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Transcript © 2003 Hubmaker. All rights reserved.
Reproduction by any means strictly prohibited.
RECTOR'S WEEKLY NEWS
February 11th 1943
My
dear Boys and Girls,
The good news that comes to hand must certainly make us all more
cheerful, and it certainly, also, brings the war appreciably nearer
to its end. Our first thoughts must be those of thankfulness, for
we at home have offered up constant prayer to almighty God, as I
suppose you all have. An humble, thankful heart is always acceptable
to God. I think that you will all agree that we are not sufficiently
thankful for the good things of life, although we are only too ready
to grumble when things are not to our liking.
I have been very pleased indeed to receive a good many courtesy
calls this week from lads on leave, for as you know I do appreciate
seeing you when you can manage to get home.
With my love and my Blessing,
Ever your affectionate friend,
L.N. FORSE.
HOME
FRONT NEWS.
Margaret Neta Latham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dick Latham, Hesketh
Lane, married John Wignall, of Banks, on Saturday in Tarleton Parish
Church. Reception afterwards at Becconsall Hotel.
Janey Iddon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Iddon, Church Road
married Charlie Mayor, Mere Brow, on Wednesday at the Chapel. Corpl.
Tom Burns, R.A.S.C., Oaklands Avenue, married Joyce Bolton, of Walton
le Dale, on Saturday at Walton le Dale. Annie Dandy, Holmes, next
to Holmes Chapel, is engaged to be married to Mr. Duckworth, New
Road, (lives in the house that was Hambilton's) .
The Women's Section of the B.L. raffled a tablecloth and made £7.
It was won by Pte. George Farrington, of Croston, who is engaged
to Annie Wilson, Wesley Cottages. They gave £5 to the Prisoners
of War Fund and £2 to the Rector's News Letter Fund, for which
we thank them. Hesketh Bank Bowling Club has sent 30/ to each of
the 140 H.B. boys serving in the Forces, as a Christmas present.
On
leave.
Gunner Harold Aspey: Marine Kenneth Nicholson: Tel. John Webster,
R.N.: Jimmy Latham, R.N. (Moss Lane): John Iddon, R.N., Shore Side,
H.B.: Sub Lieutenant (E), Johnny Hague, R.N.R.: Pte. Arthur Worth:
Gdsn. Aubrey Smith: Gdsn. Matt. Farrington (Walmer Bridge) Corpl.
Tom Burns:
A.T.C. Dance in Schools on Friday night. A good attendance of Sailors,
Soldiers and Airmen, including three Pilot- Sergents adorned with
full wings.
Mr. Matthew Harrison, of Wigan, a native of Tarleton, was found
drowned in the Canal at Wigan, and was brought to Tarleton for burial.
He was 73 years of age. Mr. Hugh Taylor, Fermor Road, died on Sunday
and was buried at Tarleton on Thursday. He was 84 years of age.
It will be remembered that he and his wrife, a Farrington, celebrated
their Diamond Wedding (60 years wed), last August. Mrs. Taylor is
living with her daughter, Mrs. Higham, in Granville Avenue.
Doris Iddon, Chapel Rd. H.B. has married John Banks, R.A.F., of
Croston. L/Bombadier Dick Blundell R.A. also on leave. Frank Foster
has now reached the convalescent stage. He is still, as far as is
known, in Ceylon. Muriel Iddon is much improved though still poorly.
Dick Sephton, wounded in Libya, is now convalescent.
Home for week end only:- Gdsn. George Burns, for Tom's wedding.
O/S Jack Marsden R.N. Dvr. Bob Sharples, R.A.S.C. (H.B.): Trooper
Ralph Whitehead also on leave. Have just heard that Alice Mayor,
Tabby Nook, Mere Brow is engaged to a lad in the R.A.F.
EXTRACTS
FROM LETTERS:
Airgraph from Corporal Jimmy Burns, M.E.F. says "Many thanks
for N.Ls received after many weeks adrift. (Jimmy is chasing Rommel.)
I have changed my address no time to write hard at work, but very
happy. I came across Sam Iddon from Hoole the other day. You will
know whom I mean. He is one of those Iddon's from off the farm at
the top of the Brow at H.B. I wish to be remembered to all at Tarleton
and my brothers Tom, Dick and George and Harry Forrest, M.E.F.,
also Harry Crook, Jimmy Leacy etc."
