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Transcript © 2003 Hubmaker. All rights reserved.
Reproduction by any means strictly prohibited.
RECTOR'S WEEKLY NEWS
February 25th 1942
My dear Lads,
It is obvious to you, as it is to every thinking man, that something
has gone radically wrong with the world. It is, of course, very
easy to grumble and say such things. Grumbling cuts little ice and
rarely achieves anything. What is needed is action. Someone has
got to get the world back to normal before we can ever hope for
a real and lasting peace. And we are the ones to do it. We must
look forward to the end of the war when things are again more or
less normal, and ask ourselves whether we are going to allow our
children to be embroiled in another war when they are just out of
their teens. The only way to prevent this is to start at once and
change the whole outlook of the world. We cannot begin too soon.
And we cannot possibly expect to do it without God. So this means
getting back to God. I know how very difficult it is for you to
do this away from your homes and surrounded by everything to take
your mind off serious thinking, but I do beg of you to approach
your Chaplain, or the Clergy of the town or village in which you
are billeted, and to ask them to help you. We must not let the heritage
of our children go to rack and ruin without some real effort to
prevent it. Think this over, and off you go to your Chaplain. A
good talk will do you good, and do him good also. Try it. With all
my prayers and my love,
ever your fellow comrade,
L.N.
Forse
Extracts
from Letters.
George Almond sends an interesting Airgraph from the middle east,
and says the arrival of a N.L. reminds him to write to the rector.
Says he had a splendid Christmas; Service in the morning and then
a jolly good Christmas dinner. Also says "I had the privilege
of taking our little evening service last Sunday." Adds that
it is biting cold out there and the sand storms are terrible. Wishes
to be remembered to his brothers in law John (Malaya) and Hubert
(M.E.F.) Tindsley, and also to Tom Tindsley. AC2 Tom Southworth,
R.A.F., says in another ten weeks he will have finished a course
which began seventeen weeks ago, so he ought to be proficient when
he passes out. Is in a very good camp and accounts for this by saying
"it was originally built for a purpose other than that to which
it is now being put.` Says that the camp is very pleasantly situated
and adds "We shall not have much to complain of during our
residence, or internment, here." Wishes to be remembered to
his colleagues in the R.A.F. Tom Smith and Edwin Barron. W.A.A.F.
Vera Iddon says it is always pleasant to get a N.L. Adds "Last
week we had a very strong wind and three of us were guiding a barrage
balloon out of the hanger. The wind caught it and we were swept
off our feet. We had a very rough fall and had to go to hospital,
but fortunately we were not hurt much. If we hadn't fallen we should
have gone up with the balloon." Sends kind regards to her cousin
Jack Robinson. OS Dick Burns,R.N. has moved again but not far. Has
found a very good friend in Mrs. Keen's (Tarleton Hotel) mother
who lives close by and is 84 years old and has never had a doctor
in her life. Says he goes see her every Sunday and she is a very
nice lady. Hopes that the rector is recovered from his illness and
once more able to go “Snooping around" again, as "that
is what you call it. Gdsn Aubrey Smith says he arrived safely back
again in barracks after his nine days' leave. He is in a part of
the world the rector knows very well because for some years when
he was a young man he worshipped in the Church of St.Stephen just
outside the town. L/cpl George Barker begins his letter by saying
"I really do not know what the lads would do without the N.L.,
as it is the one letter in the week I myself always look forward
to". Goes on "On Sunday I was on parade with a section
of our Company for a Church Parade and march past. I enjoyed the
whole ceremony as it was quite a change for me, as I have never
had the chance of going on Church Parade since I left - over eighteen
months ago. Two more lads were also on Parade, Norman Barron of
Tarleton and Jack Gidlow of Walmer Bridge, both of whom you know.”
Says that being over the border they were headed by a Drum and Fife
Band. Says that leave has been stopped in his Unit. Gunner Harold
Aspey has also moved to a new address in the west county. Says that
his is now a seven days a week job; fatigues every day and something
to do all the time. Has had two days on coal waggons. "We went
near ---- yesterday for some, so you can see that we do get about
a bit." Ends "Please remember me to all my pals in the
News Letter."
News
from the Home Front.
