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Transcript © 2003 Hubmaker. All rights reserved.
Reproduction by any means strictly prohibited.
RECTOR'S WEEKLY NEWS
March 25th 1943
My
Dear Boys and Girls,
This week I came across this little verse. It will probably not
appeal to all but I feel sure many will appreciate it and the fulness
of its meaning.
'It
is not natural', my body cries,
When my soul seeks to lift it to the skies;
'I am of earth and want the earth. Let be;
This fleshless soaring was not meant for me'.
'O
body thou art heavy;' cries my soul,
'And course and crude thy comfort and thy goal,
I would that I could rid myself of thee-
Yet if I could, where would my offering be?'
Ah,
Lord, Whose blessed Body, given for me,
Can give to soul and body unity,
Teach me Thy truth, that so it may suffice
To wed them both into one sacrifice.
With
my love and Blessing,
Ever your affectionate Padre,
L.N.FORSE.
HOME
FRONT NEWS:
Mr. William Thomas Kerruish, who with his wife came to live in Tarleton
three years ago, died on Tuesday very suddenly while listening to
the wireless. He was 61 years of age. He was buried at Tarleton
on Friday in the same grave as his only son, and only child, Rear
Gunner Sergeant Ronald Kerruish, who was killed while on a Bombing
expedition over Germany. Mr. Kerruish was a Captain in a Liverpool
Regiment in the last war and won the M.C. for conspicuous bravery.
Arthur Dandy has left Garlicks and is now working in a munitions
factory in a nearby town. John Ashcroft, the tailor, Hesketh Lane,
has been for his medical.
Kenneth Dandy, Bank Bridge, and Hugh Sutton, Bretherton, went together
on Monday to join the Navy. The rector accompanied them as far as
London.
Tom Walsh has been home on embarkation leave. Petty Officer Nick
Forshaw is now at sea. Mrs. Knight has to go into the Infirmary
for an operation. Austin Barton, Moss Lane, has been home on embarkation
leave. Tom Spencer is home on leave.
Mrs. Moss, Chapel Road, H.B. died last weak. George Bamford (Poodown)
Bretherton, who works at Forshaws, Confectioner, went headlong over
his bicycle handles and was badly knocked about.
Elsie Bailey is marrying Harry Latham at Whitsun. Aubrey Smith writes
that he expects to get married shortly.
Mrs. Stazicker has collected £15 during the past year for
the Preston Infirmary Linen Fund. It was all given in shillings.
Four Swans coming, it is thought, from the Botanical Gardens Southport,
are nesting on the river Douglas somewhere between Bank Bridge and
the Lock.
Banns called out in Church this morning of L/Cpl. Leonard Waddilove
and Hetty Harrison, of Banks, who is the youngest sister of Tom
Harrison, Jumps Farm, Mere Brow. Mabel Cookson, Chapel Road, H.B.
is marrying Jeffrey Wright of Southport. L/Cpl. Harry Cookson is
home on leave, so also is Corpl. Robert Moss.
EXTRACTS
FROM LETTERS.
Dvr. Billy Harrison, Kearsley Avenue, writes from North Africa to
say "I have just been reading the N.L. dated Jan. 14th, and
I see that Pte. George Farrington wishes to be remembered to me.
Will you, please, in your N.L. tell George that I have received
his letter and answered it. I would also like to be remembered to
John Caunce, and also to my brother Tom in India. Tell him I am
in the best of health and shall soon be as fat as he is. I see in
the Parish Magazine that my brother Harry is still doing his duty
at Church. Tonight it is thundering and raining cats and dogs."
L/Cpl. Stanley Johnson also writes from N. Africa to say. "I
am glad to say the N.Ls have managed to find me out here. Well here's
a bit of news about N. Africa. I have been snowed up in a million
mile per hour blizzard; been frozen on an 8,000 ft. mountain; soaked
to the skin in beautiful raindrops the size of cannon balls; and
boiled like a kipper in a bit of glorious sunshine. I have met Billy
Harrison, he is stationed not far from me. I got a surprise when
I saw in the N.L. about my pal Norman Barron getting married. Here's
wishing him luck and hoping he is as satisfied and proud of his
wife as I am of mine. P.S. My bed is a concrete floor, with three
blankets."
Trooper Tom Rigby (Toll Bar) writes from India saying "I have
received news that Tommy Barker, of Walmer Bridge, is stationed
five miles away, and so I am going to try and see him at the weekend.
I have had the good fortune to meet some English people out here
and we go dancing every week. I would be grateful if you could remember
me to Walter Rawsthorne as I have written twice and got no reply."
