January 1942

Alice U.Muxlow, the WVS Centre Organiser, expressed her gratitude to all Rushden WVS members for their loyal co‑operation in the past and her faith in their ability and willingness to deal adequately with all the demands the future may bring, however unfamiliar and arduous they may be.

Rushden’s first school canteen opened with a four‑penny dinner party, which left 170 young diners well and truly “stalled”.  The canteen was established in ex‑warehouse premises in Portland Road and was equipped for the ultimate provision of 400 dinners daily.  The meal was shin of beef, mixed vegetables, lentils, steamed potatoes, savoys, baked chocolate pudding and custard.

February 1942

In the Aid to Russia Fund salvage drive, almost every house in every street turned out bundles of paper, books and cardboard.  About fifty tons of material was collected.  The value ran into hundreds of pounds.

The aim of Warship Week, February 14th – 21st, was £250,000 to adopt the Hunt Class Destroyer, HMS Quorn.  Rushden’s target was £160,000, Higham Ferrers’ was £40,000 and Raunds’ was £50,000.

The final Warship Week total was £200,231.  (Rushden: £118,169, Higham Ferrers: £42,832, and Raunds and Stanwick: £39,230.)  The area was to adopt HMS Quorn.

March 1942

Rushden Alfred Street School was to lose its Headmistress, Miss Doris Hill, who handed in her resignation.  She had been in Rushden for seven years.

Chief Petty Officer Alfred Percival Mepham of Wymington Road was awarded the DSM for the evacuation of Greece.  He earned his decoration serving on a “Corvette”.

April 1942

There had been another outbreak of cycle thefts in Rushden and cyclists were warned to immobilise their machines when leaving them unattended.

A Rushden Unit of the Army Cadets was formed.  More than fifty youths who attended the meeting in the BWTA Hall volunteered for service.

May 1942

Oranges were on sale in shops in Wellingborough, Rushden and district.  Previously they had been reserved for children upon production of the green ration book.  Supplies could be sold to other customers but retailers were asked to give priority to children, schools, hospitals and invalids.

A Rushden land girl, Miss Joan Wright of Holt’s Farm was interviewed by Janet Quigley in the BBC programme, “Women at War”.  She told of her work with sheep, cattle and horses and was introduced as “a shepherdess” from Rushden, Northants.

“Twiddly bits” from the railings and gates of Rushden would in all possibility become manhole covers for use on aerodromes and other military sites.  Messrs T.Swindall & Sons who had the Ministry of Works contract for the removal of metal started work in Moor Road.

June 1942

Eighty-one veteran members aged 65 and over of the Rushden Windmill Club were entertained by the Club in the Windmill Hall.  After supper had been served a concert followed.  It was hoped that the customary outing would be revived after the war.

There was no blackout where vehicles were stored at the ARP depot in Portland Road.  If lorries and trailers were required at night-time the men had to grope round the buildings.

After a full discussion on British Restaurants and whether one was needed in the town, the Rushden and District Trades Council decided to offer the Urban District Council any information within its power.

July 1942

Methodist, Alderman C.W.Horrell JP, performed the opening ceremony at St.Mary’s Church Fete at The Rectory.  Mr Horrell expressed his appreciation of the co‑operation of St.Mary’s with the other churches in the town.

The future of Rushden Junior Football League was still in the balance after the annual meeting in Messrs John Cave & Sons’ Sports pavilion at Rushden.  It was fairly certain that enough clubs would be running to make play possible.

Rushden Savings Area’s new aim was to get its name inscribed on three Army tanks.  It meant a big push in small savings during the following few weeks.

Timothy Spry wrote:-  Nearly all Rushden’s “Twiddly bits” (the name coined by a colleague meaning the ugly Victorian iron railings) have now disappeared and for the first time for years one can see that the old town has some quite interesting front gardens.  There are actually flowers in the gardens and one does not have to resort to gymnastic methods to get a good view of them.

The gathering of stinging nettles by the Rushden school children as an urgently necessary contribution to the war effort exceeded all expectations.  Over half a ton was collected and dried in the Town Football Club stand.