Dr. and Mrs. Croft have received a post card from their eldest son,
Captain Fred Croft, R.A. saying that he is a prisoner of war in
Italy and is in good health. He was captured while serving with
his Battery in Lybia. So far nothing has been heard of the fate
of 2nd Lieut Eric Hind, or of Sign John Tindsley, both of whom,
when last heard of were on the Malay Peninsula. The W.L.R.D.C. offered
prizes for the best war weapons' week slogans composed by school
children. The prize for the whole area was won by William Forshaw
of Gorse Lane and the Prize for the parish was won by Susie Taylor,
daughter of John Taylor, Blackgate Lane. Both children attend our
Church Schools at Tarleton. Dr. Calland came and gave them the prizes
(15/ in war Savings Certificates). Little Mary and Elizabeth Hodson
had a raffle and raised 25/ . She gave half to the Chapel Comforts'
Fund and the other half to the rector towards the cost of sending
the N.L. Jack Edmondson is being married next Saturday. Fred Pollard
and Harry Price, home on leave called on the rector this week. There
was good skating on the canal on Saturday and Sunday. Mrs.Whittle
(end of Coe Lane) has been very seriously ill, but is now much better,
although not out of danger. The mother of Mr. A. Waterhouse, headmaster
of the Council Schools, died on Thursday at Stoke on-Trent aged
82 years. Mr. Waterhouse went there at once and Miss Moffat is in
charge of the school. We have to congratulate Corpl Frank Timperley
of the Welsh Guards, on getting his second stripe. He is home on
leave this week. The usual 4 o'clock Friday afternoon Lent services
for schoolchildren are being held this year. Miss Elizabeth Latham
plays the organ. Miss Elizabeth Barron, who underwent an operation
in Southport Infirmary is still very poorly. Mrs. Kerruish, in Preston
Infirmary is doing nicely. The Executors of the late Mr.James Hulton,
who was killed motor cycling to Leyland some weeks ago, have given
each choirboy present at the funeral service 10/6. This was quite
unexpected. Martha Sutton, Mount Pleasant, Sollom, won the first
Prize offered by the Ormskirk Advertiser for the best crayon drawing.
Sergeant Michel Gicquel, Free French Forces on leave in Tarleton,
and called, with his fiancee, Miss Rose Twist of Fermor Road, on
the Rector. P.C.Davis, Hesketh Bank, goes this week to Buckingham
Palace to receive his medal from the King. His wife and daughter
are accompanying him. Stanley Barron, Withy Tree Farm, Windgate,
fell off the threshing machine and severely injured his back. He
will be in bed for a month. Edwin Hodson, who was shot while fleeting
on the marsh, is now home from Infirmary but has to use crutches.
The baby girl of Mr. and Mrs. John Ashton (John Ashton of New Road
is a Corporal in the Tarleton
Home Guard) was christened in the Parish Church on Sunday by
the Rector. She was named Kathryn, which, her father told the rector,
was the modern way of spelling it. War Weapons Week just finished,
each parish set out for £10,000. Here is what each actually
subscribed. Tarleton £35,837; Hesketh Bank £42,924;
Rufford £15,985; Banks £27,813; Holmeswood refused to
go in with Rufford in which parish it is, so on their own they raised
£22,652. There are only just over 200 houses in Holmeswood
and they think this is a record for the whole country. The rector’s
nephew Sergt-Instructor George Hardcastle, well known to many Tarleton
lads says that, he, too, likes to get the N.L. and know what is
happening up here. Says "Every time we move we get nearer to
Jerry. Now we cannot get much closer without meeting him."
Goes on "I never thought that one day I should be living in
a Workhouse, yet that is where I am now. Everywhere there are large
halls and rooms, and even lifts to the various floors, but of course,
we are not allowed to use them. All the wards have hot water pipes.
The place is very luxurious after our last station where we were
in Nissen Huts with stoves and oil lamps." Adds "Will
you please remember me to Sergeant Ernie Ball. He seems to be getting
on fine.” Says he is organising boxing matches against the
Navy and R.A.F. and other units, also football. Pte George Almond
sends the following verse which we are pleased to put in the N.L.
He says it all came to him like an inspiration while he was on guard
in the Lybian desert. Here it is:
"As
darkness falls upon the desert waste,
As we be-khakied Tommies seek for rest,
Fond memories of days which once we knew
Fill mind and heart in spite of many a jest.
Memories dear of those we love so well,
Of those to whom the parting brought but sorrow,
Yet their hearts are filled with pride,
Their thoughts are ever of the morrow.
They look, as we, for that one resplendent day
When war cries, strife and bloody battle end,
When man once more looks up to God
And thankfulness of praise to Him ascend.
But what if freedom, place and liberty are won
And still man alters not his ways?
What price the sacrifice of life and limb?
What use these years of toil, these gory days?
Much talk there’ll be of place, plans & new order
Of schemes that war shall be no more;
But if built not on the love and Grace of God
They all must fail, as failed they have before.
Pte.
George Almond. |
