Evidence of German Cruelties - Nineteen Refugees Safely Housed
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The nineteen Belgian Guests
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Rushden’s guests, 19 representatives of the gallant little nation of Belgium, that has given and is giving us so much valuable assistance in our struggle against the Kaiser and his legions, arrived in Rushden on Monday by the 4.30 train.
Never for one moment was their welcome in doubt. We feel pleased and proud that we are able to find food, clothing, and a roof for those who have given us all they hold dear, in our combined defence of the cause of freedom and justice. A fair number of townsfolk assembled at the station to give them a welcome, and a number of boot operatives who had assembled outside Mr. Allebone’s factory could not forbear to cheer as the little band passed by to the home provided for them.
And yet there was something pathetic about it all, and this was brought home poignantly to many who witnessed the arrival of the refugees, by the sight of a poor old Belgian lady, down whose cheeks the tears were streaming, as she was assisted to alight from the railway carriage. The sight toughed many a responsive chord in the hearts of the onlookers, and nobody was ashamed of the tears that welled to their eyes at this touching incident. This poor old lady is 76 years of age, and is accompanied by her grandson.
Amongst the refugees is also
who was wounded in the battle of Furnes by shrapnel. He proudly displays scars on his head and left leg to a representative of the “Rushden Echo,” and also showed a souvenir given him by an English soldier, in the shape of a regimental badge, of which he is very proud and which he wears on his watch. This Belgian soldat appeared to the “Rushden Echo” representative to be the life of the party ; in fact, he is toujours gai, none of his unpleasant experiences having apparently damped his spirits. By trade he is a slipper maker, and was considerably amused when it was explained to him that he was described on his registration papers as a builder.
The party also includes one or two bootmakers, a gardener, a gas fitter, and a bookbinder. The composition of the party is as follows :- A man, wife, and 3 children; a man with his sister and mother; a soldier; a man and wife, with two sons and one daughter, a man and his grandmother; a father and daughter; and a single man.
Amongst the company present at the station to meet the refugees were Messrs. J. S. Clipson, J.P., F. Knight, J.P., R. F. Knight, W. M. Hensman, T. W. C. Linnitt, Father O’Gorman, etc.
The refugees were taken straight to the comfortable home provided for them, where they were provided with their first meal, consisting of hot Bovril, bread and butter, and cakes. We understand their daily meals will be as follows :-
Breakfast, café au lait, bread and butter; dinner, soup, meat and vegetables; supper, café au lait and bread and butter.
Valuable assistance was rendered the committee on Monday by Mons. Roofthooft, a Belgian gentleman who is the guest of Miss Whitehead at Shelton. Although he has been in England but two or three weeks Mons. Roofthooft can make himself easily understood in English, and on Monday rendered incalculable service as interpreter.
One of the refugees, Mr. De Vries, asked by a “Rushden Echo” representative whether he had seen any of the
with which the German soldiers are so freely charged, replied, in a mixture of French and broken English, that he had himself seen little children killed by the Germans at Malines (Mechlin). He added that he knew many cases in which the German soldiers had entered the houses of the people and had taken away their clothing and other articles.
The wounded soldier, in answer to our representative’s questions, said in French that he felt a great deal better now. The wound in the cheek was healing, and the wound in the leg was going on very satisfactorily. The injury to the face had, however, impaired his hearing, and he could not yet hear very well. He liked England very much indeed, he added. After being injured, he was taken to a hospital in Antwerp. It was near Ostend that he met with his wounds. He saw a great deal of fighting and took part in many battles.
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'Stonehurst' - it became known as the Belgian House
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“Have you yourself seen any
on the part of the Germans?” asked our reporter.
“Yes, indeed I have,” he answered, “I have seen wounded soldiers of the Allied forces lying helpless on the ground, and the Germans have bayoneted them and killed them.”
The premises in which our Belgian guests are being entertained is admirably adapted for the purpose. The members of the House Committee of the Rushden Belgian Relief Committee have worked magnificently to get everything in order for the reception of the refugees. Seven bedrooms have been furnished, plainly but comfortably; there are two sitting rooms downstairs; a bathroom is available; and there is a spacious room in the yard, which can be used as a dining room, recreation room, etc. A kitchen garden at the rear will probably provide work for some of the men. Nearly all the bedsteads for the guests have been given or lent. Mr. Bert Sanders, of Messrs. Whiting and Co., has promised to lend a piano for the house for an indefinite time.
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The Rushden Echo, 25th December 1914, transcribed by Jim Hollis
Belgian Guests at Rushden
Refugee’s Glowing Tribute to Local Hospitality - To The Editor of The “Rushden Echo”
Christmas Day will soon be here, and at this time of the year, in all countries, is produced a revival of good wishes, when all our little errors are pardoned, thus giving birth to the best conjugal reconciliation. It is also a time when one makes an effort to devote oneself to these annual writings with the aim of giving satisfaction to their parents, aunts, uncles, and numerous friends, by sending them agreeable little cards replete with respectful and affable sentiments and also their best wishes.
