Thrilling Flight in The Air - Rushden Soldier’s Vivid Story
“War Over Next February” - Saxons “Had Enough of it”
“The Northampton Arch,” and “Worcester Sauce”

Private E. Clark (Rushden), of the 2nd Northants Regiment, son of Mrs. F. Clark, of 40 Pemberton-street, Rushden, has spent seven days’ leave at home after having been at the front for 16 months. This was the second time he had been allowed to pay a visit to his mother, as he was at home in February last after suffering from frostbitten feet and a wound in the hip at La Bassee.

Since that time he has fought in two big battles, and, although he has had two rides struck by bullets, he has himself escaped further injury; we are pleased to say.

Interviewed by a representative of the “Rushden Echo” he said:-

“I think the war will be over by February next, as when the Saxons are in the trenches opposite us we are talking to them all night long, and they say they have had enough of it and are ready to pack in at any time. They sometimes give us a song, and we give them one in return. They seem a decent lot of fellows, and sometimes shout ‘If you don’t fire, we won’t.

“One night a working party of the Worcesters were busy repairing their parapets when the Germans sent up a ‘very light.’ The Saxons opposite them set up a cheer, and as another ‘very light’ went up they shouted ‘Get down, you fools, we have got to fire.’ The Worcesters scrambled into their trenches, and after about four minutes the Saxons sent over a volley, but none of the Worcesters were hit!

“In the last battle I took part in – Flamelles – we had orders to leave all souvenirs behind with the transport, as an attack was to take place. We marched up to the firing line and relieved the Lincolns, and remained in the trenches for four days. All that time we were under heavy shell fire and at the same time our artillery was shelling the German positions and smashing up their barbed wire to make way for the attack. On the fourth night we received orders to go back to the second line, and the Lincolns took our place in the firing line. We were then in second line of reserve to the Lincolns. All our bombers were attached to the Lincolns for the attack, and, when they charged, our bombers went over with them. They succeeded in taking three lines of the enemy’s trenches, but after holding them for about 1½ hours they were compelled to retire to their original positions through being outnumbered. Word was sent to us for reinforcements, and our captain, as soon as he received the message, shouted ‘Now, boys, off with your packs,’ and away we went to the firing line. We took up the position with what remained of the Lincolns and succeeded in stopping the German counter attack.

“We expected to be relieved that night, but a message came through that we and the Worcesters were to try and cut off some ground that was under enfilade fire. We started digging on the first night, and after we had completed about 500 yards of ground we came up to the Worcesters, who had been digging towards us from our right. As we marched through the newly made sap the Colonel said ‘Now, boys, dig hard, and well in, as it is for your own good. You have got to hold this position all night.’ His words had the desired effect, as it was not many minutes before we had dug low enough to keep us safe from the enemy’s bullets, as every man worked like a lion. We held these new tranches four days, and all the generals were very pleased at the good show we and the Worcesters had put up. The ground we pinched that night may have saved thousands of lives, as no doubt we should have suffered severely if we had attempted to take the same positions by direct attack in the daytime.

“This trench has been given the name of ‘Northampton Arch’ and ‘Worcester Sauce.’

“One of the most thrilling sights I have seen since the commencement of the war was about two months ago. About 17 of our aeroplanes were flying over the German lines when all of a sudden a German aeroplane was sighted coming towards our lines. At once one of our aviators detached himself from the rest of the squadron, and made for the enemy machine. As soon as he got into range he opened fire with his machine gun, the German commencing to fire at the same time. After about half a minute I saw the German machine dart rapidly towards the ground, but the airman regained control and made towards his own lines.

“Our aviator at once got in front of him, and compelled him to turn back. He kept encircling round about him, firing at him all the time, and compelling him to go just where he didn’t want to, and finally he brought him to earth. The enemy aviator kept on firing at our machine until he had almost touched the ground, and as he came to earth a regiment was passing on a road nearby. The German at once opened fire on them with his machine gun, killing two and wounding one other. However, both pilot and observer were finally taken prisoner, and the machine was captured. The observer of our machine was awarded the D.C.M. for his brave feat.

“I am the only one engaged in sniping in my regiment that comes from Rushden. I think I can account for a few Germans since I started on this game, about four months ago. Practically every night I am out in front of our lines, seeking for information regarding the enemy, and sometimes I go out in the daytime as well when it is foggy. An officer usually accompanies me when I am on this work. Sniping is very dangerous work, but it is as good sport as rabbit shooting.

“My opinion is that the Germans frequently stick up dummy figures on their parapets to make us think they are looking over. I have had one or two narrow escapes while I have been sniping. One such was about a week ago, when a bullet whistled within about an inch of my ear and buried itself in a tree at my side.

“Out at the front one can see plenty of German uniforms lying about and rotting. They must have been there for months. One may also see bones and skulls kicking about, but we take no notice now of such gruesome relics. What amuses me is what is supposed to be Frenchmen living within about a quarter of a mile of the firing line. In my opinion a lot of these so-called Frenchmen are nothing but spies, and I think we should do better if no civilians were allowed within six miles of the firing line.

“I have been pleased to hear that Rushden has sent so many men to the colours whilst in larger towns near by dozens of young fellows may be seen walking about in suits of the wrong colour. I think every singe-man, rich or poor should be compelled to join if he is physically fit, as the married men, up to now, have enlisted in the proportion of three to one to the single men. I can’t understand why single chaps hang back, as even after they have enlisted they will be kept in England for at least four months during training, and then they would say that they have never had a better time in their life. They would only have about two parades a day, and they could still meet their girls if that is all that is holding them back. If they get warned for France or any other of the fighting fronts they ought to be allowed to take their girls with them, if they are afraid to go without. My opinion is that if the single chaps had half as much pluck as English girls you wouldn’t see one walking about who was not in khaki. If they don’t come soon we chaps at the front will begin to think that British pluck is a thing of the past with a good many of them. If they could only hear what the chaps at the front are saying about them, they would hurry up and enlist in case the war should finish before they have got into uniform. If they could only see their comrades, who may perhaps be related to them, lying dead, they would not hesitate. All I can say is that if they honoured the Northants Regt. for what they have done they would join their County Regt, and help it to sustain the honour it has already gained. I can’t understand Northants chaps joining other regiments, when their own County Regt. so badly needs men. In any case, if they go to the front in any other regiments I can give you my word they will be asked why they did not join the Northants. My final word to Rushden and district fellows is ‘For God’s sake, come on and do your bit. Don’t hesitate any longer!’ ”