Two officers of the destroyer HMS Quorn were honoured visitors to Rushden, when the adoption of their ship by Rushden, Higham Ferrers and Raunds, the sequel to Warship Week, was celebrated in a memorable ceremony.  Rushden Hall grounds gave the ideal setting.  “Miss Britannia”, chosen to grace and inspire Rushden’s Holiday Fete, was Miss Jean Denny, a young lady from the Crabb Street office of Messrs Bignell’s Ltd, boot manufacturers.

August 1942

John White opened a four‑day Fete at the Hall Grounds – entertainment for all stay-at‑homes.  Some principal figures, including “Miss Britannia” and her companions, were seized and locked up for ransom in “ye olde English Stocks” – those used at Corby Pole Fair.

Now on her way to an “unknown destination”, Miss Elspeth Percival of Rushden, a Private in the ATS, was probably the first Rushden girl to be drafted overseas on active war service.  Joining the ATS in September 1941, she was attached to the Royal Corps of Signals.

September 1942

Delay in the capping of walls denuded of their iron railings was complained of at the R.U.C. meeting.

The Library Committee proposed to convert the present Reference Room into a Junior Library, using the ladies’ room as a Reference Department.  The current Reference Room was used as the local food office.

Rushden people could visit HMS Quorn, their adopted ship, whenever they find her in harbour.  A motor boat would chug across the harbour, according to Quorn’s Commander in a letter to Mrs A.Maclean, HHon. Sec. of the Quorn Comforts Fund.  Comforts included knitted garments for the ship’s company.

October 1942

No-one was injured when a milk lorry belonging to Wellingborough Co‑operative Society came into collision with a double-decker United Counties omnibus in Wellingborough Road.  The milk lorry tried to overtake a stationary vehicle belonging to Rushden Co‑op at the junction of Fern Road and Wellingborough Road.

Rushden Air Scouts had their own plane.  The Spartan biplane was in full flying order.  It was the generous gift of Mr Jack Linnell of Wilby whose only stipulation was that he would want the engine again one day.

It was agreed that the town should launch a campaign for the United Aid to China Fund, and the Aid to Russia Fund Committee were asked to carry out the work.

November 1942

A brave Rushden soldier “died gloriously”.  The Chaplain from GHQ Middle East Forces wrote “he, like many others, has made the supreme sacrifice with the utmost courage and devotion to duty.  Despite his magnificent physique, he died a few hours after being hit by a shell.  We who live have it in our power to make the self-sacrifice of men like Philip Jacques infinitely worth-while.”

On the strength of news from Egypt, several Rushden High Street businessmen gave the Union Jack a cheerful airing.

Rushden wanted a British Restaurant but had nowhere to put it.  Dr Davies said he did not know whether other authorities would allow Messrs Willmott & Co’s factory, in Portland Road, to be taken over.  Council members opposed the idea.  Dr Davies mentioned two shops in the High Street.  Mr Capon told him they had been considered but were far too small.

Rushden’s first George Cross hero, Lieutenant Dennis Arthur Copperwheat RN, received his decoration (second only to the VC) which crowned his brave deed at Valetta Harbour, Malta, where, at great risk to himself, he scuttled a blazing ammunition ship, to save the town while enemy planes roared overhead.

December 1942

Rushden’s newest War Effort was to raise £1,000 for the United Aid to China Fund.  Plans included meetings with talks on Chinese subjects, a Chinese Exhibition, dances, a house to house collection and a big salvage drive.

Mrs Grace Claridge presented her original sketch of St.Mary’s Church as seen from the War Memorial Garden, to HMS Quorn.  Her husband was serving and in making her sketch she had particularly in mind “all the Rushden boys in North Africa.”

Rushden Rotary Club organised a Christmas Party for children between eight and sixteen whose fathers were serving in HM forces overseas.  It was to be held in Messrs Bignell’s canteen.

Water from Rushden Swimming Baths was used to control a fire in the workshop belonging to Mr E.Leeding, a boot and shoe retailer of Station Road, Rushden, prior to the arrival of the Fire Brigade.

Tribute was paid to the valuable services rendered by Miss Nellie Groome when the Rushden Alfred Street School assembled in the morning to bid farewell to her on her retirement after 27 years’ service.  She had exercised influence over one-tenth of the current population of Rushden.