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No: 272
RECTOR'S WEEKLY NEWS
June 21st 1945

My dear Boys and Girls,
I am still clinging on to the hope that some lad from Tarleton will find himself in Berlin before I have finally to decide who is to win this particular medal, and failing Berlin itself what is to be the alternative. Harry Price has made a good suggestion. It is that I ask our ex-POWs to write a few lines at the beginning of the NL. I will most certainly ask them. The thoughts of all of us must now turn to the far East, and we must let all in that theatre know that they have our constant prayers for an equally speedy victory in that quarter. Have you noticed that all the principal leaders in the Western War, Statesmen, Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen alike, have been inspired with Christian ideals, and made the campaign a Crusade. We were bound to win in the end when we took the Cross for our Standard. So, too, in the east. There also we have equally devout leaders, and we must join our prayers with theirs for a final and speedy victory. And don't forget, in your prayers, our lads who have been prisoners of war in Japanese hands for more than four years. They, especially, need our prayers. With my gratitude, my love, my prayers and my blessing,
Ever your devoted old friend, L.N.FORSE.

HOME FRONT NEWS
Miss Wright, who lived with the Butterworths in Church Road, died on Sunday last, and was buried at Tarleton on Wednesday. She was 82.
Mrs. Fletcher, Holmeswood, went in their car to see Mr. Sidney Dandy, at Oak Cottage last Monday afternoon; her husband got out and was talking to Mrs. Dandy, when Mrs. Fletcher opened the door of the car as though to get out and fell dead on the kerb. Mrs. Dan Southworth has presented her husband with a baby girl. Chapel Tea Party on Saturday last. A glorious day, hot and sunny; the usual procession round the parish. Silcocks on Fair Ground with a very great amount of tackle, including a chair-o-plane. Mrs. Knight and her son Ronnie have given to the rector, as chairman of the Welcome and Welfare Committee enough printed tickets to give one to each Tarleton and HB Serviceman and woman on demobilisation entitling them to attend the Queen's Cinema, Tarleton, entirely free at any performance for a whole month after being demobilised. The rector will see that each ex-Serviceman and woman gets a ticket immediately they return to civvie street. The rector has thanked Mrs. Knight and Ronnie on behalf of all those serving in HM Forces. George Formby told the rector on Monday he was going to London in a fortnight's time to make a new film, but he did not say what it was to be called.

ON LEAVE
William Caunce (Holmeswood); Ted Barnish (Hoole); Bert Wignall (HB).

THE LIGHTER SIDE.
Tom and Joe were discussing matters in their billet. Says Tom to Joe: "What does your wife do with herself during the evenings while you are away?"
Says Joe to Tom: "She's attending evening classes."
Says Tom to Joe: "What's she studying?"
Says Joe to Tom: "She's doing one of them courses in domestic silence."

The skipper, writing up the log recording an eventful day, rounded off his task with the entry "Mate intoxicated". To the mate's indignant protest, the skipper retorted, "Well it's true, ain't it?"
Next day the mate had to write up the log, and he ended his account with the words "Skipper sober." The Captain stared at this for a moment and then exploded. "Well, it's true ain't it?" said the mate triumphantly.

The old salt limped painfully up to the bar and leaned against it in an attitude of great dejection.
"What's wrong?" asked a sympathetic friend, "Had an accident?" "No", replied the sailor, "I've just a touch of the yours." The sympathetic friend scratched his head. "What's yours?" he asked. "I'll take a tot of rum, thanks."

Socks received, lady. Some fit.
I wear one for a helmet, and one for a mitt.
I hope to meet you when I've done my bit.
But where on earth did you learn to knit.

