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Transcript © 2003 Hubmaker. All rights reserved.
Reproduction by any means strictly prohibited.
RECTOR'S WEEKLY NEWS
January 1st 1943
My dear Boys and Girls,
I wish you, one and all, the very best for the New Year, and may
it, by the Grace and Goodness of God, bring with it a Victorious
Peace, and, before the year ends may you all once more be back in
your homes.
Knowing me as you do you need not be told that all this Christmastide
my heart has gone out to those of our lads who are prisoners of
war; then to those who are in the actual fighting zone.
How hopeless we feel to succour them. Even as we think this there
must come to our minds the old, old saying, "Our help is in
the Name of the Lord." There is the answer to all our difficulties.
If only we could get this truth firmly fixed in our minds things
would soon take on a brighter hue.
So, my New Year’s wish for you all is that we learn to rely
more and more upon God, and really deserve His Blessing.
Ever your affectionate friend and brother,
L. N.FORSE.
HOME
FRONT NEWS
Miss Bolshaw, the sister of Mr. Arthur Bolshaw of Plox Brow, who
lived with him for many years, died on Wednesday and was buried
at Tarleton on Saturday. She was 83 years old. Mr. William Higham,
Nurseryman, Hesketh Lane, died on Friday and was buried at Tarleton
on Monday. We much regret to say that word has come that Dvr. Dick
Sephton, of Rufford, was wounded in the battle for North Africa
on Nov. 22nd. The War Office have informed his parents that he has
shrapnel wounds in the face and back. No further information is
to hand. Marine Kenneth Nicholson arrived in England on Friday after
two years abroad. The Banns of marriage of Hugh Melling and Jennie
Slinger were called for the first time on Sunday. Mr. Butterfield,
Kearsley Avenue, is very dangerously ill. Seaman Jack Marsden, Gorse
Lane, is home for 19 days leave. Tom Forshaw, son of Mr. and Mrs.
James Forshaw is selling all his childhood toys in aid of the N.L.
fund. He has a goodly stock of them. Mr. Robert Hodson, Kearsley
Avenue, is getting better. Miss Evelyn Webster has been kept in
bed for over a week with a severe cold. Mere Brow School Christmas
party was held last night. Stanley Johnson, (married Polly Hunter)
has gone abroad. Home Guard Fancy Dress Ball at Conservative Hall
on Thursday night. Some rare costumes appeared. Betty Ball, daughter
and only child of Mr. and Mrs. James Ball, Shore Road, H.B. was
married on Thursday at the Methodist Chapel, H.B. to 2nd Lieut.
Pill, of Penzance, who was at one time billeted in H.B. Abraham
Wright, Kearsley Ave. is being married to Ethel Corner, of Croston
on his next leave, which should be sometime in January. Sgt. Nick
Dewhurst, Sgt. Ernie Ball, Frank McKean, R.N., William Ball, R.N.
(Scoot), Jack Marsden, R.N, Tom Parkinson, R.A.F., Tom Dickinson,
R.N., all home on Christmas leave. Also Lieut. Ronald Cooke, husband
of Nellie Cookson, that was. Vernon and Kenneth Ogden both got home
for 48 hours last Sunday. It should be mentioned once again that
the rector receives so many letters every week, that he is not able
to give extracts from them all. So he does his best and gives what
extracts from as many as possible and begins next week with those
left over.
EXTRACTS
FROM LETTERS.
The Rector thanks the following for sending delightful Christmas
cards by Airgraph, Air Mail, and ordinary post. Tom Rigby (India
), Alec Barnish (M.E.F.), Dick Bond (M.E.F.), Dick Johnson (M.E.F.),
Harry Rigby (M.E.F.), Kenneth Nicholson (from his ship at Sea),
George West (Tank Corps), and Freddy Coupe, R.A.F. O/S R. Iddon
(Hesketh Bank) writes "I am like the rest of the boys in that
I find the N.Ls. very interesting, and, as a ‘Hesketer' I
can assure you that your efforts really are appreciated. Occasionally,
when I have no lectures and no washing to do, I go across to another
Hesketh boy, Horace Hornby, who is here. Dvr. Ronnie Pilkington
writes from M.E.F. to say "I must mention here that I have
at last got in touch with one of our comrades well known to the
boys of Tarleton. It is Harley Mckean. I must have missed one of
your N.Ls. I had a look at Harleys and he has received the one you
mention myself in. I would like to find Dick Gabbot and Bill Wright.
