A Roll of Honour for Spencer-road and Hayway was dedicated on Saturday afternoon by the Rev. P. J. Richards (Vicar of St. Peter’s), assisted by Revs. Percy Robinson (Rector of St Mary’s) and the Rev. C. J. Keeler (Independent Wesleyan), who gave the addresses. The hymns “O God our help in ages past” and “Fight the good fight” were sung, and prayers were said by the Rev. P. Robson.

The service concluded with the National Anthem. The Roll contains the names of 54 lads, four of whom have died. Mrs. Ward, who is secretary and treasurer, collected all the names on the Roll, and also made a house-to-house collection, raising £5. 4s. 6d. for the scheme. The collection on Saturday was £1. 7s. 0½d. The names were nicely printed on the Roll by Mr. R. Croot, of Higham Ferrers. The committee were Mesdames Ward, Checksfield, Friends, Richardson, Pickering, Cooper and Palmer. There was a large attendance at the dedication service.

Postal Orders for 2s. each have this week been sent to the boys whose names appear on the Hayway and Spencer-road Roll of Honour. This is the second gift the previous one being 1s. 6d. each.

The Prize Draw in aid of the Hayway and Spencer-road Roll of Honour has been postponed until Wednesday, September 12th, and the result will be announced in the “Rushden Echo” on Friday, September 14th.

The Sum of 5s. 6d. was realised for the Hayway and Spencer-road Roll of Honour by Mrs Checksfield, who made and sold bags of lavender. A huge lump of coal, given by Mr John Mason, for the same object, has been sold for £1 14s. 2d. Each of the boys whose name appear on the roll are to receive a third gift, this time of 3s. The previous gifts were 1s. 6d. and 2s. each.

Another Gift of 2s. 6d. each has been sent to the men whose names appear on the Spencer-road and Hayway Roll of Honour.

Rushden's Soldier Sons - Hayway and Spencer Road District - Another Winter's Warfare?

Mrs Ward and Mrs Richardson, treasurer and secretary of the Hayway and Spencer-road Roll of Honour at Rushden, have received many letters of thanks from the recipients of gifts from the war shrine. The following extract from the letter: F J Pashler, R.A.M.C: We soldiers like a smoke, as it cheers us up and makes us think of home.

Reg Moore: I received the 2s from the Roll of Honour. I was in the front line at the time, and felt very much cheered up when I received your letter, as it shows that the folks in the old country think of us in the trenches in a foreign land. I marched about 20 miles through France, and it is a very pretty country. I heard the terrific bombardment at Lens, and it was pretty hot in our sector.

Pte. A. Smith, Northants Regiment: It is very good of our townsfolk to think of us, and we are so grateful. Hoping the war will soon end (and I think it will), so that we can all get back to good old Rushden.

Pte. F. Smith: I am in hospital in ---, Kent. I have had an operation, and am pleased to tell you I am getting on very well indeed. They look after us very well. I haven’t had a very good time since leaving Rushden, what with sleeping under canvas and so much rain, but the boys in France have harder trails than we have.

Pte. S. Knight, Lancers: Such kindness makes each one of us eager to hurry on this terrible war in order that we may return home and have the opportunity of meeting the many friends who have been so interested in our welfare during the past three years. A few months ago we were of the opinion that the war would be over before Christmas, but I’m afraid we shall have to spend another winter out here. Each week I read in the “Rushden Echo” the news concerning the different war shrines, and I feel sure that the Rushden boys are all very thankful for the kindness shown by the people at home.

Corporal F. H. Easton writes from a military hospital near Woking.

F. J. Pashler, R.A.M.C.: We soldiers like a smoke, as it cheers us up and makes us think of home.

Driver C. Blake: It shows that the people of Hayway and Spencer-road have not forgotten the boys, who are scattered practically all over the world, trying to do their bit in one way or another.

Driver J. Bailey writes from a V.A.D. Hospital near Birmingham.

R Goodman: I was very pleased to think I was remembered by the people. You can’t think how it cheered me up. And I must also thank you for the wish so kindly expressed for “good luck and a safe return”. You also said “speedy”, and I hope that will come about.

Pte A. J. Sharp, T.R.B.: It is very kind of you and the people of Rushden to think of the boys at home and abroad who are doing their bit for their King and country.

O.S. W. Bryant: I am sure I can’t thank you and the committee half enough, and I am sure that everyone else who is serving with the Colours from the district will be as pleased as I am to know that they haven’t been forgotten by the people at home.

