Web Transcript © 2003 Hubmaker. All rights reserved.
Reproduction by any means strictly prohibited.

No:281
RECTOR'S WEEKLY NEWS
August 23rd 1945

Jap Victory Number

My dear Boys and Girls,
At last the day we have all looked for throughout the past six years has dawned, and complete victory has been won. We have, indeed, much for which we have to thank Almighty God, and we do thank Him.
We have had a Thanksgiving Day for VE Day, and we have had another one this week; but our chief and most glorious Thanksgiving Day will be when you are all once more safely home and gathered together in your Parish Church as one family. I hope to make that day one to be long remembered in the parish. There is reasonable hope that that day will be about the turn of the year. And just one word. I do hope that, as one by one you are demobilised, you will come to Church on the very first Sunday after and thank God for your safe return and the many other blessings He has vouchsafed to you. That, of course, is the right thing to do.
With my love and my Blessing,
Ever your affectionate old friend,
L N Forse

HOME FRONT NEWS
Great Victory rejoicings in Tarleton last week. Fosters and Marsdens had barrels full of fireworks which sold like hot cakes. Boys had bonfires on recreation field. Village well beflagged, especially the schools. Special Thanksgiving Service on Victory night in Parish Church. Very good attendance. Another Thanksgiving Service on Sunday afternoon with equally full Church. Vera May Iddon, Carr Lane, was married on Tuesday in Tarleton Parish Church to Ronald Knight, Hesketh Lane. Reception and Wedding Breakfast in Schools. The Banns of Marriage between Lily Tindsley, Hundred End, and Flt-Sgt David Hanson, Kearsley Avenue, were published for the first time on Sunday. Mrs Johnny Hague (nee Peggy Taylor, Gorse Lane) has presented her husband with their first child, a girl. Mrs Percy Sanderson, Hesketh Lane, has presented her husband with their fifth child - a boy. All the others are girls. Horace Hornby, Hesketh Bank, was knocked down by a motor last week near Newarth Lane, HB, and was badly hurt. The hedge bordering Liverpool Road and Blakemoor's cornfield, by the Old Church caught fire on Tuesday. Southport NFS Fire Brigade was called out, and after some hours got it under. Mere Brow Horticultural Show was held last Saturday in field facing School. Very good attendance. Mrs Robinson, Plox Brow, won four first prizes for bread and cakes. The Tarleton ATC joined with the Southport Squadron and went to camp last week at the Fleet Air Arm Aerodrome near Warrington. The Rector went by car to see them on Friday. An ATC cadet, Cpl Wm Powell, of Birkenhead and the Pilot of the machine were both killed when the aeroplane in which they were flying crashed in Seddon's field, between Sollom and Holmeswood, on Friday last. The aeroplane was a Firefly, and had come from the Fleet Air Arm Aerodrome at Burscough. It was embedded 10 ft in the ground. Mrs Hodge, Church Road, mother of Company Commander Harry Hodge, NFS, is seriously ill. Mr Arthur Dandy took his Bible Class boys for an outing to Southport on Monday.

ON LEAVE
David Rimmer; Norman Wright; Frank Timperely; Will Riding; Jimmy Swift; Henry Moss; Arthur Croft; Eric Hind; Harold Aspey.

