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No:235
RECTOR'S WEEKLY NEWS
October 5th 1944

My Dear Boys and Girls,
As you know you are all remembered everyday in fact twice every day, in our prayers in the Parish Church. Every morning in the week at the 8 o'clock Celebration of Holy Communion you are remembered, and every evening at the 7.15 Service of Intercession the village family prayer for you all is said by everyone present. There are too many lads and girls from the parish now sending to mention each one individually by name, so I have divided the list into four and every Sunday at Holy Communion and again at Evensong a quarter of the names will be read out. That will cover a month, and if there are five Sundays in any month the general list will be read out. I am sending a list of the Sundays when any individual names will be mentioned to the mothers, wives and children of those on each list, so that they can make a point of being present in Church and join with their brethren in remembering their loved ones. I am also sending a similar list to each of you, so that you will know that on that particular Sunday we are mentioning you by name before the Throne of God. I hope, and in fact, I feel sure, that you will yourselves make a point of being present at some Service on that day and remember us at home; or if no service is available, that you will say a prayer for your comrades from the village, and for all of us who have you so much at heart. I think that this will unite us still more, and keep us together as a united family. I always think that Psalm 133 begins so beautifully "Behold, how joyful a thing it is brethren, to dwell together in unity"; and it ends on an equally beautiful note "For there the Lord promised His Blessing; and life for evermore".
So look out next week for the special card, which I am sending.
With my love, my Blessing, and all my Prayers,
Ever your affectionate old friend and Rector,
L N FORSE

Home Front News
The infant son, and first child, of Mrs Harry Latham (nee Elsie Bailey) was christened on Sunday, at Tarleton Parish Church, with the name of Brian. Mr Joseph Bailey, the Churchwarden, was one of the Godfathers.
The infant daughter of Mr Mrs William Coxhead, Sollom, was also christened on Sunday at Tarleton Parish Church with the name of Maureen. Mr John Harrison who was crippled with rheumatoid arthritis and used to go about Tarleton with two sticks and who was knocked down a few weeks ago by a trailer which came loose from a lorry, died on Thursday in Sharoe Green Hospital, and was buried at Tarleton on Tuesday. He was 77 years old. Mrs Jones, wife of Colonel Jones MBE, of Bank Hall, opened the Bring and Buy Sale organised by the Mothers' Union, in the Church Schools on Saturday, in aid of their Comforts Fund and the Rector's NL Fund. The proceeds came to £45. Frank Foulds, who as recorded in last week's issue, was in Preston Infirmary with a cracked skull as a result of a cycle accident at Hoole, is now home again. It seems his skull was not cracked. Mrs John Caunce, Mere Brow, is now home from the Willows quite recovered after her severe operation in Preston Infirmary. Tarleton Methodist Chapel Harvest Thanksgiving last Sunday. Mr Harker, circuit minister from Ormskirk preached, Musical service in afternoon, Harvest Tea in Chapel Schoolroom on Monday. Dr Croft who has been in bed with a broken leg, as recorded in a previous issue is now home again after a very short convalescent holiday. The Fawk family, who came in 1940 to live at Plox Brow have now returned to Liverpool, much to the regret of Tarleton people. Both Bert and Matt Fawk made themselves very acceptable to Tarleton lads.
Mrs Bert Marsden has given the Rector 25/- for the NL Fund; the result of raffling a Tea Cosy. The Rector and Readers of the NL thank her very much. Holmes Chapel Harvest last Sunday; Special Preachers and Music. At the Mothers' Union Sale of Work on Saturday last, Mrs Robinson won a very useful and beautiful doormat knitted in coarse coloured string, or thinnish rope, by Tom Spencer and his shipmates.
Mrs Mary Taylor, widow of George Taylor who died 24 years ago, died at Church (the place near Accrington, not the building) last Saturday and was brought to Tarleton to be buried on Wednesday. She was 70 years of age. Joe Rimmer of Moss Side Farm, Mere Brow, has been sent down the mines as a 'Bevin Boy'.

On Leave:
William Ball(Scoot); Harry Crook; Robert Parkinson; Tom Fazackerley; Albert Becconsall; Harry Price; Fred Pollard; Billy Whittle; Edwin Johnson (Fortnight's agricultural); Maurice Haskell.