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS
Cpl. Ken Nicholson RM writes from his Ship "Will you please extend my invitation to all members of the District, if ever they see the "Colossus" in Port, to drop in on me and say 'Hullo'. Yes. I am once more back on my old hunting ground. But this time it is we who are dictating the terms not the little man. You can't mistake this ship, it is a carrier, and you will be hearing of us in the future. Remember me to Jack Moss and Dick Gabbott and tell Dick we called in at his port." Pte. Robert Edmondson writes from BLA. "The NLs have begun to come through regularly and I am glad to see in last week's issue that Cliff Hambilton and Mick Dewhurst are safely home, not forgetting Aubrey Smith. I have had a letter from my old pal Ken Baxendale. He said he had 10 days' leave before joining his Unit, after being wounded. He is hoping to get back over here. I also had a letter from Billy Whittle who is now at Xanton. I, myself, am in civvy billets in the town of Lubec, which is more or less untouched by bomb damage." Sgt. Ernie Ball airmails from India "I think I can claim the record for a News Letter. I have just received one that went to three places in England and was delivered here in India on the 10th day. I must congratulate you on the smashing Victory number. As I write this I am sitting in just a pair of shorts, and the sweat is just pouring from me, and in the next few weeks it will be worse. I don't suppose that we shall be staying in this place very much longer, but the only thing I dread is the train journey. You have to see it to believe it. I am sure the carriages on Stephenson's Rocket were more modern than these are, and certainly more comfortable." Dvr. Jack Robinson writes from BLA "I am hoping to be home on leave before long, and then looking forward to being out of the Army for good. I am in Group 27. It will be about December or January before I get out of this. This place is called Luneberg, and is known as the Lake District of Germany. I can tell you now that I had the pleasure of driving two of the German 'big shots' to sign for the final of this lot out here; and did this old car of mine move!!!! Please remember me to my cousins Vera and Arthur Harrison, and also to Vernon Ogden." L/Cpl. John Ball (Church Road) now a CMP writes from MEF "No doubt you will be surprised to hear that I am now overseas in the MEF. I took a fortnight on the boat to get here, and I am glad to say that there were quite a few NLs waiting for me when I arrived. Please remember me to Harry Harrison who mentioned me in one of your letters which I received yesterday. I hear he has gone to BLA now, so I send him the best of luck. As I have only been here three days I cannot tell you much about it yet." Dvr. Billy Whittle writes from BLA "I have contacted Bobby Edmondson at last but I have not been able to meet him yet as he is stationed some distance off. On June 6th everyone here had the day off for VE Day celebrations, and you will guess how amazed I was to see on Company Orders "On June 6th Officers and other ranks will regard today as a day off, including Driver Whittle." I have started going to a place called Dinslaken for water. Perhaps you know there's a new bridge just completed, called 'Dempsey Bridge'. It starts at Xanton and ends nearly in a village called Bislick. Even though it is named after a 'Brass Hat', it was a Sapper from 74 Company who cut the tape and declared the bridge open. Remember me to Bobby Edmondson." Dvr. Joe Wait writes from CMF "I am now stationed at Padova, which you can mention, and if any of the Tarleton lads wish to make a date I shall be only too pleased to meet them at the shooting stalls on the fair ground any night after 7pm. R. Iddon from Bretherton signed the visitor's book at the Dorchester Club the same day as I signed it, but we did not see each other. Convey my best wishes to all in the Forces, especially to my two brothers Edgar and George, also Harry Iddon (HB) and Abraham Wright." Cpl. JH Sutton (Hesketh Lane) writes from CMF "I would like you to make a correction. In the April 26th NL it stated that I was only 57 miles from Berlin which, of course, is a big mistake. The nearest I have been to Germany or Berlin is here in Austria. It is very quiet around here and we are enjoying ourselves swimming, boating and with various other kinds of sport. We are starting a leave scheme here this month so I am hoping I shall be fortunate enough to see good old Blighty within the next few months." Sign. Wesley Watson (son of RSM Watson who married Mrs. Robshaw, Doctor's Lane, Sollom), writes from BLA "Of course, as you know, I have not yet been able to visit my new home and my stepmother at Keeper's House, Doctor's Lane, owing to my being in one of the assault forces which landed on D Day and at the time Dad wrote and told me the news that he had got