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.

15 November 1914; Sunday

November 1914, , ,

Missed chapel in the morning through sleeping in too late. Wild stormy day and night. At Sunday School and chapel at night. Mr Chadwick asked me to arrange for the missionary men’s anniversary†. I had a bit trouble and finally arranged with Mr Fred to try Jack Robinson. Stayed to prayer meeting. Read a good bit and played a bit. Received news that Lord Roberts had died in France1. He had gone over to inspect the Indian troops and contracted a chill and died there through pneumonia. Mr Chadwick preached in the morning but Mr Kettle preached at night.

Terrific attack on Ypres abortive.

  1. Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, died of pneumonia at St Omer, France, on 14 November 1914 while visiting Indian troops. ↩

4 November 1914; Wednesday

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Pretty busy at work. Went down to Mr Chadwick’s meeting at night. Mr Chadwick had been called away from home to his little daughter who is away and seriously ill. Mr Kettle spoke in his place. Pretty fair meeting. Played ping pong afterwards with Willie Peake, Joe and our Charlie.

The Allies progressing favourably. England declared War on Turkey1.

  1. Many sources suggest that the formal declaration of war on Turkey (by both Britain and France) actually came on 5th November, not 4th. See for example The Great War Timeline at greatwar.co.uk and Timeline of World War I at Wikipedia. ↩

1 November 1914; Sunday

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At chapel and School as usual. Mr Chadwick preaching. Managed pretty well at School. Stormy day. Sacrament at night. Had only short walks. Received news of the loss of the Hermes1 off Dover. Sunk by a submarine.

Germans sink “Good Hope” & “Monmouth”2 off Valparaiso.

  1. HMS Hermes: cruiser, the first RN vessel to be fitted for carrying and launching seaplanes; she had delivered some to Dover on 30 October, and while returning to the Solent next day was torpedoed by U-27 off Ruylingen Bank, in the Straits of Dover. ↩

  2. HMS Good Hope and Monmouth: heavy cruisers sunk at the Battle of Coronel, W. of Valparaiso; there followed (8 December) the Battle of the Falkland Islands (a British victory). See 5 November for news of these events reaching ALL. ↩

25 October 1914; Sunday

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At chapel and School as usual. Managed pretty well in School. 2 new scholars. Wet afternoon and night and no walks. Marmie and Joe and Dorothy to tea at Willie and Lily’s. Got news that the Badger1 had rammed a German submarine off the Dutch coast.

  1. HMS Badger: a torpedo boat – only 990 tons – and this was said to be the first successful attack by an Allied ship on a German submarine (the U-19): Wikipedia says that this ramming occurred on 24 October. ↩

13 October 1914; Tuesday

October 1914, , ,

Not much to do at work. Went down to the chapel at night. Pretty good meeting. A whole lot including Mr Mullens, Dick Crossley and Joe Speed “reconsecrated” themselves. Walked round with Joe and discussed Mr Mathews and his methods. Felt pretty dead† off and not inclined for any work.

Belgian Government removed to Havre.

11 October 1914; Sunday

October 1914, , ,

Felt unwell first thing. Stayed in bed until dinner time. Had walk out in the afternoon. Went to Lily & Willie’s to tea with all the rest of the family but Joe and Marmie. Went to chapel at night. Mr Mathews preaching again and was awful. We talked to Willie Peake until late and didn’t get home until late.

Hear of fall of Antwerp. 2000 Naval men interned in Holland & some Belgian soldiers. Great excitement in town.

9 October 1914; Friday

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Got up early and went to baths. Still slack at work. Went down to Wanless’s at night and talked to Willie a bit and then Joe arranged with Mr Wanless to go to the dock with Father on Friday to try if he can work his machine. Walked round by chapel and went into Mission meeting last thing. Charlie had been there earlier and then arranged to give his testimony.

Germans occupy Antwerp.