Belgium Refugees

A while back we did a post about the Belgium Refugees who came to Hyde to escape the German's in WW1.  The post turned out to be of interest to many but one person in particular Geert Clerbout who is writing a book and the information was very helpful

Geert writes; "As promised, I send you a little information on Malines in the first days of the war. This was the reason why all those people fled. Some of them ended up in Hyde, as you know of course.

Malines is a Belgian city between Antwerp and the capital Brussels. In 1914 about 60.000 people lived in Malines. On August 4, 1914, Germany declared war to Belgium. The same day the army of the emperor invaded the country. The Belgian army had to pull back time after time and finally decided to defend the National Stronghold Antwerp. Antwerp was protected by two belts of forts. One belt in the outskirts of the city and one somewhat 20 km from the city. The two main forts of this belt were right north of Malines.

The Germans arrived on the outskirts of Malines on the 21st of August. On the 25th they launched the first bombardement. Two days later a new – much more heavy – followed. The Belgians were north of the city, the Germans south. Over a month, Malines was no-mans-land. Almost everyone fled. Some came back during the month of September, but a lot of them stayed away. The people followed the army to Antwerp, but they were not allowed to stay there. Because the government feared that the Germans would try to starve the city (they cut of all the lines to provide and the Schelde was closed because Holland was neutral), all the civilians who did not live in Antwerp, had to go. Therefore, most people of Malines continued there exodus to Ghent. The people there were very kind. Over 10.000 people of Malines could stay in Ghent. From there, the maire and a member of the council of Malines, arranged that the people could cross to England. And the rest of the story you know of course. Some came back after the installation of the German occupation, but most of the people did not come back until after the war.

The people were so afraid of the Germans. When refugees from Leuven (Louvain) came to Malines and talked about the murders, the raping and the burning of the university library  everybody was in complete panic. They took everything they could and left after the first bombs fell. It was really an exodus. It would take until the 28th of September before the Germans finally occupied the city.

 Malines was heavily damaged during the war. It was of course famous because of the Sint Rombout cathedral, but it dit not suffer that much. Malines was also the city of the archbishop of Belgium, cardinal Mercier. He played an important role during the war and is famous for his pastoral letters against in which he condemned the German occupation.

 The American journalist Alexander Powell visited Malines in September and described it as a ghost city:

 “I cannot imagine that I ever experienced a moment so eerie then my veiled visit to Malines. The city was so quiet and desolate as a graveyard. No man was to be seen and whilst we advanced carefully through the narrow windy streets, the beating of the engine echoed against the deserted houses”

It is estimated that about 250.000 Belgians crossed the Channel in 1914.

It is just a little information, but it gives you an idea why the people of Malines fled in August and September 1914. I hope it is interesting to you. If you can find any more information/pictures, I’ll be glad to hear from you.  Geert"


If you have anything to add, pictures, or information I would gladly pass it on to Geert.

Hyde In War Time (1914-16) Page13-14

SUCCOURING HOMELESS BELGIANS.

CHURCHES', ETC.,

MAGNIFICENT HOSPITALITY.

When the refugees arrived arrangements were already in hand for housing and maintaining them. Practically every church in the borough, and private individuals, took a share in this excellent work, and vied with each other in providing the most comfortable and cosy homes for the guests whom they had promised to support, and, when one reflects on the thoughtful consideration and admirable enthusiasm evinced by all sections of the community in this self -sect sacrificing work, of the anxious planning and scheming so that nothing should be wanting from the newly-furnished households, one thrills with pride in being connected with such a glorious effort of practical Christianity.

