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Transcript © 2003 Hubmaker. All rights reserved.
Reproduction by any means strictly prohibited.
RECTOR'S WEEKLY NEWS
March 11th 1943
My
dear Boys and Girls,
If you find the Home Front News a little meagre this week I apologise.
I have been away for three days, having been called to Bournmouth
to see my brother who is ill. Hence, having done very little parochial
visiting, I have got very little news. Of course, the more visiting
I can squeeze in the more news items I pick up. Well, here we are
in Lent. A grand opportunity for everyone to put on one side a little
time to think of more serious things. The most urgent question we
have to ask ourselves at the moment is what are we doing individually
to prepare ourselves to take a hand in establishing a better world
after the war. No one can make anything really worth having without
some preparation and previous thought. Well, Lent provides a grand
opportunity to think. Use it rightly and you will never regret it.
With my love and my Blessing,
Ever your affectionate fellow-thinker,
L.N.FORSE.
HOME
FRONT NEWS:
Mr. Herbert Parkinson, Moss Lane, went to Broadcasting House on
Sunday and took part in the "Country Magazine" discussion
on 'Greenhouse sterilizing", He was especially asked go to
London for the purpose. His talk was very interesting and most instructive.
Corpl. Frank Foster has now written home to his parents f'rom Ceylon,
saying that he is now well on the way to complete recovery and is
being looked after well by many friends out there.
Congratulations to Harry Forrest, M.E.F., on being made a Sergeant,
and to Dick Burns, who did extremely well in his recent exams and
has been promoted to E.R.M.; R.N..
Mr. Thomas Harrison, Kearsley Avenue, last week picked three large
bunches of rhododendron flowers from shrubs in the near vicinity.
The Guild of Players produced three short plays in the Schools on
Friday evening. The Home Guard had a Social evening in the Schools
on Wednesday night. Their own band was in attendance.
Young Dan Ball went to London last week end with a friend who lives
there. Muriel Iddon is now much better and able to take short walks
outside.
Cliff Hambilton writes home to say that he had an excellent Christmas.
He and his fellow prisoners of war got up a pantomime. They also
had a Fancy Dress Ball, and Cliff got First Prize, and in addition
they made a very excellent Christmas cake from what came in their
Red Cross parcels. Alexander (Sandy) Laing has joined the Royal
Marines and goes on Monday.
On leave this week: Bob Sharples, (H.B.) on embarkation. Billy Benjamin;
Dick Townsley; Harry Crook; Arthur Harrison; Charlie Wright (Tabby
Nook); Will Hudson, (Mere Brow) ; John Caunce.
Dan Stazicker has gone abroad; Tom Parkinson (Carr Lane) has gone
with him. The rector went to Bournmouth last week for three days
to see his invalid brother, who is very ill, hence the scarcity
of news this week. On Shrove Tuesday the rector had a lemon with
his pancakes. It was sent him by one of the lads who actually picked
it himself while chasing Rommel into Tripoli.
EXTRACTS
FROM LETTERS:
Dvr. Robert Bond, Mere Brow, sends an airgraph from the Middle East
to say. "There is one thing you will be interested to know;
that is I have John Iddon from opposite the Conservative Dance Hall,
who is better known as 'Prime'. I only wish I could meet more of
the local lads out here. Please tell 'Chuck' Wright that I have
not forgotten him although it is quite a while since I wrote to
him. I wish to be remembered to all the boys and girls in the Forces
and hope that 1943 will see them all back home. Cheerio, keep smiling."
A long letter from Jack Robinson, who is overseas, says "I
am writing this letter in my car while the Padre is visiting some
of the lads. We get all over the place, but I don't get to see any
of the lads from the old home town. Fred Coupe said he would meet
me last week, but when I got his letter I was going out with the
car and could not get away. Glad to hear that Frank Foster is getting
better, and remember me to Harry Woosey, and hope they will both
soon be well again. I have got Ronnie Iddon's address and would
you please remember me to him through the N.L.".
Dvr. Harry Price writes while still on board his transport, saying
"Well, sir, I suppose you have heard by now that another bit
of good old Tarleton is on his way overseas. So far we have not
struck port, but by the time you get this letter I hope to be seeing
tropical life. I shall keep my eyes open for Frank Foster and Ken
Robshaw. We expect any day now a visit from old Father Neptune.
Please convey my best wishes to my brother Bert and All".
Sapper Dick Johnson writes from a General Hospital in the M.E.F.
to say 'the Padre has paid us a visit bringing with him all the
latest wireless news of what is happening here. Unfortunately we
have no wireless in our tent. Next time you send a N.L. will you
please enclose the address of Jim Burns. The mail is coming through
very badly just at present".
