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Transcript © 2003 Hubmaker. All rights reserved.
Reproduction by any means strictly prohibited.
RECTOR'S NEWS LETTER
February 18th 1941
My
dear lads,
Three times this last week different lads have asked me to help
them. This, as you all know, I was most anxious to do. I could have
done much more for them and have done it more quickly and effectively
had they known the names of their Chaplains. In the last war I knew
personally every man in my Battalion, and, of course, every man
knew me. The lads themselves greatly helped me in this by asking
me into their tents, or billets or dug-outs, as the case might be,
and making me feel quite at home. In fact we really were one happy
family. To know your Chaplain, and to know him well, should be one
of your first jobs when you join your Unit. How to get to know him?
Here are a few ways:- Whenever you meet him say "Good morning (afternoon
or evening), Sir". He will soon be talking to you. Or go boldly
up to him and ask if there is any way you can help him in his work,
With 1,000 men or more to look after every Chaplain is grateful
for a little help. Or go regularly to your Communions. You will
not have been often before he will be seeking you out. It is the
Lord's own Sign Manual for true comradeship. But do get to know
him. For not only will you help him by doing so but he will ever
be ready to help you. It is all part of our religion; it is the
Fellowship of Christ, our Savior. Try it and see. It will make life
much more pleasant and interesting. There is nothing like a little
mutual help to bring out the best in us. Ever your sincere brother
in Christ,
L. N. FORSE.
Extracts from Letters.
Sergeant Stanley Baldwin sends one of his long and interesting letters.
Says "I will soon have spent a year in (this district) and must
say it has been one of the happiest years of my life. Your welcome
News Letter reaches me regularly and I find it a source of interest."
Adds "One big change in the unit is that we have none of the Fleetwood
Heskeths with us now and personally I miss them very much." Is trying
to muster enough courage to have his photograph taken so that it
can be included in the church gallery. Finishes "Please convey my
warm regards to all my former friends." Pte James Latham has been
occupied clearing away snow. Says he shares the opinion of George
Burns that "Tarleton is the place for me." Wishes to be remembered
to John and Hubert Tindsley, and says that reading the N.L. makes
the lads think of each other. Billy Molyneux, R.A.F., has now started
his course as a Flight mechanic and finds it very interesting. Says
his camp covers eight miles and is in a very beautiful part of the
country. Sends his best wishes to his friends in the H.G. Corporal
Instructor Ernie Ball, who gives his address AS.B.4, says he is
one of those who will hold his hand up about 'Ye Olde Village" being
"the best place on earth." Wants Dick Sefton's address so that
he can send him a cheery line. Says the weather where he is is lovely,
almost like Spring.
Gdsn Arthur Molyneux says he never sees any Tarleton lads nowadays
in the south country place where he is billeted. Says all his lot
are ready for Hitler if he decides to invade and adds that his Brigadier
must be taking notice of Wavell's Army and the way they were trained,
because he has started training them night and day. Sapper Ronnie
Melling has changed his address and says that the N.L. has not followed
on. Is billeted in a cottage on an estate of a gentleman whose wife'
s first husband was the Queen' s brother. Is in a small village,
with old Church, with date 1624 carved on pulpit; having an easy
time with no bombs, but the snag is they have a 40 minutes walk
to the nearest town - and pictures. Dvr. Jack Robinson and his Captain
played for the local Irish civilian team in a Cup Final soccer match.
In his spare time is helping the local farmers and is enjoying every
minute of each day. As will be noticed very few letters have come
to hand this week. There are still many who very rarely write. If
no one wrote you would miss these "Extracts from Letters", which
all say they like reading. So if you, who are reading this at this
moment, are one of these will you please send off a letter to-day.
Thank you, say I, and all the Tarleton lads who like to read the
N.L
Village
Talk.
