The death took place on Christmas Day at 11a.m., of Mr William James Ekins, aged 45. He took to his bed on Dec. 14th, having a small wound in his hand, which had developed into blood-poisoning. He had been landlord of the Royal Oak for eleven years. Mr Ekins was a native of Rushden, where he took a great interest in club life before leaving for Irthlingborough. He was on the Rushden Athletic Club committee and was a keen sportsman. Deceased was formerly a sergeant in the R Company of Volunteers. At one time he was a Rugby football player, and had figured in the Rushden Town Hockey Club team. He leaves a widow and three children—two daughters and one son (Pte W G Ekins, of the 11th Battalion Northants Regiment). The funeral took place on Tuesday.