Alas ! the Belgian refugees in England are this year deprived of this charm that they held so dear, because their parents, relations, and friends are even now in a distressed and dangerous country with no means permitted them of comforting their people by these old traditions. Yet our duty prescribes that we must not alarm ourselves, and that we think at the same time of those that have given us evidences of all their sympathy since Nov. 2nd, the date we were made welcome to Rushden.
Also I am authorised by the Belgian refugees in Rushden to address the people of this locality on their behalf, to witness our acknowledgment and our wishes of gladness for Christmas.
Respecting the committee formed for the refugees, my pen cannot trace here the feelings of gratitude and thanks which we feel to them when we think of the tediousness, the pains, and the invaluable devotion they have made for us since our arrival, and I must not miss the occasion that I have to-day of making a most respectful eulogy for the ardent hospitality which we received. The establishment placed at our disposal is entirely desirable in this respect. It is comfortable, large, and well aired, and we have everything necessary to mitigate our painful situation. We have proper and well-arranged dormitories, a large dining room where we can take our meals in comfort, some warm sitting rooms, and different kinds of games to pass our leisure time agreeably, and where we are daily visited by the members of the honourable and worthy committee, who, at all hours of the day, without ceasing, interest themselves in our trying situation.
I render homage and our most sincere gratitude to our kind matron, Madame Bishton, who with all the valued aptitudes is at all times a precious interpreter for us, and always gives us motherly care which passes all limits.
In one word, we acknowledge that the endeavours of our benefactors are untiring and that we have found ourselves impotent to describe the expressions that should be necessary for paying this high debt. Surely our sojourn in England will be regarded by us with everlasting and sweet thoughts. It is to be believed that one day we shall be recalled to our native country and this will be good tidings, and the large-heartedness that we bear towards you when we separate from you and you speak a lasting and unforgettable “Au revoir.”
I finish this letter to you by wishing you a happy and joyous Christmas and a very sincere thanks of
A REFUGEE.
Rushden Dec. 22nd
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| Belgian Salvationist's Future—In honour of the return to Rushden of Miss Louie Biefnot after a visit to her parents in Belgium, and also to welcome back home Songster-Leader Jack Dix, demobilised after 3½ years' service in the Navy, a "welcome home" meeting was held on Sunday evening at the Salvation Army Barracks. Suitable selections were given by the band. Miss Biefnot will shortly go to a Salvation Army Training College to train as an officer. |
The Rushden Echo, 8th January, 1915, transcribed by Jim Hollis
Our Belgian Guests - New Year’s Party at Rushden
Higham and Rushden Refugees Fraternise - Speech by The Chairman of The Rushden Committee
The opening of 1915 was celebrated at the Belgian House, Rushden, on Friday last, when, at the kind invitation of “Madame Bishton,” as her charges affectionately call her, the Higham Belgian refugees came over to meet those of their compatriots who are receiving hospitality at Rushden. The Higham visitors were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. T. H. A. Beetenson and Mr. Twissell, of the Higham Belgian Relief Committee. An enjoyable concert was given, the items including the Belgian Tango danced by Mdlle. Leontine and M. Joseph. Songs were contributed by M. Robert Goffard and a humorous number by M. C. Devries. La Marseillaise and La Brabancomme were amongst the most enjoyable numbers, the whole company joining in the choruses. Solos were given by Mr. J. Bishton and Mr. W. Desborough. Mr. Cecil Sargent accompanied the songs, and Miss Mabel Bishton played for dancing. During the interval the chairman of the Rushden committee, Councillor J. S. Clipson, J.P., addressed the assembly, his remarks being interpreted by M. Devries. His address was as follows:-
I should like, at this juncture, to briefly acknowledge the courteous letter which has been addressed by one of your number on behalf of our Belgian friends, through the local Press, to the people of Rushden. If I may be allowed to speak on behalf of the local committee, I would say that all of them are delighted to know that you feel so comfortable amongst us. Any trouble that the members of the committee have given themselves on your behalf has been amply repaid by the grateful way in which you have accepted the hospitality provided by the townspeople, and by being able to restore to you some measure of that comfort and happiness of which you have so wrongfully been deprived. Like yourselves, we are highly gratified with the desirable residence, which through the generosity of Messrs. Phipps, we have been able to place at your disposal. Our thanks are due to them, and also to all those who have lent and given the many articles of furniture, etc., necessary for your use, as well as to all those of our citizens, from the lowest to the highest, who are giving according to their means towards the upkeep of this establishment. We are glad that you appreciate the untiring efforts of your matron, Mrs. Bishton. We also highly appreciate her help, and I think that the smoothness with which the home has progressed, and the ready way in which you have been able to settle down, is in no small measure due to our being able to secure the services of such a one as Mrs. Bishton, who understands your language, and your manners and customs so well. In conclusion, I am sure that I voice the feelings of the townspeople of Rushden, from the largest benefactors down to the lowliest girl who is contributing her pence week by week in the factory, when I express the wish that this year 1915 may be a brighter one for you all than the past has been, that it may see your homeland freed from the cruel grip of the invader, and that you, with your fellow countrymen, may be enabled to commence the great task of rebuilding your wasted homes and fortunes. Meanwhile we assure you of our unabated sympathy, and trust your stay in our midst may be one of increasing happiness and goodwill. (Applause).
Thanks were heartily accorded all who in any way had contributed to the success of the evening.
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