married and had settled in your community. I don't know any of the lads and lassies who appear in the NL except my brother Ken Robshaw." Pte. John Ashcroft writes from SEAC "I am writing this in Ceylon and living under coconut trees. There are plenty of pineapples and bananas growing round here. I had the company of Ernie Ball on the way across. I was at sea when the war finished so that we did not get much chance to celebrate when this job out here is finished." Sapper Ronnie Melling writes from CMF "I have been in this place, which by the way is Milan, for a month now and we are hard at work getting ready for the administration district which takes over control of a large area of this country around Milan. So far I have only come across one Tarleton lad and that was Dick Townsley. We have visited several well-known tourist places one of which was Como. Several times a week I pass the place where Musso came to a sticky end with the rest of his friends." L/Cpl. Tommy Burns writes from CMF "Where I am stationed these days is right on the sea front so I get quite a lot of bathing. But this does not mean that we are not doing much work, because at the present time we are very busy. Very rarely do our drivers get a meal at the same time, but I must say that they don't complain. My release group is 25, and all being well I hope to be home this year. I went to see the football match between the England touring team and the CMF Champions, and I must say that I was not very impressed. My best wishes to my brothers, brothers-in-law, and all the girls and boys in the Forces." LAC Freddy Coupe writes from the West Indies "I'm getting really fed up with this place and am ready for a change. Very little happens here, and as a rule if anything does happen that's interesting I can't tell you because of the Censor. I suppose you are welcoming quite a few of the boys home from Europe. Maybe I'll see you in another eighteen months if I'm lucky. Petty Officer Arthur Procter writes from Ceylon "Bill Hudson (Mere Brow) is at present on leave, possibly his last before he returns home, so that leaves me on my own for a few days. I have not heard from Jack Hodge or Jack Waters for some time, so if you could find a corner in the NL to remind them I would be grateful. The other week I went on a jungle shoot with the GI (Gunnery Instructor) and a few more chums. We went about 30 miles into the wilds, and on our travels we saw a small native boy, who on being offered a few sweets ran into the jungle. I don't think he had seen a white man before. My kind regards to Jack Hodge, Jack Waters and Jimmy Southern." Gunner Philip Rigby airmails from SEAC "I have arrived back in India after a very decent crossing. The monsoon is due to start at any time and the weather here is very hot. I was on my way back when VE Day was announced, but we heard it on the wireless. I am expecting to be home by Christmas, so that is something to look forward to. Please remember me through the NL to my friend Bill Ellison." Sign. Edward Harrison (Fermor Road) writes from BLA "I notice in the NL that you say you don't think any of us will get to Berlin for the Medal. The 3rd Division nearly got there. We had all our guns and vehicles painted and varnished for the Victory March through Berlin but it appears to have been cancelled. Still I shall keep my postcard handy for some time yet, you never know what is going to happen in this Army." Dvr. Robert Noble (Rufford) writes from CMF "I am now in the grounds of the Palace of the King of Italy on MP duty round Field Marshall Alexander's HQ. It is a very good job 5-1/2 hours guard and 48 hours off duty. In the grounds are beautiful waterfalls, walks, and a swimming pool 300 yards long and it is open all day to anyone who wishes to use it. I was in the tea room yesterday where the Peace Terms were signed on May 6th. Mr. John Hornby BEM, Bos'n RN, writes from the Kiel Canal "I saw the SS Salerno through the harbour here. She was the first of our Merchant Navy to be captured in this war and the first to be released. We are doing a great job here and much as I dislike putting human beings down to the level of dogs, we are doing it with a good heart, bearing in mind that our boys were compelled to march 200 miles by these beasts. Also I have seen Buchanwald and Belsen. Please do not think that I have lost all sense of Christianity." Gunner Arthur Harrison writes from BLA "I am enclosing some postcard views of Braunlage. We have never been in nicer billets. It is a big enclosed house with hot and cold water, electric light, lovely spring beds, white sheets and also electric table lamps. So this certainly makes a nice change from what we have been used to out here. I have a good job now - I am working in the Sergeants' Mess. I am excused all Guards and other duties, so it is a cushy job. I was wondering whether there are any of our boys