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Transcript © 2003 Hubmaker. All rights reserved.
Reproduction by any means strictly prohibited.
RECTOR'S WEEKLY NEWS
February 3rd 1942
My
dear Lads,
I suppose that if you will insist upon putting a quart into a pint
bottle some weak spot in that bottle is bound to crack. I have known
for some time that I have been working at far too high a pressure,
but every little bit of my work I thought to be so important at
this present crisis that I did not, and even now do not, know what
to drop. However the inevitable happened and last week found me
in bed with Dr. Croft in attendance. For six days I did not do a
single stroke of work, and how I shall ever pick up the lost time
heaven only knows. But you, at any rate, will get your N. L. just
as though I had never been ill, for I did manage to creep downs
stairs and get that off my chest. It was not work, it was pleasure.
The only thing, I think you will find lacking is the amount of local
news I am usually able to pick up as I go about the parish. All
being well I should be out and about again at the beginning of the
week. You see, for one thing, I miss my trusty henchmen, my Servers
and other lads who waited on me, for although you really did not
know it you were, in one way or another, doing a Curate’s
work and relieving me at every turn. Even the younger lads I brought
in at the beginning of the year have now all joined the Home Guard
and every minute of their spare time is occupied.
I think that it is only now that I myself fully recognise how much
I did leave to you and what a tremendous help you were. I thank
you for your loyalty, willing service and good companionship and
pray that I may be spared to weather the storm until you all come
home again and share once more with me the joys of service which,
I know you will agree with me, were joys indeed. Ever your devoted,
grateful friend, L.N.FORSE.
Extracts from Letters.
Seaman Dick Burns, R.N. begins "Just a few lines to let you
know that I have changed my address and am still alive, and I hope
that it is the same with you." Goes on to give the interesting
news "I have to start work at 2 p.m. this afternoon till 9.15
tonight, and I believe we have to clock in and out, so it will seem
just like going to work; and also the men who are in charge are
civilians and while we are in there, the Navy have nothing to do
with us, so it will be a change." Wishes to be remembered to
his brothers Jim (Middle East), Tom (R.A.S.C.), George (Irish Guards),
Johnny (Home Guard), and his brothers in law, George West (Tank
Corps) and Harry Forrest (Middle East.) Pte Ralph Whitehead says
"We have lost our Padre altogether now as we are considered
too small a Unit to warrant one on our own. We have Church Parade
every Sunday morning and go to the village Church. I am afraid very
few people would go unless it was a parade, so in some ways it is
not as good as it should be. But this is often the case in the Army"
(And out of the Army, Ralph.) Says he does not expect to get home
before Easter. Pte Ken Ogden, who is in the extreme south of England,
says that it is very cold indeed where he is. Also says his brother,
who is due for being called up, hopes to get into the Navy. Spent
a week doing gardening in the Officers Mess grounds, but had to
give it up owing to bad weather conditions. A.C.1 Robert Moss has
moved to a new camp, which is indeed new. Says it is built on the
'dispersal plan". "We have to walk 25 minutes for our
meals; also at the messing site are the only places where one can
have a wash, so, I am afraid that we only muster one per day. One
good point. I came with about ten boys that I knew, so I have not
had to make any fresh pals, but none of us like the camp very much."
Is still doing his old job Sparks of the R. A. F. Dvr Will Bridge
says "I think this is the worst place I have ever been in,
rector, as it is miles from anywhere. I go to Church nearly every
Sunday, in fact I have been this morning. The rector himself is
a civilian and quite a nice chap, in fact he is in the canteen now
and comes quite regularly." (As a matter of interest to Will
during the Rector of Tarleton's last visit to the lads in May of
last year he stayed the night at the local pub, a very clean place,
and called upon and had tea with the rector, and he told him that
he was formerly a Rear Admiral in the Navy. He is also a D.S.O.
But rectors come and rectors go and since May he can easily have
been transferred to the latter category. An interesting letter comes
from Mr. and Mrs. Farington, of Longton, saying that they have just
had a letter from their Jimmy in the middle east, and he wishes
his parents to thank the rector for making enquiries about him when
he was wounded. Pte W. Seddon has gone to a new address. Says "We
went on a stunt and had to sleep in a barn the first night. There
were rats running over us all night. When we got back to our camp
on Thursday night I was glad to find my box from home and my News
Letter. It did make things a lot brighter. You can imagine what
we looked like, not having shaved for four days. Please remember
me to Harold Aspey. I think I had better close now; being on the
police is a busy job." By the same post comes an ordinary letter
dated 20/10/41, and an airgraph dated 30/12/41, both from Dvr Ronnie
Pilkington who is in the middle east. In letter says the heat comes
in waves and strikes one in the face, and when a sand storm is on
one cannot see a single thing. Says that he has had a rough time
for a few weeks but at the time of writing all was back at normal.