Airgraph from Dvr. Ronnie Pilkington says, "I can honestly
say that I enjoyed this Chrismas more than any other since I left
you all at Tarleton three years ago. I have received another of
your N.Ls this week and find plenty of home news to read. I would
like to find Dick Gabbott who is out here. Please ask him in your
next N.L. to let me have his address. I feel quite sure that he
will be glad to hear from me. Best wishes and kind regards to my
brother Harold in the R.A.F. "
L/cpl. Harley McKean also sends an airgraph saying, "I have
not received any N.Ls just recently, but I am hoping they will be
on the way somewhere. I have been travelling about a good deal during
the past few weeks and it takes time for the mail to catch up with
us. This place is steeped in the history of Gordon and Kitchener
and is very, very interesting. This place is very hot and the thermometer
registers between 90 and 100 degrees, and it is now 8 1 43!"
Corpl. Jimmy Sutton sends an airgraph from the M.E.F., to say, "Thanks
for three N.Ls which arrived today. Did I tell you about visiting
the island of Cyprus, Allepo, Palmyra and Syria etc? . I have not
met anyone out here that I know since I came across Leslie Hodson.
Remember me to him, if possible, in one of the N.Ls., and tell him
I am very near the place I met him, and wish him all the best from
me. It is very cold here, the mountains around us are covered with
snow. I am very sorry that my Auntie and Uncle in Blackgate Lane
have so far received no news of my cousin Bill". (William Sutton,
R.A.F. missing for well over a year now.)
Sergt. Ernie Ball writes "I have been here since Wednesday
and it has poured down every day, and then people turn round and
say 'Bonnie Scotland'. Tomorrow is Sunday, but not for us. We start
at the usual time and finish at 5.15 p.m. We have four periods a
day on drill and have to walk approx. 3/4 mile each day, so by the
end of the day our "plates of meat" (feet) are rather
sore and tired; anyway its all in a lifetime. I should think by
this time all the G.P.O. staff for miles around know your address,
because your weekly average must be very high." (The Rector
sends on an average 300 letters every week.)
L/S John Coulton R.N. (Hesketh Bank) writes "I wonder if you
would please remember me to my old pal Joe Moore, R.N., through
the N.L.? I believe that he is now serving abroad. Oh!, will you
please change my address as above. I have had quite a number of
back dated letters arriving addressed wrongly. W.S.D. instead of
L/S H.S.D., and they must have found their way to some Wren's Depot
thinking the W.S.D. meant Women Sailor Dept., or a girl sailor,
as the saying goes."
Seaman William Ball (Scoot), who is now back on his ship and far
away, writes, "The weather out here is lovely and warm, plenty
of fruit including oranges, tangerines, and lemons. Apart from fruit
there is little and the people at home are very lucky compared with
the people out here. We were very highly honoured on one occasion
in having a great man give us a little speech. It is something I
will never forget. Thank you for the four N.Ls I received on arriving
in port."
Dvr. John Caunce writes "Just a few lines to let you know that
I am still bobbling about, although my knee is giving me a lot of
pain. I went out on Wednesday for my usual drive and I was lucky
enough to get Mr. Arthur Worth. Mr. Worth is coming home tomorrow,
so if he calls in to see you he will tell you what kind of a driver
I am. "
LAC Tom Dandy writes "I have been to so many new places lately
that I am only just settling down. I received 8 N.Ls yesterday;
they had been following me all over the place. I was very glad to
read them, I would like to be remembered to all the lads from Tarleton."
Sapper James Harrison (Kearsley Ave.) says "I have had a fortnight
here on a refresher course. It hasn't been bad, and whenever I could
I have been to look round the City. There are some grand canteens
here. I am afraid that I must make this letter pretty short or I
shall have a pressing engagement with the O.C., if I do not get
in for eleven, or in Army Language 23.00 hrs."
AC Riding (New Road), says "Permit me to thank the various
bodies for the Christmas gifts received. They were very welcome.
I am writing this in a Red Shield Club, with wireless blazing, and
heat and smell pervading all. Still they are very helpful and much
appreciated.
AC Tom Parkinson (Carr Lane) writes "If we have to go abroad
I would rather go straight away and get it over with. I hope and
pray that we shall have a safe voyage and a quiet return. I take
this opportunity of wishing you and all the S.S. Teachers and Scholars
a happy Easter. Please give my best wishes to all the lads and lassies
from the village in the Forces, and especially, to the Rowland Bros.
and T. Tindsley. I hope to get back to the S.S. again, for I don't
think that war will make me lose faith in God."
Gunner Arthur Harrison says "Thanks for the N.Ls. They are
more than ever interesting here. As I told you in my last letter
I am not allowed to tell you where we are, or what we are doing,
or what kind of weather we are having. We get more news in the N.L.
than in all our letters from home so I thank you from the bottom
of my heart. " |