Correction:
In last week's issue we should have put that the Rev.A Harrison, Vicar of St Cuthbert's, Preston, was the Preacher at our Harvest Evensong. Mr Smithies, the new Rector of Rufford preached in the afternoon. After being three weeks in Preston Infirmary, Hugh Hart, who drives for Tommy Ashcroft, Mere Brow, is now home, but not yet back at work.
Mr and Mrs Hugh Cross have left Tarleton and have gone to live at North Road, Bretherton. Mrs Cross is still continuing her class in Tarleton Church School. The Matron of Preston Infirmary has written to the Rector thanking him and the parishioners generally for the gift of fruit and vegetables from the Church Harvest Thanksgiving, which was earmarked this year for the many wounded Servicemen at present in Hospital.

Extracts from letters
Sapper Eric Abram (Blackgate Lane), airmails from CMF "I'm still OK over here, having plenty of fun, the nicest weather and plenty of fruit. We get a good deal of sport, although we have been having it pretty rough lately with raids and shelling, but things are quietening down now. Remember me to Bob Latham and all the rest of the boys in the Forces from Tarleton and district".
ACL Eric Ball, RAF (Hesketh Lane), writes from BLA "I have now been out here in France for a week and am settling down to the harder, rougher life of the Tactical Air Force. I am very fortunate in being able to converse with the local villagers because I can remember a useful amount of French from when I was at school. I have got used to the insect visitors which we have in our tent. The most common one is the earwig, and every night we have a purge of them before we go to bed. Remember me to the lads in the ATC".
ERM Dick Burns writes from his ship "After the King had paid his visit to Italy you will remember he sent his best wishes and congratulations to the Mediterranean command. You will know what that meant - splice the main brace. It is the first I have seen since I have been I the Navy which is nearly three years now. I see in the NL that Bert Price wishes to be remembered to me. It came as quite a shock as I thought he had forgotten me. Also Jimmy Leacy owes me a letter. So will you try and find room in the NL to return the compliment to Bert Price, and my best wishes to my brothers Jim, Tom, George and Fred, my brother-in-law Harry Forrest, and Bert, Hugh, and Nick Melling".
Pte Billy Lowe airgraphs from India "I was deeply sorry to see in the NL that Tom Parkinson has been killed in action. He used to be my Sunday School teacher. I am in the best of health and eating well; for as you know all we farmers are always ready for our meals. Remember me to the Home Guard and Sandy Laing, and all in the Forces".
Pte Arthur Barron (Wesley Cottages) who is on a Hospital ship, writes, "It is very warm here, we have quite a job to get used to the sudden change of temperature. I have seen quite a lot of interesting places, which doubtless you know. We have a very busy time when we have patients on board. The Chaplain is kept quite busy visiting the different wards. We have pictures on board, two shows each week. Please remember me to all in the Forces and to the Home Guard".
Dvr Bob Iddon (Bretherton - used to work for Jack Mee), airmails from CMF "Our gun is in the workshops just now, and the truck has stayed with it. The workshops are near a decent town and I have had quite a nice time here. I have seen five good films and am hoping to see an ENSA show tonight. The gun is almost finished and we shall be going back tomorrow. Remember me to all my friends from Bretherton and Tarleton".
Sapper Norman Barron writes from BLA "George Barker is still with me and I believe he wrote to you not long ago. I am somewhere in Belgium, which is about all I can tell you; and believe me, it is far behind Tarleton in my opinion. I would very much like to be remembered to Jack Moss, Ken Nicholson, my cousin Dick Gabbott, Stan Johnson, and all the rest of the lads in the Forces. I did hear that Ken's brother Eric got married, so I would like to send him my congratulations. I also believe that he has re-joined his old Regiment". (Quite right Norman, he is both married and back in the Army with his old crowd.)
