Tag Archives: Chapel

Arthur Linfoot was a member of the South Durham Street United Methodist Free Church in Sunderland, and a regular church-goer elsewhere when not in Sunderland. He records his attendance at chapel and church services of many kinds throughout his diaries.

13 January 1916; Thursday

13 January 16January 1916Alnwick, Bell, ChapelArthur Linfoot

Up at 7 o’clock. Told off for station fatigue. Had good morning. Lecture in the afternoon. Bell died about noon. Went to the great invitation social at Clayport. Great spread, cold turkey, duck, ham, trifle etcetera. Played a few games, but generally rather slow. Two sketches¹, one bad and one good. Left at 11.30. Spent very good evening. I had to respond to the toast to “Our guests”.

Bell died. Clayport Social. Last day in Sergeants’ Mess.

Sketch here means a short humorous play or performance, consisting typically of one scene. ↩

9 January 1916; Sunday

9 January 16January 1916Alnwick, Chapel, MackArthur Linfoot

At church as usual. Sat upstairs in the Presbyterian church¹ in the morning, and didn’t stay to the sacrament. Had walk through the deer park² in the afternoon. At church at night and was in the same pew as the Misses Mack. Missed them after church. Walked up their lane a bit and came back past them with another chap. Walked round that way back to camp. Sang Jackson’s evening hymn at night.

Probably Clayport again. ↩
Probably Hulne Park again. ↩

3 January 1916; Monday

3 January 16January 1916Alnwick, ChapelArthur Linfoot

New adjutant took over command, and inspected us first thing. Looks a smart and decent chap. I paraded men as usual. Went to social at night. Had to leave early as Collins didn’t turn up. Cameron missing too. All the other chaps turned in. Pretty quiet at night. I left social at 9.30.

Social at Pres. Church¹.

Probably Clayport church again. ↩

2 January 1916; Sunday

2 January 16January 1916Alnwick, Chapel, MackArthur Linfoot

Got up about 7.45. Breakfast 8.30. Went to church at 11 o’clock. Miss McGill¹ told me the date of the social is changed to the 13th. Spent afternoon about YM. At church again at night. A lady asked me if I would be at the social tomorrow night.

Miss McGill: Miss Mack? See 4 January. ↩

26 December 1915; Sunday

26 December 15December 1915Chapel, Leave, SunderlandArthur Linfoot

At chapel twice. Mrs Whittaker asked me to take the children’s service for her and I did. Good meeting. I told them a story. Henry Hodgkinson called in the afternoon and I stayed in and talked to him. He is working at Stockton in a drysalter’s store¹. Went down to Grandmother’s after service. A big crowd there. She seems a little better than when I saw her last.

Drysalters were dealers in a range of chemical products, including glue, varnish, dye and colourings. They might supply salt or chemicals for preserving food and sometimes also sold pickles, dried meat or related items. ↩

19 December 1915; Sunday

19 December 15December 1915Alnwick, ChapelArthur Linfoot

At Clayport church¹ both morning. ~~and evening.~~ ² Had walk in the afternoon to Mr Burrell’s and was there to tea and supper. Pleasant walk. Played the piano a bit.

Clayport Church: See 21 November. ↩
ALL crossed out “and evening”, but not “both”. ↩

12 December 1915; Sunday

12 December 15December 1915Alnwick, ChapelArthur Linfoot

Usual day. At our own UMC twice. Visited Green in the afternoon. Had two good walks. Played¹ at the Y.M.C.A. at night.

“Played”: Not ping pong. Probably the piano or another keyboard instrument. ↩

5 December 1915; Sunday

5 December 15December 1915Alnwick, Chapel, DonArthur Linfoot

At church twice - Clayport¹. Mr Don preaching in the morning and Mr Lawton at night. At the Bible class in the Y.M. in the afternoon and at the meeting at night. The Baptist choir singing at night. Wet night. Had spray² first thing.

Clayport: See 21 November. ↩
“spray” perhaps means “shower” – a form of ablution sufficiently unusual in 1915 to have perhaps no settled name? ↩

1 December 1915; Wednesday

1 December 15December 1915Alnwick, ChapelArthur Linfoot

Day as usual. Drew rations. Went to the Congregational church and heard a lecture on “The challenge of the war to Christianity” by Dr Vishauer. A very good lecture and I enjoyed it. With Green. Bought pork sandwiches at night.

28 November 1915; Sunday

28 November 15November 1915Alnwick, Chapel, Mack, MapArthur Linfoot

At church in the morning and evening, Clayport church¹. Went with Green and some more chaps to deer† Park and Brizlee Tower². Cold but fine. Enjoyed the walk and were up the tower. At Y.M.C.A. at night. Came down with Miss McGill³ and Sergeant Sharp. He was with us at church.

Clayport Church: See 21 November. ↩
Brizlee Hill and Tower (marked on map) are 2 miles NW. of Alnwick, in Hulne Park (the word preceding “park” is probably a lazy way of writing “deer”, as transcribed, and is certainly not “Brizlee”.).

See also Alnwick map. ↩
Miss McGill: Miss Mack? See 4 January 1916. ↩

The Diary of Arthur L. Linfoot

58th Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C.