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS
Gunner Dan Stazicker writes from CMF "We are situated right up in the Alps a few miles from Mont Blanc. I have travelled from Reggio Calabria, which is right on the toe of Italy, to Montenisio, which is a small village on the Italian-French border. Since the war ended we have been on POW duties and now we are guarding the frontier. A short while ago I was stationed in the same place as Tommy Burns, but we only got to see each other there a couple of times before we moved, he going South and I North. Yesterday it rained here in the valley, but it snowed on the mountain tops. Since last Christmas I have had three leaves in Rome, and two in Florence and I've been to Venice and to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa." LAC Charlie Wright (Tabby Nook) writes from SEAF "At the present moment I think I am in one of the last places in this country, you do not need to move before the sweat is simply falling off you. I had the surprise of my life a couple of weeks ago when I met Hugh Melling. I think we were very lucky as neither of us was stationed at the place where we met, but were simply passing through it. As a matter of fact I was staying a few days and Hugh was only staying the night. We were able to spend a few hours together, and I can assure you it makes all the difference meeting someone you know. Please remember me to Charlie Wright (Chuck), Robert Bond, Bill Hudson and Richard Taylor; it's a long time since I heard anything about them."
Pte Ernie Nicholson writes from India Command, "Well, here I am in the "mystic East" after a pleasant voyage. I am still in the ship so I don't know yet what the place is like. I received the NL yesterday, and in it I see that Dick Blundell is about 30 miles from here, so I may see him. I also hope to see Ken who is out here somewhere. I will write more fully when we get ashore and have seen a thing or two. I am hoping that I shall soon be back for good in cold England." Dvr Joe Wait writes from CMF "Yesterday I had a very pleasant surprise I had just come in from watching a cricket match and had sat down on my bed, when who should pop his head in the doorway but John Caunce. I did not recognise him at first, but he soon spotted me. He had come along with a corporal who wanted to see a friend of his, and he just happened to glance into my room and spotted me at once. Of course there were the usual greetings, and we were soon chatting. It seems that John is stationed 70 miles from here. We were both disappointed when the time came to part. My kind regards to all the boys and girls in the Forces, especially, of course, to my two brothers Edgar and George, and to Tom Spencer and Harry Iddon." Dvr Bill Whittle writes from BLA "Just at the moment I am feeling a little out of place among these lads as they are getting all their campaign medals. Five all told; and I cannot even claim one. Honestly I feel quite awkward. When I was due for leave I wondered if I had changed any during my vacation on the continent, but I found out, nearly as soon as I arrived home, that after being in the old village so long, no matter how long you are away, you soon fall back into the old routine." Stoker Jack Twist writes from his ship HMS Adamant, "You will see by the address that I have left the "Stubborn" but I am hoping to go on another submarine soon. I think that I can now tell you that I am somewhere in Australian waters. It is about three months since I had a NL but I am hoping that they will be following me round. I would be very grateful if you would remember me through the NL to three of my old pals, Bob Latham, Eric Abram, and Norman Wright." Gunner Arthur Harrison writes "The world to-day is in a very poor state and it is up to each one of us to try and put it right. Our first thoughts in our rejoicings over the final victory will be for our boys from home who have been prisoners in Jap hands. And we must not forget those who have lost their loved ones. To them goes our deepest sympathy. There is little news to tell you from this place." Fus. John Hornby (Fermor Road) writes from CMF "I have been in hospital for six weeks with Fibrositis. I am now back in Convalescent camp on the Lido, Venice, and I am quite enjoying it down here by the sea; but give me Southport any day to Venice! By the time you get this letter I hope to be back with the battalion, which is now part of occupational troops in Vienna. Please remember me, through the NL, to my old friends and work pals. Nick Taylor (HB), Jim Latham, Fred Taylor (Hesketh Lane) and my kind regards to all in the Forces." Dvr John Caunce writes, "We are now working on ammo dumps. The other day we had 17 wagons in a field loading up with ammo. There was only one way into the field, and the same way out. We had civvies loading, and one of them must have been smoking for without much warning the field got on fire, and up went the ammo sky high, taking five of our wagons up with it. Luckily none of the drivers were hurt, but some of the civvies were killed. We had to make a quick dash for a ditch which was our only cover. Shells were flying all over the place. Well, don't worry, we are not working this dump any more. Gunner Billy Hull writes from BLA "I am now at BUNDE in Germany, and we are having quite a strange task set us to do. We are turning the town into a British Compound for the use of the Allied Commission for NW Germany. I am not sure whether we are staying here or not, but our job is to get all the town evacuated, and the Germans must leave everything except their best clothes, cutlery, and enough utensils for the number of people moving. We have been living in a cigar factory - not a bad place for smokes. We have all got the Churchill touch now. We have a large café - a beer garden before we arrived - and we have concerts and Church Parades in it. Remember me to my brother-in-law, Jimmy Sutton, also Vernon Ogden, Ken Ogden, and all the others. I am in the constructional party, as a "chippie" - a busman's holiday, but it is better than patrols and guards."
Petty Officer Arthur Proctor writes from Ceylon "One of the boys on the ship has a tiny monkey which is only five weeks old but he appears to have much more life in him than we have, for one has to have eyes in the back of one's head to know what he is up to. He comes along and wants to play, and if he is not in a playing mood he wants to be nursed until he goes to sleep. He tried to make friends with one of the kittens to-day, but when it spit and snarled at him he ran as though he were pursued by old Nick. Give my kind regards to Jimmy Southern, Jack Hodge, and Jack Waters, and to all in the Services my kind regards."
Cfn J Mayson (Brick-kiln Lane, Rufford) writes from BLA "Although not directly connected with Tarleton, I have a few friends there and know, personally, some of the lads you mention in the NL. The NL is very interesting, and I only wish Rufford had one, but it's too late now thank God, to start one. I am no longer in Germany, being stationed once more at Antwerp. I am now looking forward to when you can meet me at Preston Station in my Group 26 Demob Suit. Marine Wm Hillman writes from a Naval Hospital in Kent, "The Peace celebrations down here broke out in a big way when the false news of the Jap surrender came through. All the hospital wards were in an uproar. Sisters were dancing about trying to get things in order, and singing was still going on at midnight, while parties marching round the hospital grounds banging on the doors in the dark. Most of the lads in this hospital are just back from the Far East, and so the news really does mean something to them." Mrs Darnell (nee Margaret Ball, Hoole) writes, "I am now back in Civvy Street, having got my release from the ATS. My husband is in Italy at the moment, but I am hoping that it won't be long before he, too, is home for good. My visit to the Dispersal Centre at Ashton-Under-Line only took two hours. I must say that the organisation there is simply marvellous - and believe me, it is just as easy to get out, as it is to get in!! I wonder whether I shall continue to receive the NL now that I am home. If so I should be very glad. L/Sgt Tom Tindsley writes from BLA "Please let me take this opportunity of greeting all our readers of the Nl with a prayer that we may all be re-united ere long to our loved ones at home. I have been more than a little interested in your recent news about housing and the prospect of some fifty houses in our parish is encouraging. I only wish that they were available now." Gunner T Fazackerley writes, "We still haven't sailed for India, as our embarkation has been put back owing to the end of the Jap war. At the present moment we are billeted in Butlin's Holiday Camp, and getting plenty of rest, and have the best billets we have ever had. I have been spending my time and money learning to roller skate, and find it much harder than it looks. I see that we are to have fifty new houses, and I am sure we must thank you for pestering the right people, and I feel certain that you will see that the lads who need them get fixed up. With all the best wishes to those at home and abroad." Pte Ronnie Sergeant writes from BLA "I am stationed in a small village called REINFIELD, which is situated about 7 miles from Lubeck. Before we were here we were stationed in a very big German sea-plane base, the whole place was absolutely intact and had not been bombed. On exploring the place I found a huge stack of 'perspex' (plastic glass used in aircraft), so I gathered quite a lot and brought it away with me, and since than I have been busy making models etc. I have also taken an interest in photography since I have been over here, and have just finished making an enlarger, and was quite satisfied with the results when I tried it out. There is an abundance of material over here for the job." Thomas Coulton (Mere Brow) writes from Watford, near London. "I had a very enjoyable time on VJ Day seeing the Royal procession after the opening of Parliament. We had a marvellous time. We ended up the day by having an impromptu dance in Parliament Square to music from one of the many loudspeakers installed down all the streets. I shall remember for a long time the crowds of people with rattles, paper hats and streamers. I have definitely fallen in love with London." Just as we go to Press a letter comes from John Caunce saying that he is expecting to go to Austria. It is, of course, a large country, but just in case he might be in the neighbourhood, Sid Ball is at KLANGENFURT in Austria, with the 34/61st, Heavy RA. Any other lads who want to know where their friends are can now more or less find out if they will send a letter to the Rector asking for the information. As Joe Wait mentions in his letter it was only quite by chance that he tumbled across John Caunce, and it may often happen that two old village friends are quite close to each other without being aware of the fact.