The total number of refugees was 137, all Belgians except two, who were of French nationality. They were provided for by the following at the addresses named:-
ASHTON ROAD U.M.C. Married couple and two children = 4. At 1 Turner Fold, Newton.
BARON ASHTON & MISS ASHTON. Man and two daughters; woman and two daughters = 6. At 32 Well Meadow, Flowery Field.
COMMITTEE OF ASHTON BROS‘. MANAGERS ; Man, wife, three daughters, and another Belgian = 6. At 20 Mulberry Street, Flowery Field.
MR. VAN AALTEN TOWN HALL BUILDINGS: Married couple, and three children = 5. At Werneth Hall Cottages Gee Cross.
MRS. JOSEPH ADAMSON'S COMMITTEE: Married couple and three daughters = 5. At 290 Mottram Road, Godley.
GEORGE STREET U.M.C. & HOVILEY BROW PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH: Married couple and three children = 5. At 24 Union Street, Hyde.
GEE CROSS WESLEYANS; Married couple and daughter = 3. At 5, Elm Grove, Hyde.
HYDE WESLEYAN CHURCH; Married couple, daughter and son-in-law = 4. Housed at 16 Port Street, Hyde.
HYDE P. S.A.; Mother and daughter = 2. At 22 Croft Street, Hyde
HYDE CHAPLE, GEE CROSS; Married couple and 7 children = 9. Slater's Farm, Gee Cross.
HYDE ST. GEORGE'S; Mother (whose husband was a prisoner of war in Germany) and nine children = 10. Town Hall Buildings, Hyde.
HYDE Y.M.C.A. Married couple and son = 3 At 3 Port Street, Hyde.
HOLY TRINITY, GEE CROSS; Married couple and boy = 3. Joel Lane, Gee Cross.
JOEL LANE PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL; Married couple and one child = 3. At 299 Stockport Road, Gee Cross.
MR. T. KERFOOT, POLE BANK; Man, wife, mother-in-law, and two children = 5. At 3 Harrison Street, Gee Cross.
MUSLIN STREET U.M. CHURCH; Married couple and five children = 7. At 120 Muslin Street, Newton.
St. MARY'S, NEWTON : Widow, married couple and two children = 5 At 36 Shaw Hall, Newton Hall.
NEWTON WESLEYAN CHURCH; Man and his stepsister = 2 Commercial Brow, Newton.

ROSEMOUNT PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, NEWTON. Married Couple and one child; a young man; married couple and two children;: another married couple; a young woman = 11. Rosemount School.

ST. JOHN‘S, GODLEY : Mother, three sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchild = 6. Highfield Farm, Godley.

SLACK MILLS Married couple and two children = 4. Ash Fold, Gee Gross.

ST. THOMAS’S CHURCH: Married woman (husband a prisoner of way in Germany), her two childen, and her two sisters = 5. At 24, Fairbrother Street, Hyde.

ST. PAUL’S NEWTON: Members of for different families; in all 12. Hamilton House, Water Street, Hyde.

ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH FLOWERY FIELD; Married couple and two children, married couple and one child = 7. St. Stephen’s Institute.

UNION STREET CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH; Married couple and two children = 4. At 45 Fairbrother Street.

MISS WHITWORTH, BONNYFIELDS, GODLEY; One young woman. Bonnyfields Farm.

THE MAYOR’S BELGIAN SCHEME (Continued).

Many excellent pieces of furniture were made by the Belgians, including sideboards and cabinets, and when a representative of the “North Cheshire Herald” visited the refugees’ workshop, early in January 1915, he found eighteen Belgium men and youths in the large room. One was operating a cirular saw; another was turning table legs; a third was engaged on some beautiful carving, whilst others were busy dovetailing, etc. This splendid scheme, which became known throughout England, and was “copied” in many parts of the country, was continued for a few months, until, with the great call for munition-making, the departure of more and more men for the British Army, and general improvement in trade, coupled with the scarcity of home labour, it was found possible, and even expedient, to divert Belgian refugee labour into the ordinary channels amongs us. It is hope, when the war is over, and the Belgians return to their own country, they take back with them furniture made by themselves whilst in England. One can well imagine how, generations hence, the young people of Belgium will deeply revere the chest of drawers, the table, or the rocking-chair made in England by their refugee ancestors during the Great War. What an honoured place such articles will occupy in Belgian homes - and, it may also be said, in English homes - fifty or a hundred years hence!

One of the articles made at the works was a lovely solid-oak cabinet, which was presented on Christmas Eve, 1914, to Miss Welch, daughter of the Mayor and Mayoress, by the Belgians in Hyde. On a table attached to the cabinet, the following inscription is carved in Flemish; - “Presented to the Burgomaster’s daughter, from the Belgian refugees.” This cabinet is now a highly- valued souvenir in Councillor Welch’s domestic castle, and will remain so for generations.