Dvr John Caunce airmails from CMF "We have reveille at 6.30 am and at that time the Sgt comes round and gives you a call. Well, as you know, it takes more than a call to wake me. My mate with whom I share a room was away on detachment when yesterday morning the Sgt gave us the usual call. Johnny did not hear him, and not being a very strict platoon no one else came in. Later in the morning the Sgt says "Send Johnny Caunce out with this wagon". Well they hunted the workshops, but there was no Johnny Caunce to be found. So the Sgt says "I will go and see if he has gone to get anything from his billet". When he arrived there at 9.30 Johnny was still snug and warm in his bed. The Sgt wakes him up and what a shock I got when he said, "It is 9.30". Anyhow we have some very good NCOs and nothing more was said about it, only now and again they make a joke about it".
Cpl Will Bridge writes from BLA "A short while ago I wrote and told you that you had "demoted" me. Well, now the NL I have just received was addressed to Dvr instead of Cpl. I think that someone must want to bust me, as the saying is. So that is what I want to say, Rector; otherwise everything is OK. We still hold our little services under the apple trees and I really do enjoy them. Sorry for this short letter, but I am just off out again". (Sorry Bill, about the demotion, I can assure you it was purely an oversight, probably due to tiredness on my part. Remember I must write the NL when I have finished my work at night, and often sit up to two o'clock in the morning to finish it, and then have to be up again in time for the 8 o'clock Service of Holy Communion in the morning).
Gunner Philip Rigby airgraphs from SEAF "I am feeling a lot better after being in Hospital with malaria, What with being in Hospital and moving into action I have had little time to write. I have come across a man from Marshside; his name is Johnson and he is in the same Troop as myself. I have had leave during our rest and went up into the hills, and enjoyed the cool climate for a change. What a lovely change to see snow once again after the heat, flies etc".
L/Sergt Tom Tindsley writes from BLA "I have been posted to the Brigade and with it have been promoted L/Sgt. I thank you for all the happy times I have spent reading the many issues of the NL. It has grown into quite a district affair now and I am sure it is sowing the seeds of inter-village friendship which will be quite beneficial after the war. At the present moment we are very busy, but not under fire, so that is something to be thankful for. My kind regards to all in the Forces and those at home. Keep smiling and look UP is my message to them all".
Gunner Arthur Harrison writes from BLA. "We have not had any mail for a week as we are nowadays always on the move, but I did get your double NL OK, and thank you very much. I think that I can honestly say that I think that I shall be well in the running for your Berlin medal as I am not far off it now. I have just written to my wife and Margaret Golifer (nee Coulton), my wife's friend".
Stoker Will Melling RN writes: "Just a line to let you know I have changed my address, I only came here yesterday so I suppose last week's NL will have gone to my old address, I am still waiting for a ship and am hoping to get a long week-end leave in about a fortnight if I haven't got a ship before then. I am off duty all this week-end".
Billy Winward (Granville Avenue, off Moss Lane) who is working as a civilian, building bridges in Paiforce) writes "I have received the NLs regularly for more than twelve months now. Please discontinue sending the NLs after the beginning of November, as I hope to thank you personally in the New Year for the pleasure I have had reading them. I also hope that many others will be back in the Parish before Spring, without the shadow of 'leave expiry'.
Ldg/MN Arthur Proctor RN writes from his station in the SEAF "This place is not too bad, but I'm afraid we do not possess a Church; but we have Divisions once a month when the first Lieutenant gives a short sermon and I might say makes a nice job of it. I have not received any NLs for some time, but I must not grumble as I have had my share and about six at once will come as a nice surprise. The best of good fortune to all in the Services".
Dvr Jack Robinson writes from BLA "In this letter you will find another one from a Southport lad who knows the village quite well. I have been with him two weeks and this morning we had to part, but it was great to meet someone I know, out here in France. Does the card you sent for the first one into Berlin apply to the Army as well as the Navy and Air Force. If so I don't think I shall be very far from winning it. Remember me to all the lads and girls in the Forces, and to all out here".
Dvr V Sinclair writes from BLA "You may be wondering why I am writing and even more who I am, but I feel I would like to enclose a few lines in Jack's letter. We played football against each other in the local league in pre-war days, and now, for the last fortnight we have had the good fortune to be stationed together. It was a big surprise to run across Jack. We have very much in common and I have enjoyed our stay together".
Dvr Fred Bentham writes: "I joined this new regiment three weeks ago, and expected to go overseas, but it has not come off yet. By the way I'm in the 1st Canadian Army now, but I haven't noticed much difference. Please remember me, through the NL to R Iddon (Chunky), F Burns, and all my pals in the Forces".