(Walter is in Canada, Tom, and it takes a good time to get replies
to letters from where he is.)
Dvr. Fred Taylor sends from N. Africa saying "Yesterday afternoon
I received three N.Ls and they were very welcome. I am writing this
letter while waiting my turn to go on guard. Before I close I would
like to be remembered to Arthur Worth and all in the Forces from
Tarleton and H.B."
Sapper Dick Johnson writes from the Middle East "Thanks for
N.Ls. Yesterday being Sunday, we had our usual Church Service in
the Garrison Church and it was almost full. Next Sunday the preacher
here is the Bishop of Ripon. I believe it is the first time a Bishop
has taken a service here. Last Saturday I was in Cairo on a trip
arranged from here":
Marine Leslie Hodson, writes from the East saying "Thanks for
N.Ls which I receive quite regularly. Also for the Parish Mags.
When I look at the picture on the cover of the old village it makes
me sit and think how long it will be before I see it again. After
spending nearly two years out here I have at last managed to contact
my home pal, Bill Wright, and it was quite a pleasant surprise.
I hope to see a lot of Bill in the near future. I've seen many strange
and beautiful sights out here, but, believe me, I and the other
chaps, would rather see the old Church Tower than all the beauties
of the East."
Chief Petty Officer John
Hornby, B.E.M. writes "Just a line to thank you for your
very interesting N.L. which I received before I finally left my
ship. I am drafted here for an Officer's Course. Then, if I am promoted
I hope to come home on seven days' leave in the middle of April.
It was a big break leaving my ship, but in the long run it will
be beneficial to me."
L/Cpl. Tom Tindsley writes "I have been at the Royal Corps
of Signals' Training Batt. for N.C.Os. We have had a concentrated
N.C.0's course which covers every thing possible from Drill on the
square to Tank fighting. I have not received the official results
yet, but according to my squad Instructor I came out top of my squad
and was in the running for the qualification mark 'D', which is
the highest grading possible. Heartfelt greetings to all in Tarleton,
especially my cousin Hubert, George Almond, congratulations to Harry
Forrest, best wishes to Frank Foster and a speedy recovery, also
to Harry Price and Tommy Parkinson, now on the high seas, and please
return my regards to Jack Edmondson."
Richard Iddon, builder, Gorse Lane, who has been sent far away to
carry on his work making aerodromes, writes "Many thanks for
N.Ls. I can well understand our lads looking forward to these, and
if you can find a corner in the N.L. I should like to be remembered
to all in the Forces. This is a very quiet spot, and Tarleton is
a Town to me now. The nearest bus service is 2 1/2 miles away."
L.A.C Freddy Pollard, R.A.F. writes from a very far away island
to say, "Thanks for N.Ls which I receive regularly, I really
do not know how I could get on without them, up here. These last
few Sundays I have been playing the organ for the Services at the
Methodist Chapel here. We are kept very busy at work, but I generally
find time in the evenings to do a spot of reading and studying.
There is quite a fair sized library in the Games Room and there
are a few good books in it." A/C 2 Freddy Coupe, R.A.F., to
whom we owe an apology because although we took extracts from his
letters they have been squeezed out for the last two weeks through
lack of room. However, he is in this time alright. He says "I
have not been able to arrrange a meeting with Jack Robinson yet,
but I will do so when I get the opportunity. These days seem to
fly along and it won't be many weeks before I am home for a few
days' leave. I do look forward to being at home and once again being
in Tarleton Church. Please remember me to Malcolm Parkinson and
Roger Watson."
Pte. George Farrington writes "You will already know that I
am to be married at Tarleton on Easter Saturday so I will soon be
a member of that good old village. "Will you please remember
me to Dvr. Bill Harrison and to Gunner Harry Woosey."
Sapper George Barker writes to say "I managed to see Norman
Barron and he told me the W.O. had put him through as a stone mason
and now he has had to have his leave cancelled while he goes on
a course. From what the other lads say I understand it is more like
a brick layers course, so I think he should come through with flying
colours."
L/Cpl. Frark Foster writes about his accident as follows: "One
bright morning I was riding passenger in one of our lorries when
it came to an abrupt stop with its nose wrapped round one of those
concrete island affairs. My head came in violent contact with part
of the cab and nearly severed my temporal artery. Then someone came
along in a private car and deposited me at the nearest military
hospital. On the 14th which was my birthday, they allowed me some
visitors, kiddies who brought me a lovely iced Birthday cake. My
friends here (Ceylon) have been really marvellous, floweres and
visits and so on". |
