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January 1918
Three carol singers raised 6s.7d for the High Street Roll of Honour.
A Geranium Day raised £10.17s.6d for the Queen Street Roll of Honour.
The League of Ropeholders held an annual tea for 90 children but they had to bring their own provisions.
All public houses closed for a Day of Intercession.
Rushden agreed to allocate 1½ cwt of margarine to Higham Ferrers as they were prohibited from buying it in Rushden.
Rushden Orient beat Rushden Church Lads by 17 goals to 1.
The Milk Sellers Association was requested to ensure adequate supplies for infants and invalids.
The Rabbits (Prices) Orders 1918 fixed the maximum price for a wild rabbit at 2 shillings [£0.10].
A naval balloon was seen at Ditchford with its grappling irons dragging. The young pilot, who was lost in a snowstorm, managed to land it.
Nine inches of snow fell but three horses with a snowplough cleared the main street.
The Co-op opened soup kitchens so young children would have sufficient food to keep them warm.
The London Central Meat Co. closed its Rushden shop because it had no meat to sell.
February 1918
Mr.B.M.Jones was appointed head of the National School at a salary of £155 a year.
Captain Alan Marriott was awarded the Military Cross for work in Palestine.
The Rushden Allotment Society had 708 members.
Thirty-six gallons of excellent soup were sold at 3d a quart.
The Urban District Council received 19 circulars in one day from the Ministry of Food.
A biplane inscribed “Presented by His Majesty the Sultan of Johore” descended near Wellingborough Road and was placed under guard by the Rushden Volunteers Platoon.
German prisoners marched via Rectory Road to Rushden House to live in the coach house and stables. They were to work on the land.
March 1918
The Coffee Tavern Co. had its 36th annual meeting and recommended a 2.5% dividend.
Butter shortages meant only persons with tuberculosis could have an extra allowance.
The beer rationing scheme was adopted by Rushden clubs.
April 1918
The Rushden Echo commenced its 22nd year.
W.Brown and P.Lovell patented a tin box with a lid having half ball bearings and a spring for gripping. They also intended to patent adjustable crutches.
Girls sold primroses and raised £6.7s.4d for the York Road Roll of Honour.
Sixty Rushden men were reported to be Prisoners of War.
May 1918
A demonstration of “Goodyear” welting was given at C.W.Horrell’s.
A postcard was received from Nesbin, Turkey, addressed to Rushden Echo, Northants, England, near Heaven.
June 1918
The Wellingborough Motor Bus Co. showed a net profit of £3,779.13s.11d and paid a dividend of 15%.
Mrs Thomas Patenall, Mayoress of Higham Ferrers received the OBE for services to the country.
Influenza was rife and many shoe factories were seriously dislocated. |
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July 1918
Mr.W.Roe ploughed 40 acres of land with a Government “Fordson” tractor. This was a record for one week’s work in the county.
Electricity charges were raised by 20% for power and 22% for lighting and heating.
Seats for wounded soldiers were placed in various parts of Rushden.
August 1918
A 2 year old was found straying along the railway line and taken to the Police Station. His mother came to find him having dinner with the Inspector’s children.
The Prime Minister’s message was read out at the Royal Theatre and the Picture Palace and was received with ringing cheers.
Bertram Allen, maker of artificial teeth, was granted a 3 month war service exemption.
September 1918
Three Rushden men were summoned for playing nap for money in Spencer Park.
Work began on St.Mary’s spire and was expected to cost over £100. The earliest repair date found on the spire was 1498AD.
Rushden Carnival made £959 for the P.O.W.
October 1918
Mr.F.Knight said women were largely running the boot factories so it would be unwise to ask them to volunteer for the Auxiliary Army Corp.
Gas saving was practised at the Fee Church Federation meeting by dispensing with the usual vote of thanks.
The C.W.S. factory had 60 people absent due to influenza and newspapers were also late.
November 1918
The R31 dirigible passed over the town.
The terms of the Armistice were first published at 5.31pm on Monday 11th November. Free copies of the Rushden Echo were distributed all over the town with the news of the cessation of hostilities. Factory hooters sounded and St.Mary’s bells rang a joyous peal. The streets were full of flag-waving crowds.
Schools re‑opened after 3 weeks’ closure due to influenza.
Two nurses made 8,035 home visits during the year.
December 1918
The collection of fruit stones and nut shells for anti‑gas masks ended.
J.E.Bishop of Harborough Road grew a beetroot weight 8lb, using ‘electrified’ seed.
As soon as lamp lighters could be found 50% of street lamps would be lit again.
Roll of Honour subscriptions were closed.
A profit of £150 was made at the Art Exhibition in aid of the YMCA Hut Week.
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