Tynemouth Borough, which included the towns of Tynemouth and North
Shields, was an area of strategic value to the national war effort as it
contained the mouth of the river Tyne and was the entry point to the
most important munitions center in Britain. Industry upriver included
the manufacture of munitions, armaments, and military and civilian
ships, whilst the port of Tyne was one of the busiest in the country
with its internationally important coal export industry.
Away from its industrial importance the area was also a hotbed of
military recruitment. In common with the rest of the north east,
Tynemouth had large numbers of young men who were serving in the forces
before the outbreak of the war. Its record for wartime recruitment was
second to none and it lay in a key recruitment area for the local
regiment, the Northumberland Fusiliers, who raised over fifty battalions
during the war - a record. Given its location on the coast, Tynemouth
also had a proud tradition of service in the Merchant Navy and many
Tynemouth men had the sea in their blood, whilst North Shields was the
home base of a large and active fishing fleet. Many of the men who
manned the trawlers saw active service, whilst others were exposed to
even greater dangers due to the war.
This engaging book is the first to look at the fascinating social
history of Tynemouth during the shattering years of the Great War and
charts the huge sacrifices made by the people of Tynemouth.
