The haunted house gets them down.
Ex-RAF Sgt. Patrick Phelan, his wife and ten children are a worried family, for strange things are happening at night time in a 56-year-old house overlooking the sea which the RAF took over for them at Embleton in Northumberland two years ago.
Cups, saucers, plates and milk bottles have been smashed against the walls and floors; electric light bulbs have been changed; pillows thrown down the stairs; garden ornaments broken, and an old broken gradfather clock has started striking the hour, chiming 13 times.
Some of the incidents have been witnessed by RAF officers investigating the complaints. Physical damage has also been suffered by Mr and Mrs Phelan. “We’ve heard odd noises before, but it is only lately that the poltergeist has intensified its efforts to get us out of the house,” said Mr Phelan, adding that the footsteps of both a man and woman had also been heard. Last night a loaf of bread hit him in the neck and two RAF officers in the house dashed outside when they heard a crash. It was the sound of a massive garden urn which had been thrown on the ground.
Ex-Sgt. Phelan, a native of Southern Ireland, who completed 13 years’ service with the RAF last week hopes to leave the house shortly. “It’s getting on our nerves,” he says.
Shields Daily News, 28th February 1957.
He must leave house and the poltergeist.
The father of 10 children must leave his house at Embleton which he says is haunted by a poltergeist, because he is in arrears with his rent to the sumof £82. The eviction order was made against him at Alnwick Court on Monday. He is 44-year-old Mr Patrick Phelan who has for the past two years rented Dunstanburgh House from the RAF. They were given 28 days to leave the house.
During their stay there they have had nearly two years of belongings vanishing then reappearing mysteriously – crockery spinning about the house and crashing at their feet – cushions and pillows flying round the room and hitting them – water squirting on their necks.
Until February Mr Phelan was an acting sergeant in charge of sick at the RAF station at Boulmer, with 13 years’ service at home and abroad. When he was discharged he applied for a further period of service, but his application was turned down. Since he left the Air Force he has been unemployed. Job hunting has become a major problem for any job he takes must include accommodation for a family of 10 between the age of 15 years and eight months. His income is £7 is unemployment benefit and national assistance plus £3 18s family allowance. From that he must pay the rent of £4 2s 10d and now another £1 a week from the rent arrears of £82.
Berwick Advertiser, 25th July 1957.