In Airgraph says that he has received all the N.Ls up to date which,
as he adds, is marvellous seeing how far he is from home and how
inaccessible even out there. Says "It is not at all pleasant
at this end of the world, but I am thankful to say I still have
my N.L. regularly every week, and have to thank you and Miss Webster
for the trouble you take to supply it to us lads out here."
Thanks the M.U. and all other kind friends and sends congratulations
to Corpl Jimmy Burns, also in Middle east, although he does not
know where, on his promotion. Corpl Jimmy Burns sends a very good
photo of himself taken in middle east which makes it appear that
he has put on weight very considerably. No letter accompanies it
but from his smiling contented look he does not appear to be taking
much harm. Seaman Will Ball, R.N. (Scoot) wrote two long letters,
one dated Oct.26th, the other Nov.27th. But arrived at Rectory by
same post. Says when they visited a South American port they had
a marvellous time. Went to a great dance organised by British Community,
ship’s company were taken sight seeing in busses, given a
lovely lunch in the city, had a game of football, then went shopping,
and then back to the dance which finished at 12.30 a.m. Then busses
were waiting to take them back to the ship. Will does not say whether
the dance lasted for twenty four hours, but from the way he writes
it seems as though it did. In his later letter says he is back at
sea and has not received a single letter from home for twelve weeks.
Hopes that all his friends received his Christmas cards (thanks,
Will, the rector received his), and wishes them all a prosperous
New Year. Pte Bert Price says "Last Saturday we had a football
match for the Mayor's Aid to Russia Fund, and the Servicemen played
the Police and won 6 2. The proceeds amounted to £3.10s, and
the Mayor congratulated my team upon the splendid game we played."
Ends "Last Friday, at the close of a Carrier Course, I was
passed out A.1. as Driver in Command.” Sends his best wishes
to all the lads. Seaman Jack Marsden, R.N. writes; "Well sir,
as I have said before Scotch people are a grand lot, we get asked
to their parties many times. Last night about a dozen of the boys
went to a party given by the Wrens, but as I was on duty I couldn’t
go. There is a party being held in honour of Robert Burns, it is
called Burn's Supper, and a few of the boys have been asked."
Corpl Doris Molyneux, R.A.F. who is in the Home Counties, says that
she is hoping to arrange a 48 hrs pass for next month, although
it does seem a very long way to go for such a short time. Also says
that her lot are organising a Concert Party which keeps them all
very busy during these winter evenings. They hope to give the show
in a few weeks time.
News
from the Home Front.
Rector in bed all the week with a severe cold and overwork. Dr.Croft’s
skill, attention and genial disposition has now put him on his feet
again, Everyone most helpful. Mr. Magrath of Rufford took funeral,
and Mr. Chaffey, the new Vicar of Penwortham who has two curates,
kindly took all Sunday Services. Gdsn John Moss did not get home
for his grandfather’s funeral. His C.O. wrote a nice letter
to Rector saying that John had moved to other quarters the very
day letter arrived and it was impossible to get in touch with him.
The Rector’s father started on his 92nd year last Monday.
Preliminary meeting in schools on Monday evening in connection with
the Warship week (Feb 14th to Feb. 21st) to raise £800,000
in area comprising West Lancs R.D.C. and taking in Southport. Girl
Guides Dance in Schools on Friday evening last in support of Free
Buffet for Servicemen on Preston Station. Mr. Charlie Southworth,
Blackgate Lane, who has kindly played the organ for the past two
months while Mr. Penn was away ill, has the ’flu, and Mrs.
Hinds, Fulwood Avenue, played at all the Services on Sunday. Philip
Barron’s (junior) baby girl was christened on Sunday with
the name of Brenda. The Rector being ill, Mr. Chaffey administered
the Sacrament. Miss Jennie Fishwick, who has been in Preston Infirmary,
is doing well. Every day in every week the rector goes out sleuthing,
snoodging, nosey-parkering round the parish sniffing out items of
local gossip that may interest one of other of the lads away, in
the N.L. This week, having been confined to his bedroom since Monday
he “has nothing to report” Doubtless a great deal has
happened, but he simply does not know about it, so he has to apologise
to all readers of the N.L. for the lack of dainty, spicy tit bits.
So he cannot tell anyone what has been happening at Bolton’s
Meanygate, Tabby Nook, Pepperhillock, Sollom (except that as far
as he knows it has not turned gay) Hundred End, Slope Brew, Longditch,
The Strine, Town End or even Park Lane. |