near the Hartz mountains. Our HW are at Bracenburgh, but we are 26 miles away, at Braunlage. I think you once told me that you were a POW in the Hartz mountains. (Yes, Arthur, at Clausthal, near Goslar, where everything was lovely except the Camp Commandant and his Staff.) L/Cpl Harry Hindley writes from BLA "At present I am at a place called Winsen, between Hamburg and Luneberg. Life is not very pleasant and we miss the good friends we made in France, Belgium and Holland. I suppose one cannot help some little feeling of satisfaction at having taken some part, however small, in a job so magnificently carried out; but the price has been heavy and one hopes that the results will bear some relation to the cost." LAC Leslie Clarkson (Bretherton) writes from CMF "I had 18 NLs waiting at 'Base Post Office' when I arrived from Egypt, for I have been out there for about five months and have not been receiving mail, being on the move every week at a different place and without a proper address. I have arrived here by air and am posted to this Squadron in CMF. The NLs will take me days to read, but it is grand to know that our POWs have arrived back safely in Blighty after spending years out there. Please wish for me the very best to my pals, such as John Ball, Robert Iddon, and Harley McKean, who is now back home." (Harley has now returned to his Unit in MEF, after a month's 'out-of-hat' leave in England). Gunner Nick Taylor writes "The latest number of the NL contains more news than ever of the old village, so congratulations upon a real crop of news, and also upon the grand Victory number. I regret to see that the usual Whit Sunday procession had to be cancelled owing to the inclement weather; many Lancashire boys in my unit have for some time been looking forward to the general renewal of the Whitsuntide treats with which they were associated in their younger days, and they were disappointed at the cancellation of so many of them." Corpl. Harry Price writes from Belfast "I am attached to this 46th Liaison HQ which is part and parcel of a large Belgian Army (it's OK to mention this in the NL) and I'm still on my DR job doing some 600 miles a week. I wonder if you could try and get each of our POWs to write for us in the NL? I am sure all the boys and girls in the Forces would be pleased, and proud, to have a few personal lines from each of them. With reference to this week's NL I think that the first girls to go overseas, to BLA or other Foreign Service, should be awarded your brooches, as they naturally faced the greatest danger." Sgt. Maurice Haskell writes "After rushing around for the last 2 days and getting numerous signatures on an arrival Form, today I have been introduced to my new section. I have not far to go for a swim because the edge of the 'drome runs right down to the beach. If you have space in the NL will you please remember me to David Hanson, David Rimmer, Frank and Eva Foulds, and all the many other lads and lasses in the Forces, many of whom I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting." ACI John Bell (Bretherton) writes "I was enjoying the 5th of my 12 days' leave at home when I was recalled and posted to this place. It is a very desolate spot, in the wilds of Suffolk. I can't say much about the camp except that it is deserted, very little entertainment, and a really awful train service. It takes about 12 hours to get to us, which does not appeal to me at all. Please remember me, through the NL, to all my friends in the Forces and in the district." WRN Muriel Hind writes "I am just writing to let you know that I am moving tomorrow, and I will inform you immediately I know my new address. I only hope that I shall not be drafted back into the Clyde area. I am going to Leeds on a five weeks' writer's course. I was very pleased to hear that the POWs were home and sincerely hope that they arrived in good health." John Spencer writes from the Lines "There is not much I can tell you about my activities in the war seeing that I work in a space 6ft. high, 8ft. wide and 3/8 of a mile underground. I wish you would tell John Caunce that it is about time he answered my letter. Remember me to John Caunce, Ronnie Iddon, Fred Bentham and the rest of the boys. This is a report from another of your underground boys."

Appreciation - The Rector has received the following from a grateful mother at Longton:-

"I wish to take the opportunity of thanking you for sending your car to Preston Station in the early hours of Sunday morning, June 3rd., and giving my son a lift home. I know that he is only one among thousands who come from BLA, but he had been travelling since Wednesday from 60 miles the other side of Hamburg, and was very tired. He was very thankful when he got to this end and found he could get home in comfort instead of having to walk. Once more I say 'thank you' and for my son also.
Yours truly H. NEWTON."