Post by BereniceUK on Apr 18, 2017 17:44:23 GMT
Flight from Antwerp.
Spent Night in a Cellar.
Belgian Refugees Arrive in Morecambe.
Councillor and Mrs. Escolme's Hospitality.
A party of six Belgians, consisting of a lady and gentleman, their two daughters, a son-in-law, and grandchild, arrived in Morecambe on Monday afternoon, having fled from Antwerp last Thursday owing to the bombardment of the port by the Germans.
The married daughter is a friend of Miss Escolme, daughter of Councillor and Mrs. Escolme, of Moss House, the two having been at school together in Belgium, and some time ago an invitation from Councillor and Mrs. Escolme was extended to the family to accept their hospitality in Morecambe should it be necessary for them to leave their own country.
Until recently they had felt comparatively safe in Antwerp and, as a matter of fact, had been assured by the authorities that that was so, but as is only too well known now the Germans commenced the bombardment of the town a few days ago, and it has now fallen into their hands. Miss Escolme's friends remained as long as it was safe for them to do so, although they had to spend one night in the cellar of their home in order to be as far as possible out of the way of the shells from the German guns.
On Thursday they found it absolutely impossible to remain longer and made a hurried departure leaving behind all their possessions except practically all the clothes they wore. They proceeded to Flushing, and thence to Folkestone, and on to London, remaining there over the weekend before coming on to Morecambe. When they left Antwerp their home was still intact, but since then they have had no news of it, and they hardly hope to ever see it again.
Miss Escolme's school friend has a brother fighting for his country, and she and her parents are in some anxiety as to whether he is still alive, for it is some time since they heard from him. Her husband, too, has five brothers, four of whom are soldiers, and they only know the whereabouts of two.
Early yesterday morning the Mayor (Councillor Coulthurst) paid them a visit and offered them a hearty welcome on behalf of the town, remarking that the people of Morecambe were pleased to have them in Morecambe, but regretted the circumstances which brought them here.
Councillor Escolme has made them very comfortable and with his customary hospitality has told them they must make up their minds to have their Christmas dinner with him at Moss House.
(Morecambe Visitor, 14 October 1914)
____________________________________________________________
(Morecambe Visitor, 28 October 1914)
____________________________________________________________
"WELCOME!!"
(To the Refugees)
Welcome! Belgians to our land,
To our homes and cities,
Cruel sufferings demand
Safety with its pities;
Here in England you are free
From inhuman dangers,
And with hearty good-will we
Greet such friendly strangers.
'Tis for you our men wage war
'Gainst a boastful nation,
Which has punishment in store
For its degradation;
You have seen the fearful sights
Wrought by foul destroyment,
Future shall restore your rights,
Justice craves fulfilment.
Welcome! strangers to our homes
And a new existence,
Hundreds speak in friendly tones
Offering assistance;
May your stay with us be long,
Happy in duration,
Soon will God avenge the wrong
Which befalls your nation.
N.T.
[Note. - The author of the above kindly requests any friends who can to translate and read the verses to refeugees they know.]
(Morecambe Visitor, 28 October 1914)
____________________________________________________________
Morecambe's Kindness to Belgian Refugees
Evoke Sincere Expressions of Thanks.
We print below a letter of appreciation from Belgian refugees. The letter is in English and French.
We, the Belgian Refuges living in Balmoral-road, heartily thank the Honourable Committee of Morecambe for the kindness and expressions of sympathy which they have shown for us. We feel our debt of gratitude is more than we can ever repay.
"We should like especially to thank Dr. Watterson. Since the day of our arrival he has never ceased to give us his kind services, of which so many of us stood in dire need after the horrible nightmare through which we had passed.
In conclusion, may we express our thanks for the constant efforts of the Committee in finding employment for the men amongst us, and also our deepest gratitude to the sympathetic population of Morecambe. - Yours gratefully,
THE BELGIAN FAMILIES."
