The Rushden Echo, Friday 2 March 1917, transcribed by Nicky Bates
Street War Shrines for Rushden - Four More Dedicated Services by the Rector
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Crabb Street
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Four more war shrines have now been erected in Rushden, one each in Roberts-street, Harborough-road, Crabb-street and Denmark-road, and these were dedicated in their respective order by the Rector (Rev. P Robson) on Saturday afternoon. The services were short but impressive, being conducted in the same form as the services over the shrine in Cromwell-road, and there were a good number of people present at each dedication. All the shrines are similar in structure to the one in Cromwell-road, the first one erected in Rushden, and all four have two small Union Jacks crossed over them, and a golden cross painted on the top of the woodwork with the Union Jack painted on one side of it and the red cross of St George on the other. An appropriate prayer is printed at the bottom of each roll, underneath the names.
The Roll of Honour in Denmark-road, is erected outside a dwelling-house half-way up the street. As yet it has only one name; Jim Murdin on its list of dead, and 15 names on the active service list. White flowers on its base are prettily arranged with green foliage.
The Crabb street shrine is erected outside a dwelling house at the bottom of the street, facing Park road. The flowers, pink, white and yellow, are delicately arranged round the bottom of the roll, which bears the following names on the death list: Bert Hodson, Victor Marshall Moon, Frank Sheffield, Horace Sheffield, Sydney William Denton and Arthur Smith. Wm Sargent is a prisoner, and there are about 14 names on the active service list.
The shrine for Harborough-road, Park-road, Park-place, and Dell-place is paled outside Mr Clayton's shop at the corner of Park-road and Harborough-road, and is the largest yet erected. It was made and presented by Mr Clayton himself, and underneath the crossed flags is a beautiful laurel wreath, with two red, white and blue rosettes. The care shown in the arranaement of the white and yellow flowers is evidence of the pride taken in the shrine by the people whose sons the erection represents. The death list on the shrine contains the names: Thomas Dickens, Fredk A Clayton, Jack Snowden, Lewis W Craxton, Arthur E Atkins, Thomas C Harley, John G A Scott; the 'prisoners of war' lists: Herbert Whiting, William Sargent, and there are between 140 and 150 names on the active service list.
All the street shrines have a box underneath for gifts of cigarettes and money, etc, and the response to these is, we understand, generous. Altogether the matter of street shrines is being taken up with great enthusiasm.
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| Rushden Echo, 4th January 1918, transcribed by Gill Hollis
Which Street Holds The Record?
A Crabb-Street Boy’s Wish - Rushden Lads with the Colours
Mrs. Newman, secretary of the Crabb-street Roll of Honour, has received some interesting letters from the recipients of gifts from the Committee, and the following are samples:-
Pte. W. R. Lyne: It is nice to know the people at home think of the boys who have taken up arms against a barbarous enemy. I was glad to see the sale of work at the Rectory was a success. I saw an account, thanks to the “Rushden Echo,” which I receive weekly from my mother.
Pte. G. H. Green: There are quite a lot of Rushden fellows in our battalion, and when we are at rest for a few days we often have a talk about the old place. I am sorry to hear we have lost so many fellows out of our street lately. I have been out here 14 months without getting hit, so I think I am a very lucky chap.
Pte. Burton: I am still doing my bit, and with the best of luck. I am looking forward to being at home again this year.
Pte. J. Farrar: We have had a rough time lately, because the weather is bad, raining all the time, but we must make the best of it now.
Pte. G. Sail, writing from a military hospital: I told some of the London boys about our Roll of Honour, and they said they do not get anything like that.
Pte. W. Smith: I have a photo of the Roll of Honour, which I think the people of Crabb-street should be very proud of.
F. Collins (Belgium) says he has just been in action.
Arthur Lett: The weather here (the Western Front) is bad, but one good thing is that we are doing well at present.
F. Partridge, B.E.F.: What we are looking forward to now is a speedy peace.
Pte. F. Benning (France): I see there are quite a lot of war shrines in Rushden now.
Pte. G. A. Webb: I am unable to write any details of the war progress, but glad to say I am keeping quite well.
Lce-Sergt. J. Thompson, H.M.S.-----, Mesopotamia: No doubt you have read in the papers about the splendid victory in this part of the world. I am very pleased to say I have managed to get through so far quite safely, though I have been in a few tight corners. The heat up here is awful, but with a little luck we ought to get through this summer after sticking the summer last year (1916), and, besides, we are under better conditions this year than last. There must be a rare lot from Crabb-street serving with the Colours. I should very much like to see them hold the record for the greatest number serving from one street.
Other writers include Driver E. J. Coleman, J. W. Lovell, Gunner S. Desborough, Drummer A. W. Newsum, J. W. Page, S. Robbins, A. J. Perkins, Sapper Cox, and Crouch.
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Rushden Echo, 19th April 1918
Crabb-Street – During the twelve months which have passed since the opening of Crabb-street Roll of Honour, £34 19s. 1d. has been divided among the 67 soldiers whose names are there. Of these, ten have made the great sacrifice, one is missing, three are prisoners of war, and three have been discharged. The many letters of thanks received testify to the gratefulness of the receivers.
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Rushden Echo, 19th July 1918, transcribed by Kay Collins
A Daisy Day, organised by Mrs. H. Linnitt, on behalf of the Crabb-street Roll of Honour, was held on Saturday, when dainty blossoms were sold by numerous young ladies on behalf of the funds. The total sum raised, after the payment of expenses was £6 9s. 0d., which amount will be divided amongst the boys whose names are on the Roll.
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