AC1 Alf Rowland writes "This camp is quite near the village of - which has one shop and post office combined, a few houses, of course, and a very small Church, although I have not been inside it yet. My friend Gordon and I have paid the Church at --- a visit. This is the smallest Church in England. We often go to --- as it is the nearest village where there is dancing which is held in a barn. I am now resting after being in Hospital for two weeks following an accident. I was knocked off my bicycle - damage done to myself, left collar bone broken and minor bruises. Please remember me to my many friends, brothers Hugh and John, Bill Wright, Ralph Whitehead. By the way Tarleton looked very nice the other day when I was 5,000 feet up in the blue".
LAC Tom Smith writes "Will you please make a note of my new address and give me the opportunity of catching up with the local news. I wrote about five weeks ago to let you know I was down here dodging doodle bugs. They seem to have quietened down lately, though seldom a day passes without the sirens letting us know that they are still working".
Dvr Albert Becconsall writes: "I have been here about one month now, but we kept getting our address changed every week, so I thought that I had better wait until we got settled at one place, It is very nice scenery round here. I am getting the NLs OK".
Dvr Billy Whittle writes "There is little fresh here except the weather. It is raining like - and blowing a hurricane. I have been on a general tour of the town this week-end and didn't find it very amusing, so I came back here and had a look round the docks. On a certain merchant ship I found two Preston lads and spent the evening with them in their cabin. We had a nice hot cup of cocoa about 9 o'clock and then they proposed a look round the ship. She has been converted to carry liquid milk".
WRN Agnes Swift (nee Agnes Rigby) writes "I got a surprise last week when I was appointed by the WRN's Education Authorities to teach scientific dressmaking to the WRN's personnel here, and VADs attached to our Hospital. As I am very keen on this work I am only too pleased to be of assistance. I see that when Jimmy broadcast it was announced in the NL as LAC Jimmy Swift. He has been a Corporal since last year". (We apologise to Jimmy and his wife for this mistake, due probably to the Rector being tired and overworked when he wrote up the NL. Sorry Jimmy and Agnes)
Pte Will Seddon (Hutton, married Alice Fazackerley, Gatcliffe Farm), writes:"I am getting the NL very regularly each week since I came back. I expected seeing you before I went back but you had a wedding on at Church when you let my cousin, the Rev James Seddon, from St Simon and St Jude, Southport take it with you. I should have liked to have been at your Church for the Harvest. I expect Alice and Billy were there".
AC1 Edwin Barron writes: "Like everybody else, I have looked up my Demob. Number. Mine is 27 - not too bad I think. Please note my new address. For the time being I am working in the Unit Office, and any NLs addressed as before would be liable to go astray. I hope that you are keeping well, and the old typewriter is still standing the strain".
AC2 Leslie Clarkson (Bretherton) writes: "The news is very good these days so I hope that the war will soon be over, and let us all be together again, for I am sure everyone is ready. Remember me through the NL to Harley McKean, John Ball (Bretherton), Robert Iddon (Bretherton), and all the lads and lassies overseas and at home. And may we all soon get back to our villages".
Dvr R Noble writes "The censorship is now off and I am able to say a little more. We are very busy loading up supplies for the other side. I, myself, am a Mess waiter in the Officers' Mess, and I found the job very interesting. I would like to be remembered to Bob Rimmer of Holmeswood, as he was in the Home Guard with me; also to all now serving in HM Forces whether overseas or at home".

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Diner in hotel, looking at the food the waiter had set before him; "Waiter, this food is not fit for a pig to eat".
Waiter: "Very good sir, I will take it back to the kitchen and bring something that is".
The New Weapon: The following letter, which appeared in the Radio Times for Sept.29th, will be of interest to those in India, Italy and the Desert. "We have created a new record in a new branch of war fare. During the months of July and August, armed only with the Radio Times, we of a Signals Workshop have destroyed 2.827 wasps, with a further 850 probables and an unlimited number of near misses".
Dr Croft and Mrs Burns tie with each other for the honour of having the most sons on our Roll of Honour of men from Tarleton who have served during this war.