BELGIAN
WEDDING BELLS

At St. Stephen’s Church Flowery field, on Monday, the 28th December, 1914, there took place a wedding of more then ordinary interest, for both the bride and bridegroom were Belgian refugees in Hyde. They were Anne Marie Schippers and Gustaaf Vervoorst. The Rev. F.H. Coveney, then Curate-in-Charge of St. Stephen’s, preformed the ceremony, and once more the services of Mr. Van Aalten were obtained as interpreter. The Mayor (Councillor Welch) accompanied the parties to church, and gave the bride away. Other Belgian refugees including to from Rosemount, with the Rev. H. Ross, Primitive Methodist minister, were at the wedding. After the ceremony, the bride and bridegroom were driven to Marple, where they were entertained by Councillor and Mrs. Welch at their home. In the evening, there was a reception at Rosemount School, Newton. In accordance with custom, the bride and bridegroom were given numerous wedding presents.

Hyde In War Time (1914-16) Pages11-12

Succouring Homeless Belgians.

TERRIFYING
EXPERIENCES.

Several of the refugees told of terrifying incidents they had experienced or before fleeing out of their country. One of them, a girl of sixteen, had the windows of her bedroom smashed the night before she left Malines by splinters from German shells. In hurriedly escaping, she fell into a dyke, but fortunately was rescued by her father. One of the men refugees had seen a Civilian in Malines with a bayonet stabbed through his heart done by a murderous German. The house of another refugee, at Malines, was destroyed by a German bomb before they left. but this man (who find a wife and seven children) and his family happened to be out at the time, otherwise they might have been killed.

MORE REFUGEES
ARRIVE.

A second party of thirty-nine Belgian refugees arrived before six o-clock on the evening of Friday the 16th October; while on the following morning nineteen were brought from Manchester in motor cars belonging to several Hyde gentlemen. This made exactly a hundred up to that time. The thirty-nine were received at the station, and were conveyed in motors to the old Hospital. Similar scenes were witnessed as on the previous occasion, although it was only a few hours before their arrival that the Mayor received a telegram that were travelling by train from London. As the pitiable bundles of humanity, helpless and careworn, emerged from the station, one eyes grew misty, and many a handkerchief stole up to the faces of the onlookers to brush aside the tears of sympathy that welled up from overflowing hearts.

Among the thirty nine was an old man of 72 years, whose relatives, it was stated, had all been killed of were missing. There he stood, dazed and stupefied, with farrowed brow and stooping mien ; with wisps of grey hair, which he tremblingly pushed back from straggling across his forehead. But for the cruel Huns he have been ensconced near the fire, listening to the lisping of his grandchildren, as they played about his chair, instead of which he had been buffeted from pillar to past, through long nights and days as he pressed with the crowd to Ostend.

There were two little babies in aims, one apparently four or five months' old, the other seven or eight months. These precious little Belgian bairns in innocent and perfectly unconscious wonderment, gazed at their benefactors as they were tenderly carried from the platform to a motor car by two prominent townsmen. It was pathetic to see the Belgian women and to note their silent gratitude for having been delivered from the risk of German violence and outrage, which was so rampant in the early months of the war.

About the beginning of December, there arrived at Hyde nearly thirty more, including a young women of 22, with her two babies, aged two years and one year car respectively, her husband being a prisoner in Germany; and a married woman with nine children - the eldest twenty years of age, the youngest twenty months, - whose husbands was also in the hands of the Germans.

THE MAYOR’S BELGIAN SCHEME. - REFUGEES AT WORK.

After this country had become the host of tens of thousands of Belgian refugees, there soon arose the problem of how to provide these unfortunate people with employment. In the last two or three months of 1914, work was none to plentiful in England, even for our own countrymen, consequently, if any of the refugees were found ordinary employment, there was the danger of some of our own people being displaced. At this juncture, our worthy Mayor (Councillor Stanley Welch, who had succeeded Alderman Hinchcliffe, Brooke), devised a scheme for providing work for the refugees without interfeing with the employment of our own inhabitants. The underlying principle was that the Belgian males should be employed making furniture for themselves. As the contents of many of their homes in Belgium had been smashed by the German shells, it was recognised that great numbers of new homes would have to be set up, and huge quantities of furniture would be required to furnish them. Among the refugees in Hyde were craftsmen skilled in wood carving and joinery. Through the courtesy of Messrs. J. and J. Ashton, whose cotton factory adjoins Messrs. Jacobsen and Welch’s Newton Mill, the Mayor had the disposal of a large room, which he equipped as a workshop for the Belgians.