Jap Medals
The Rector is offering two more medals for the Jap Campaign. They will be given to the first Tarleton man, be he in the Navy, Army or RAF who enters Singapore, and Tokio. Further particulars will be given in our next week's issue. The medals will be similar to those that the Rector has given for the first to enter Berlin, Kiel, and the German aerodrome commonly known as the Berlin Medal.

Brain Twisters
1. Spare a Copper. There were five collecting boxes in a church, each begging money for a different purpose. We will call them a, b, c, d, e.
Here are some of the facts about them
1. In all the boxes there was a total of 30/-.
2. In a and b there was together 6/-
3. In b and c " " " 10/-
4. In c and d " " " 14/-
5. In d and e " " " 18/-

What, of course, was vital to know was not how much any two boxes contained, but how much each separate box contained. With the particulars supplied you can find out what was the sum in each box.
What were they?

2. The Macpherson Family Mrs Macpherson has 3 children, nothing remarkable in that, but what is curious is that if you add the ages of the children together you get exactly the same result as if you multiply them together. What are the ages of the 3 Macpherson children?

3. The Links There were 6 pieces of chain, each containing 4 links. The owner wanted one long chain, so he went to the blacksmith and asked him how much he would charge to join all six small chains together. "Well", said the blacksmith, "my charge for cutting and joining each link is 4d. What was the least the blacksmith could charge for joining up the chain?"
--------------------------------------

Answers to Brain Twisters
1. This wants some thinking out. But here is the answer. a,b,c,d,e, added together total 30/-. Also a and b; b and c; d and e; added together total 48/-.
These facts are given us.
Subtracting b, c, d, together equal 18/-
And as b + c equals.
It follows that d equals 8/-.
We are told that d + e equals 18/- Therefore e equals 10/-.
Also c + d equals 14/-. Therefore as d equals 8/-,then c equals 6/-.
Similarly a equals 2/-, and b equals 4/-.

2. They are 1, 2, 3, years old

3. The Blacksmith cut each link of one of the pieces of chain, leaving five pieces of chain to join together. The four links served to do this. Thus the sum resolves itself into four links at 4d each, which comes to 12/4d.

The Lighter Side.

Brown; (to his friend in a tiny two seater run-about) "That's a nice little car you've got. What's the most you've ever got out of her?
Smith; "My daughter and six of her Yank friends."

Tramp: "Is your husband at home, lady?"
Lady: (doing a bit of quick thinking) "Well if he's finished his revolver practice, he'll be in the yard exercising the bloodhounds. Do you wish to see him?"

The soldier's dilemma: "If I were in the RAF I could name my airplane after some good-looking girl. If I were in the Navy I could name my ship after her. If I were in the Tank Corps I could name my tank after her. But I am only a foot-slogger. Is there any pretty girl who would like my feet named after her?"

AB: Found a weevil in my biscuit this morning, sir. Got it 'ere in a matchbox.
Capt. To PO.: Take him away and read him the regulations about keeping pets on board.