private S. Emmerton, Coldstream Guards, has sent the following letter to Miss Violet Meikle, of 11a, Dove Street, Cullercoats:-

"Dear Miss Violet Meikle,-
I just write you these few lines to thank you very kindly for your parcel, which I received on January 2nd. We had just come out of the trenches wet to the skin. I can tell you I was very thankful when I received your parcel. I am sure it must have been very tedious work for to do all that knitting after school hours. But I am very proud to see that your parents have taught you to be so good at your early time of life. I don't know how much to thank you for your kindness. I only hope that I may be spared to return safe home to see the young lady who has been so kind. God Bless you for your kindness to me. Would you be so kind as to ask the Vicar of Cullercoats if he will offer up a special prayer for me and my comrades of the Coldstream Guards. Mrs Emmerton, my wife, lives at No. 5 Belle Vue Street, Cullercoats. Will you tell her I received your lovely parcel. I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year. Thanking you very much indeed, from a true British Soldier. A letter out here is as good as a £5 note to cheer us up at times. Well, Good-bye, and God bless you all."

Whitley Seaside Chronicle and Visitors' Gazette Saturday 10/07/1915
'A DEAD MAN'S RETURN FROM THE FRONT

We have received the following communication from Private S. Emmerton, 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards, 5, Belle Vue Street, Cullercoats, who arrived home from France on Monday last on furlough, and left for the Front again yesterday.

It was in September of last year, that Mrs Emmerton received from the officer in charge of the Records, War Office, the certificate of her husband's death in action in France, so that her joy on again seeing her husband in the flesh can well be imagined, though she had, of course, later information as to his safety.

Says Private Emmerton, in his own words:

"I came home from France on Monday for a few days' leave to see my dear wife and little ones, and when I sat down to dinner my wife gave me a souvenir as I called it - my own death certificate to read, but I thank God I am still spared to comfort them.

I also wish to thank all the people of Cullercoats for the kind way in which I was received, and above all I wish to thank Mr and Mrs Meikle and family for their kindness to me last Christmas, especially from their little daughter Violet Meikle, who has been exceedingly kind to her soldier friend, which shall never be forgotten by me.

I see for myself that Cullercoats has responded well to the call of our country, but I think we could spare a few more fine young fellows from Whitley Bay, so next time there is a rally, 'Roll up Whitley,' and help your comrades in France who need you all."