Harley McKean told me where Jim Burns is.” LAC Roger Watson
sends a most ornate coloured airmail letter from Ceylon with Christmas
greetings and saying "Thanks for N.Ls which continue to arrive
regularly. I havn’t come across Frank Foster yet, though I’m
keeping my eyes open. Please remember me to all the boys and to
Malcolm Parkinson, Dick Rymer and Fred Coupe in particular. We've
certainly got well split up since the days we all travelled on the
same train each morning,” Dvr. Walter Moss sends an airgraph
from M.E.F. to say "I have never seen anyone from Tarleton
out here yet but according to the N.L. I have been very near to
them at times. Thanking you for the N.L. which I receive regularly
and wishing you a Merry Christmas." Cpl. Jimmy Sutton also
sends an airgraph from M.E.F. saying, "I received my last N.L.
two weeks ago and was very pleased to see my name in it. Also Leslie
Hodson's, the only lad I have met out here whom I know. I have been
visiting various places recently including Aleppo, Baalback, Palmyra.
I also visited Cyprus and had a very good time there." Stoker
W. Melling (H.B.) writes from his Ship saying, “I am writing
these few lines as I lie in bed in Hospital. I have had a touch
of malaria. The weather out here is terribly hot. How is Tom Spencer
getting on. He joined the Navy with me, but I have not heard from
him since. It would be very kind of you if you would remember me
to Bill Sutton." (Bill Sutton, Wm. joined the R.A.F. and has
not been heard of for over a year now. He was last heard of in the
very town where you are in hospital.) Pte. John Caunce writes to
say, “We have just come in from a small night manoeuvre. It
started at 6.30 to 7.30. so you can see it was only a small one.
If you have ever been on the race course, you can imagine what it
would be like in the dark. The corporal said if we got lost he would
not come for us till morning, and believe me, knowing our corporal
I quite believed him." Pte. F. Hewitson writes from aboard
his ship saying. "I now know much more of the lifes and ways
of ‘they that go down to the sea in ships; and occupy their
business in great waters.’ It certainly is a fascinating life
and would appeal to me alright. I half expected to meet someone
I know on board, but have not done so. There is no telling whom
I shall meet once we disembark. L. A. C. Pollard writes from an
island in the Atlantic to say, “The main thing about being
here is that the town is quite handy and it boasts a picture place.
There are also three of four canteens. The town itself is not very
big, but it is better than nothing." ACW/1 Margaret Timperly
(wife of Gdsn Cpl Frank) writes, "I was going to send a photograph
which I hoped you would place next to Frank's in the Church, but
mother tells me she has sent one. I have just passed my trade test
as an ACW/1, and I hope to be posted near my husband.” Gunner
John Hornby is brief, all he says is "I have moved once more,
and am sending you my new address right away. Haven’t had
a N.L. for two weeks.” That’s all, but it means a lot.
The N.Ls, of course, have been sent each week as usual. Flying Officer
Richard Rymer says, ''I am kept fairly busy both in the air and
on the ground with all the different aspects of the work which often
is of the type which calls a meeting and pooling of opinions after
the flying side is finished. Please send my best wishes through
the N.L. to all my friends, particularly to John Hubert and Tom
Tindsley, Arthur Croft, Roger Watson and MaIcolm Parkinson."
AC/2 Freddy Coupe says 'Nothing of interest seems to happen here,
so I never have much news for the N.L. Remember me to Jim Latham
of Moss Lane." Dvr. Albert Becconsall writes “I’ve
never seen a place with more Collages and Churches than Oxford,
with very nice country as well. There are seven of us billeted in
an old Lodge. We could do with your kitten to keep the mice at bay.
I was at the Toc H chain of Light meeting last night. D/M Dick Blundell
says “I am now back at the old address as a fully fledged
Driver Mechanic. My duties are now to give lectures on M.T. and
help in general the Officer teaching learner drivers. I would like
to be remembered to the Rowland Bros. Stan Quinlan, Vernon Ogden,
John Iddon (Gorse Lane) and all the lads away”. Pt William
Harrison sends his first letter after joining up, saying, "I
have received all my kit but have not had any drills yet. When we
do I think it will be O.K. The N.C.Os are very good I don't know
whether they are the same as Sidney Ball had. Their names are Sgt.
Maconsonier, L/Cpl. Rogers and Cpl. Bennett, so we are lucky. We
have had our trade test. The idea is to put every man to the job
for which he is best suited, so that there will be no round pegs
in square holes.“ Gdsn. Kenneth Hind says "I am very
happy in my present position and hope to gain promotion before long.
It is awfully interesting work and makes one think for oneself more
than when ordinary infantryman" Pte. Arthur Harrison says "We
are out in the wilds alright. As I write this letter its blowing
a gale. There is a rumour going round that we won’t be having
a Christmas dinner like we have had other years. Please remember
me to all the boys and girls in the Forces, especially p o ws, and
may God keep them safe." Pte. Erie Booth says 'I am billeted
opposite the castle, in a Methodist schoolroom, once again being
lucky in getting with a good set of lads. We are just going to N.A.A.F.I.
for our evening cup of tea, but there is no sugar sir, in the Army.”
Jimmy Sutton’s (Hesketh Lane) letter will be answered next
week. |
