Heroes Honoured at Chester-le-Street
Transcript of article from the Durham Chronicle
Appeal for DLI Prisoners of War
An entertainment which was made to serve several purposes took place at the Empire Theatre, Chester-le-Street, on Thursday evening, and was a most gratifying success. Mrs Hale, the Hermitage, had originally arranged the entertainment in aid of the DLI Prisoners of War Fund. The opportune arrival of Private Arthur Leggett, 8th DLI, from Germany, after three years’ captivity, and the presence on leave of Private J McLaverty, Royal Marines, after having taken part in the Zeebrugge, was taken advantage of to make presentations. The three attractions together served to pack the house. The presentations were made during an interval in the programme, and in each case a gold watch was given. On the stage were the two returned heroes, Mrs Shafto, Durham, hon secretary of the DLI Prisoners of War Fund, Mr RE Hale, Mr J Russell, chairman of the Urban Council, and Mr JT Saunders, who was largely responsible for the presentations. Mr Russell thanked Mrs Hale for having granted a few minutes for the purpose of making these presentations. The presentation to Private Leggett would be made by Mrs Shafto who had done such admirable work for the last three years for the prisoners of war. He personally had great pleasure in making the presentation to Private McLaverty as some small recognition of the heroic deeds performed at sea, as distinguished from the deeds they had hitherto been accustomed in Chester-le-Street. McLaverty had been engaged in one of the one the most eventful and naval encounters ever chronicled in our time (applause).
McLaverty, in acknowledging the gift, said like every other British soldier and sailor who took part in the Zeebrugge raid he only did his duty (loud applause).
Mrs Shafto, in making the presentation to Private Leggett, congratulated him heartily on having got out of the hands of the Huns, and pleaded on behalf of the poor lads who were still in their power. A fortnight ago there were 700 men of the Durham Light Infantry in their hands. Three parcels were sent to each one every fortnight, and as each parcel cost about 10s, it meant that they must send 4200 parcels per month at a cost of £2000. Bread was sent from Switzerland or Copenhagen, according to the situation of the camp, and this cost 7s 6d per month. This was a large drain on their resources, but the whole of the work was done voluntarily, and the money was all spent absolutely on parcels. She had the sad news that during the past fortnight, about 180 men of the DLI had been added to the list of prisoners, and accordingly, their needs were very much greater. At the same time they always remembered that they had Durham county, Durham towns, and Durham villages, to support them, and that they had never forgotten the men who had done so much and suffered so much. These last men were taken because they would not retire, as for them to have done so might have caused a disaster to another part of the line. Most of them were wounded when captured. She was sure that every man and woman would subscribe to enable the committee to keep these men supplied with food. Germany was getting more and more short on food, and the parcels must continue to go out to our men. The committee would never falter. They knew they would get the money, because they knew how proud Durham was of the men of the DLI (loud applause).
Private Leggett said he could not say how grateful he was that night for the manner in which he had been welcomed home. He was only sorry that the rest of the Chester lads were not present with him (loud applause).
The entertainment itself was of a very high order, and was contributed to by Miss T Cooper, Miss Ethelwyn Cowper, Miss Dorothy Forster, Lieutenants L Retallack and Ellis, Corporal Hallmark, Drummer Reg Barrett, and Mr Douchy Carcel; while there was a screamingly funny farce, entitled ‘Always Tell Your Wife’, by Seymour Hicks, played by Mrs HC Eden, Miss BM Whitehead, and Captain Stanley Hicks (Stanley Brett). The Durham War Charities Orchestra was assisted by members of the Elisabethville orchestra.
Date: 17-May-1918
Reference: D/WP 2/63, Microfilm M57/58
Where to find this: Durham County Record Office
Contributed by Durham County Record Office