Dvr. Jimmy Harrison writes "I am receiving the N.Ls very well
up to now. I have received four since I have been in North Africa.
Yesterday I was in town and I saw a wagon with Police written on
it, and when I looked inside it was Stanley Johnson who married
Polly Hunter; so we had a good talk about good old Tarleton. I would
like you, in your next N.L. to give my best wishes to my brother
Tom, now in India, and tell him I'm in the very best of health.
I would like to tell you this before I close. I would not change
from active services to be back in England, as you have not much
red tape over here, and you have not the Officers and N.C.Os nagging
you all day".
Dvr. Fred Taylor writes from the same quarter as Billy Harrison
saying "Many thanks for the N.Ls which are reaching me. I see
that a lot of Tarleton lads are coming home on leave. Well, all
I can say is that they are very lucky. We have a Boxing contest
on to day. It starts at 2 o'clock and finishes three hours later.
Before I close would like to be remembered to Arthur Worth and all
the boys from Tarleton and H.B."
Seaman Jimmy Latham says "I received an N.L. from the.....(his
last ship), and it has chased me all over the country. The country
and weather here are lovely. The daffodil fields are a mass of colour,
and I have made some good friends here in the village; also I attend
Sunday School at the Methodist Chapel, taking a class of boys there.
I agree with you, sir, about the new world after the war, and for
the people to be fit to run it correctly. I think we have a turn
to take in some respects as far as Christianity is concerned, and
our way of living, and our following of Christ."
Engineer Room Mechanic Dick Burns, R.N. writes "I came here
last Friday. It took us 36 hours to get here, and by the way I have
often heard you say, when anyone told you about a certain place
they were at, 'I know it well'. I would like to bet you have not
been here before, as it is one of the most remote places I have
ever been to. It is a deadly place". (You are right, Dick,
I never have been to the place you are at.) Dick goes on "I
wrote to tell you that I had passed my last course successfully,
but failed to see any comments about it on the N.L. (It was in,
Dick, alright. I heartily congratulated you, but if you did not
see it, I will congratulate you again. We are all proud of you for
the way you have pushed on so splendidly.) Dick ends, "Please
pass on my best wishes to my brothers and brothers in law in the
Forces and all the lads away from Tarleton".
Bdr. Dick Blundell, R.A. says "I have been promoted and I am
now a full Bombadier. Last Sunday morning we had a ten mile cross
country run followed by a short Service given by our regimental
Padre, after which he celebrated Holy Communion. Rather a mixture
on Sunday morning, I agree, but I am certain that everyone enjoyed
it very much. Please give my regards to Vernon Ogden, Bert Fawkes,
Rowland Bros.,John Iddon, M.E.F. (Gorse Lane) and Sid Ball."
Wireless operator David Hanson, R.A.F. says "Everyone here
is wireless mad , you've got to be to make the grade. Last week
I was picked for guard outside the camp, and I have never had a
better time in my life. We had plenty of food which we cooked ourselves,
and jolly good weather. Our Padre, Sqdn. Leader Johnson, is one
of the best fellows one could wish to meet, he is more like one
of us than an Officer, and he took the names of those who have been
Confirmed. You would be surprised how few there are."
Pte. Martha West, A.T.S. writes from a Toc H. to say "Remember
me to all the boys and girls of Tarleton in H.M. Forces, and thank
the M.U, the British Legion and all the people who have sent me
money, but I can't just think of them all just at present. I went
on a big Church Parade last Sunday and it was very good."
Pte. Evelyn Taylor writes "I am pleased to hear Frank Foster
is recovering from his accident. Please remember me to him, also
to my pal Eva Foulds, A.T.S. I haven't much time to go to Church
here as I am a cook. Maybe, when I get posted I may have a chance
to go. Please would you remember me to Bobby Moss, Hesketh Lane.
Tell him I would like to hear from him. I have often wondered how
he is getting along."
Trooper George West says "I have been a few times to see Jeff
Wignall, Grace Rigby's husband, who is stationed here with me, and
believe me it is grand to meet someone from Tarleton. Would you
please thank the Bowling Club, M.U., British Legion, Conservatives
etc. for the gifts received at Christmas."
Pte. Eric Booth writes "I was thinking that if the rector was
as long in sending the N.L. as I have been in writing to him, I
should be grumbling. I have always managed to get to the Sunday
Services at the local Chapel. On Monday night I was honoured by
being a member of a Brains Trust. Remember me to my Brother in law
Harry Woosey and to all the Tarleton lads." |