Mrs. Iddon, widow of Butcher Iddon next to Co-op, was taken seriously
ill on Monday and is now in Preston Infirmary. Underwent an operation
on Thursday. Doing fairly well. Grandson Dick Johnson, home on embarkation
leave, got three extension. Mrs. Trafford, corner of Doctor's Lane,
Sollom, died on Friday morning. Nephew Bert Barron, whom she brought
up, got leave and saw her before she passed away. Is staying over
for the funeral on Tuesday. The Rector' s motor car is now in working
order, and he thanks Mr. Robert Rowland for running him about on
urgent duty while it was laid up. With so many lads away British
Legion Club won' t pay. Meeting on Thursday to see what can be done.
Mr. James Mayor, of the boat yard, who lived with his son at the
Lock, died on Saturday. Is to be buried on Tuesday. Dvr. John Wright,
Blackgate Lane, who has been home on sick leave returns to duty
this week.
Rufford
News.
Kenneth Lingard, home on leave was married on Saturday at Burscough
Church. Linton Ashcroft, R.A.S.C. home for 7 days. Raymond Caunce
writes to say that he hopes to get home this week for 7 days; adds
"it will be grand to lie in bed a bit longer" and says he never
knew that nights were so long until he went on guard. Mrs Ernie
Cheatham died very suddenly last week. Ted Mason's mother died on
Sunday. Tom Fazackorley is going into hospital with a bad foot.
His wife has only just come out of Southport Infirmary.
On
Leave.
Corpl Fred Forshaw from London for 48 hrs. Harry Harrison for 7
days, George West for 7 days, John Pickervance R.A.F. for Sunday
leave. Bert Barron on compassionate leave. John Coulton (Hesketh
Bank) for 7 days. Ronnie Wilde. (Hoole) for 7 days. Tom Barker,
who married Dorothy Hignett, for 7 days, Edward Johnson, (Bretherton)
who is with Harry Harrison, for 7 days. Abraham Wright is expected
home this week for seven days.
Mrs.Perkins
(proudly to her neighbour). Yes, this is our Willie. 'e as my eyes,
'is father's nose and 'is ganfaver's chin.
Little Willie (chiming in), 'An our Johnn's trousis, cut down.
Registering.
.
The following are amongst those who are registering this month.
John Ashcroft; Charlie Mayor; Charlie Wright; Joseph Black; Henry
Iddon; Sam Moss; James Harrison; Harry Abram; Henry Johnson (Enoch's
brother); all these from Mere Brow and Holmes; Jack Moss; Tom Wright;
John Iddon (Prime); Harold Pilkington; Sidney Ball; Jack Marsden;
Hugh Melling; John Sutton; John Hunter; William Cookson; Norman
Wade; Albert Becconsall; Leslie Hodson; (Leslie has volunteered
for the Marines, has been accepted, and has passed his medical).
Walter Rawsthorne has already joined the R.A.F. Robert Parkinson,
William Harrison, Jack Latham.
Prisoners
of War.
According to the Map of Prisoners of War camps published in the
Daily Mail, both Herbert Nutter and Clifford Hambilton are in camps
right on the borders of Czechoslovakia, in the district of Germany
known as Silesia, between Dresden and Gorlitz. It is really not
very far from Southern Poland. As far as their parents know they
are not in the same camp although very near each other. And in any
case they had not seen each other when they last wrote for it is
certainly one of the interesting items they would have mentioned
had they done so.
Season
of Lent.
The Army on active service finds very little time to pay attention
to the seasons of the Christian year. However during the last war
the Chaplains redoubled their efforts during this holy time and
were singularly blessed in their efforts to bring large numbers
of men to a fuller knowledge of, and therefore a greater love for,
the Divine Master. Many men during this time came forward and offered
themselves for Confirmation. We suppose that most Chaplains will
do the same this tine, and we ask all sincere and earnest Christians
to help them in their efforts. And this you can best do by your
presence at the various services; for it is a well known fact that
numbers bring numbers.
For
Discussion.
Here is something you can discuss with your mates. It takes very
little courage for the evil minded to talk evil to all who come
in contact with them, and to try and persuade them to be likeminded,
but it takes a great deal of courage for the right minded to talk
righteous to all who come in contact with them and try and persuade
them to be like-minded. Why is this? |
