Rushden Echo, 21st May 1915, transcribed by Kay Collins
Private Tim Nurrish Killed — Shot in the Head — And Killed Instantaneously
Only Seven Irthlingboro’ Survivors out of Sixteen
We sincerely regret to record the fact that Mr and Mrs George Nurrish, of 49, Lancaster-street, Higham Ferrers, have received the sad news that their youngest son, Pte Tim Nurrish, has been killed in action.
The news was conveyed to Pte Nurrish’s parents by letter from Pte A Whitehead, No 8199, B Company, 1st Northants regiment, who writes:-
“I am awfully sorry to have to inform you that your son, Pte Nurrish, has been either killed or severely wounded in action which occurred on Sunday May 9th. You cannot guess how much he was respected by all of the company and I can assure you, madam, our sympathies are with you in your sad bereavement. Trusting that you will excuse letter, as I have so many parents to write to, as the task of re-directing correspondence has fallen to me. This, of course, is a painful duty, but it must be done.”
Information has also been received from another source, viz., from Pte Ernest Horn, who had received the news from his brother Pte Fred Horn, who was in the same battalion as Pte T Nurrish. Pte Horn writes:-
“I don’t know how to tell you, but you must be brave and bear up as well as you can, for I have some very bad news to tell you. I don’t know if you have heard or not. I had a letter from Fred just now and he said that poor Timmy was shot in the head and died as soon as he was shot. I am very sorry to say that I think it must be right, for he said he was with him the night before, and he lay in the trench beside him. Fred asked me to send and tell you. He said they were in a big battle and lost very heavily. He thinks he is very lucky, for there are only seven Irthlingborough men left out of the 16 that went in the trenches with him. He says that he never thought he would get through it for he had to lie in the trenches 16 hours without moving before he could get back again.
Pte T Nurrish, before leaving Higham Ferrers, was in the employ of Mr E H Horrell, farmer, Higham Ferrers, and enlisted about two weeks after Higham Feast. He was at home about the middle of January and left for the front about a week later. He was in his 21st year. Deceased was at one time organ blower at the Higham Ferrers Wesleyan Church and was a member of the Higham Wesleyan Boys’ Brigade.
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Son of George Nurrish
We regret to record the death in action of Private Timothy Nurrish, of Higham Ferrers. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nurrish, of Lancaster-street, Higham, received the sad news in a letter from Private W. Whitehead, of the "B" Company, 1st Northants, as follows: "I am awfully sorry to have to inform you that your son, Private Nurrish, has been either killed or severely wounded in an action which occurred on Sunday, May 9th. You cannot guess how much he was respected by all of the company, and I can assure you that our sympathies are with you in your sad bereavement. The task of redirecting correspondence has fallen to me, and I am sorry to say it is rather painful, but duty must be done." A letter has also been received from the brother of another soldier who knew the family well, saying that he was shot through the head and died instantly. The regiment lay exposed 16 hours before they could move. Pte. T Nurrish joined the 1st Northants Regiment last September, and went to the front early in January. Before enlisting he worked at Mr Horrell’s farm; he was a member of the Higham Wesleyan Chapel, and some years ago was organ-blower there. The last letter he wrote was received by his parents the day after he was killed. At the conclusion he said: "It will soon all be over," and also said that he would arrange for another soldier to write to them. Evidently the poor fellow had some strange foreboding of evil.