Hyde In War Time (1914-16) page 9-10

Succouring Homeless Belgians.

FIRE AND SWORD
IN BELGIUM.

During the first few weeks of the war the Prussian hordes swept through Belgium, murdering the inhabitants, and pillaging and destroying its Churches and public buildings, Men were ruthlessly butchered, and women and children violated, till the land, drenched with blood, became a shambles and a charnel house. Tens of thousands fled before the occurring scourge, leaving everything behind, and anxiously pressed towards the coast, with the pitiful words on their lips, “When will the British come? Great numbers of these were conveyed across the Channel to England and safely. The immediate problem was to shelter and feed them, for they were destitute of everything except the clothing they had ion, and what could be carried in bundles. The then Mayor of Hyde, Alderman Hinchcliffe Brooke, at a meeting of the Town Council, on the 12th October, 1914, announced that he had received a telegram from London, stating that large, numbers, of Belgian refugees were arriving in this country, and that offers of hospitality, would be welcomed. He stated he had replied to the effect that the town would warmly welcome 150 refugees. The Town Clerk (Mr. Thomas Brownson B.A), who was indefatigable in his efforts, announced that already the people of various places of worship in the Borough had offered to make prevision for housing them, ant several subscriptions for a local Belgian Refugee Fund had been received. Mr. E. J, Cobbett ably acted as secretary of the scheme.

HEARTBREAKING
SCENES

On Wednesday, October 14th, shortly before six p.m. the first hatch of Belgian refugees arrived at the train station. Their arrival was accompanied by scenes and incidents never to be forgotten. The writer was on the platform when the train conveying the refugees pulled up in the station. Words fail to describe one’s feelings at the time. Here were forty Belgians, not one of whom could speak a word of English, driven from their land of their fathers, and from all their old and venerated associations; placing themselves unreservedly at the mercy of the inhabitants of Hyde, On the platform, to welcome the fugitives. were the Mayor and Mayoress, the Town Clerk, and other prominent townspeople; while Great Norbury Street, in the vicinity of the station, was packed with people, it having been made generally known in the town during the previous few hours the Belgian refugees were expected to arrive. The party comprised twelve men, fifteen women, and fifteen children, - a total of 42. Some had had their homes smashed by German shells; all had had to leave hurriedly, and the few priceless relics they retained were carried in their hands, wrapped in tablecloths and large coloured handkerchief. Poor stricken humanity, it was pitiable to see them as they emerged from the saloon carriage, and wearily stepped on to the platform, sticking to their bundles as if their lives depended upon the contents. Mr. Van Aalten, a well known Hyde tradesman; and Father Marrs, of St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church. Hyde, both had sufficient knowledge of the Flemish language to hold conversation with the refugees, paved the way for enabling them to understand the arrangements made. All of them seemed to belong to the working class, or peasantry. The eldest refugee was a lady of about seventy years, the youngest a child of about eighteen months, in the arms of it mother. A young woman among them sob bitterly, and it was stated she had lost both her parents. Onlookers were moved to tears. As the refugees were emerging out the station at the front entrance, a Corporation junior clerk waved the Belgian flag, and several Hyde young women fervently kissed the Belgian children. The refugees were taken to the old Hospital, at Gee Cross, in motor cars provided by friends. The refugees were taken up to the Hospital, having had a wash and “brush up” their were welcomed in a few cheering words by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. Van Aalten acting as interpreter), and then were feasted with a good meal of potato pie, which evidently they greatly needed. One of the families comprised father, mother, and seven children; another, the parents and five children. They were “housed” at the old Hospital for a day or two, pending the preparation of more permanent accommodation for them in various parts of the town. With two or three exceptions, from Antwerp, the whole of the refugees were from Malines.

GROUP OF BELGIAN REFUGEES AND TOWN OFFICIALS
 AT THE OLD HOSPITAL

Centre: Councillor and Mrs. Hinchcliffe Brooke (Mayor and Mayoress) and Miss Brooke. At the back: Councillor W. Fowden (Chairman, Sanitary Committee.) Mr. T Brownson, B.A. (Town Clark), and Miss Pristley (Matron). Left: Mr. Van Aalten (Interpreter.) Right: Councillor T. Middleton.