Rushden Echo, 16th October 1914, transcribed by Kay Collins
Stanwick Soldier’s Death
Victim to Consumption Through a Chill Taken in the Trenches
In last week’s “Rushden Echo” we recorded the death of Private Sidney Warner, of the Royal Engineers, a son of Mr. Warner, of Stanwick. Deceased took a severe chill in the trenches at the front, and was sent back to England. At Netley Hospital consumption supervened, with fatal results. In view of the sad circumstances, a painful interest will be taken in a letter received by the bereaved parents from their son when on the outward journey to the front:-
“I am feeling grand now, and the people as we pass along the roads give us beer, wine, milk, coffee, tobacco, cigarettes, matches, pears and plums, bread and butter, and at one place even handkerchiefs to wipe the sweat from our faces. The French and Belgian people are very kind-hearted.”
Writing after he had been invalided home he said:- “I have been invalided home with a sore throat and a strain on the chest. It has been a terrible journey. First, on a wagon for four days; then on an ambulance for one day; then on motor lorries two days; then in the train for four days and five nights; then at the base hospital. I was jolly glad to get there, and bought plenty of milk, which I was lucky enough to get on the journey. I got on splendidly during the six days I was in the Base Hospital. They put us on the river boat down to the sea, got on board ship after waiting for days to do so, and arrived at Netley yesterday afternoon, about 4 o’clock, and am feeling better already.”
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