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Making Refugees Comfortable Generous Treatment at Witton Park - Happy Children NORTHERN ECHO Thursday 8th October 1914 The Belgian refugees, who arrived at Witton Park on Tuesday night, express themselves as delighted with the arrangements made for their comfort. Father Krajeick, who has undertaken to look after the welfare of the party during their period of exile, busied himself yesterday morning with a round of calls on local tradesman and took the provisions to the people himself. Forty-two Belgians are housed in the village, and another 80 are expected shortly. There is ample accommodation, and Father Krajeick told our representative that he received offer of six houses from one person; these are being prepared in readiness. In one of the homes there are two mothers with their young children, both have lost their husbands who were brought out into the street at Malines and shot before their eyes. The memory of that sight is still too tragic for these unfortunate women to speak of it without tears, and anguish pitiable to see. In another house there is a party of men, women and children from Alost, and the repeated exclamation for ‘content’ in Flemish was sufficient to show how they have appreciated all that has been done for them. Then at Woodside House Mr. Nall has a party of eighteen women and children, and yesterday the women were assisting Mrs. Nall in preparing the dinner. The children were romping about the large orchard, much to the delight of their mothers, and playing with Mrs. Nall’s children with all the irrepressible fun of youth. Father Krajeick is bringing the refugees by char-a-banc to Bishop Auckland on Saturday, and a collection will be made throughout the town. The sum of £9 has been collected in Shildon for the refugees, together with several loads of furniture. Back to Essays, Poems and Newspaper Articles page! Back to the Witton Park webpage! |