(Morecambe Visitor, 30 April 1915)
Spent Night in a Cellar.
Belgian Refugees Arrive in Morecambe.
Councillor and Mrs. Escolme's Hospitality.
A party of six Belgians, consisting of a lady and gentleman, their two daughters, a son-in-law, and grandchild, arrived in Morecambe on Monday afternoon, having fled from Antwerp last Thursday owing to the bombardment of the port by the Germans.
The married daughter is a friend of Miss Escolme, daughter of Councillor and Mrs. Escolme, of Moss House, the two having been at school together in Belgium, and some time ago an invitation from Councillor and Mrs. Escolme was extended to the family to accept their hospitality in Morecambe should it be necessary for them to leave their own country.
Until recently they had felt comparatively safe in Antwerp and, as a matter of fact, had been assured by the authorities that that was so, but as is only too well known now the Germans commenced the bombardment of the town a few days ago, and it has now fallen into their hands. Miss Escolme's friends remained as long as it was safe for them to do so, although they had to spend one night in the cellar of their home in order to be as far as possible out of the way of the shells from the German guns.
On Thursday they found it absolutely impossible to remain longer and made a hurried departure leaving behind all their possessions except practically all the clothes they wore. They proceeded to Flushing, and thence to Folkestone, and on to London, remaining there over the weekend before coming on to Morecambe. When they left Antwerp their home was still intact, but since then they have had no news of it, and they hardly hope to ever see it again.
Miss Escolme's school friend has a brother fighting for his country, and she and her parents are in some anxiety as to whether he is still alive, for it is some time since they heard from him. Her husband, too, has five brothers, four of whom are soldiers, and they only know the whereabouts of two.
Early yesterday morning the Mayor (Councillor Coulthurst) paid them a visit and offered them a hearty welcome on behalf of the town, remarking that the people of Morecambe were pleased to have them in Morecambe, but regretted the circumstances which brought them here.
Councillor Escolme has made them very comfortable and with his customary hospitality has told them they must make up their minds to have their Christmas dinner with him at Moss House.
(Morecambe Visitor, 14 October 1914)
____________________________________________________________
(Morecambe Visitor, 28 October 1914)
____________________________________________________________
"WELCOME!!"
(To the Refugees)
Welcome! Belgians to our land,
To our homes and cities,
Cruel sufferings demand
Safety with its pities;
Here in England you are free
From inhuman dangers,
And with hearty good-will we
Greet such friendly strangers.
'Tis for you our men wage war
'Gainst a boastful nation,
Which has punishment in store
For its degradation;
You have seen the fearful sights
Wrought by foul destroyment,
Future shall restore your rights,
Justice craves fulfilment.
Welcome! strangers to our homes
And a new existence,
Hundreds speak in friendly tones
Offering assistance;
May your stay with us be long,
Happy in duration,
Soon will God avenge the wrong
Which befalls your nation.
N.T.
[Note. - The author of the above kindly requests any friends who can to translate and read the verses to refeugees they know.]
(Morecambe Visitor, 28 October 1914)
____________________________________________________________
Morecambe's Kindness to Belgian Refugees
Evoke Sincere Expressions of Thanks.
We print below a letter of appreciation from Belgian refugees. The letter is in English and French.
We, the Belgian Refuges living in Balmoral-road, heartily thank the Honourable Committee of Morecambe for the kindness and expressions of sympathy which they have shown for us. We feel our debt of gratitude is more than we can ever repay.
"We should like especially to thank Dr. Watterson. Since the day of our arrival he has never ceased to give us his kind services, of which so many of us stood in dire need after the horrible nightmare through which we had passed.
In conclusion, may we express our thanks for the constant efforts of the Committee in finding employment for the men amongst us, and also our deepest gratitude to the sympathetic population of Morecambe. - Yours gratefully,
THE BELGIAN FAMILIES."
(Morecambe Visitor, 30 April 1915)