The Capture of Holy Island

FREEMEN CELEBRATING

There is a folder among the archives at Moor Bank Lodge labelled Coronation but it doesn’t refer to Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation, rather to that of her parents King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937. George’s father George V died in 1936 and was succeeded by his eldest son Edward VIII. Edward was popular with many people because of his service in WW1 (although not on the front line) and his visits to deprived areas of the country during the Depression of the early 1930s. However, his party-going life style and a series of affairs with married women, which were not of course public knowledge, meant that he wasn’t trusted by the government. Edward abdicated in December 1936 so that he could marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson and George VI became King to the relief of many in authority. The Coronation was on 12 May 1937 and the Freemen held a commemorative dinner on Friday 21 May. This was paid for from Freemen’s funds and was a formal occasion at the Royal Station Hotel in Newcastle. Evening dress was to be worn and there was a six-course meal with four toasts and responses where appropriate. And of course, men only. All Stewards were invited plus a guest who must be a Freemen. There were thirty-two active companies at the time with varying numbers of Stewards, not all local, and around ninety Stewards and guests attended. The Stewards Committee also invited around fifty other guests including the Lord Mayor, officers of the City Council and representatives of the Evening Chronicle and the Journal. Unfortunately, we haven’t come across the bill yet.

Was a good time had by all? Well, there is a photo where no-one is smiling but they are all waiting for their dinners and people tended not to smile for photos in those days. We’ll assume that they were pleased to have the new King with his young family in place and, despite the threat of war in Europe, they enjoyed themselves. There was certainly a short but positive article afterwards in one of the local newspapers. The Freemen also took the opportunity to make gifts to members in need. The sum of £1 was given to each recipient of Town Moor Money and to what were described as inmates of the Holy Jesus and Mary Magdalene Hospitals. There were sixtythree in total. Recipients had to attend the Guildhall on 13 May to pick up their money unless they were too ill to do so. Unsurprisingly twenty-seven couldn’t attend. Those who did, received their money from Mrs Anderson and Mrs Story, wives of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Freemen. The whole event gives the impression of an organisation comfortable with itself and its place in the world. No doubt the Freemen, like the rest of the population, were unaware of the huge social changes that would follow in the late twentieth century. We don’t have space to print a list of attendees here but if you would like a copy, please contact the Archives Team via admin.