O.S. H. Garrod: It is very good of the people who make these subscriptions for the boys in the army, for it shows they have a good feeling towards those who have had to don the khaki.

Pte. Bert Ellis: I assure you I appreciate all that is done for the soldiers’ welfare. I can quite understand the difficulties involved in keeping a war shrine fund up to the mark in a street like Spencer-road, and I am sure I wish you every success and that your labour of love will earn the everlasting gratitude of all the boys who have gone. As one who is more fortunate than a good many, I should be very pleased to show my practical sympathy for the fund by asking you if I can refund the last 2s. postal order so that someone less fortunate than myself may get it.

Lance-Corpl. B. George, Northants Regt., now in a war hospital in Staffordshire: I think it just “great” how the people at home are doing their best to comfort us in time of trouble, and I know all the women in England are doing their duty well and going through just as much as us Tommies. I dare say you know that waiting is a hard thing when one wants to see the end, which I trust will not be long now. Still, we must keep smiling, and bear our troubles the best we can.

O.S. C. E. Bates, R.N.D.: It shows there is some interest taken in the men who have gone away to put up with the hardships of this war, which nobody knows until they are in it. Up at 5.30a.m., work till about 7.30p.m., then last night, just as some of the men were in bed, the officer came in and shouted “Lights out, and take to the woods!” Some ran with their jackets off, some with their socks off, and some without hats. When we got there we had to form up as well as we could and keep silent. After standing a long time, the bugle went, and then we were sent off to bed again. They said they expected an air-raid, so you see it is not all honey.

Pte. G. H. Allen, Northants Regt.: I hope the time is not far distant when we shall be able to return home.

Pte. T. Checksfield, Beds. Regt.: Our lads ought to be proud to know we have such friends in dear old Rushden.

Pte. I. R. Brown, Northants Regt.: I was very glad to be at home for the opening of the shrine.

Hearty thanks are also sent by O.S. G. Smith, Corpl. A. G. Walmesley (Infantry Battalion), Pte. R. Dudley, and D. A. H. Dudley.

Christmas Effort—The Hayway and Spencer-road Roll of Honour whist drive and dance held at the Co-operative Hall yesterday week, was most successful. The arrangements were made by Mrs A F Richardson (secretary) and Mrs Harry Baker (treasurer), and a capable committee comprising Mrs F Palmer, Mrs H Cooper, Mrs F Checksfield and Miss F Smith: and the following ladies also kindly assisted in various ways: Mrs Pickering, Mrs C Ireland, Mrs Tomlinson and Mrs D Wills. Whist drive results:- Ladies, 1 Mrs W G Else, 2 Miss Sanders, 3 Miss G Moore, 4 Miss A Pickering, booby Miss H Wood: gentlemen, 1 Mr W Houghton, 2 Mr S Lepper (Wellingboro), 3 Mr G Abbott, 4 Mr G Green, booby Master Partridge. Mr G W Coles was M.C. for the whist. Mrs O Claridge, who was present during the evening, kindly presented the prizes, supported by Mr and Mrs R Marriott.

Donations of prizes, refreshments etc., were given by the following: Messrs John Mason, G W Coles, H J Bake, and Riley; Mesdames C A Green, W Sanders, A F Richardson, F Checksfield, Algernon Baker, F Sargent, H J Baker, F Palmer, Cooper, Faulkner, Cumberpatch, Tomlinson, H Neal, D Wills, Kilsby, Pickering and Miss F Smith.

The orchestra comprised: Violin (leader), Mr H J Baker; flute, Mr W Knighton; 'cello, Mr H Bullard; bass, Mr C Ireland; piano, Mr D Wills. The M.C.s for the dancing were Messrs F Blundell and G Penniss. £13 0s. 4d. was realised by the effort, and 5s. has been dispatched to 53 boys whose names are on the Roll.

Rushden Echo, 15^th February 1918

Spencer-Road and Hayway – Interesting letters have been received by the committee of the Hayway and Spencer-road Roll of Honour, acknowledging the receipt of gifts, the following being samples: Lance-Corpl. B. George: “I think the postal order for 5s. is ‘great.’  Pleased to say I have the luck to be in old England this Christmas.  It will be a grand day when this war is at an end, and I trust it will not be long now.  This time of the year ought to be peace and goodwill.  Still, we must keep on to the very end, which means an everlasting peace.”  Pte. A. Smith: “I have nearly finished my course of signalling, then ‘heigh ho’ for France again.”  Pte. W. Partridge: “It is good to know the people of Rushden think of us lads in khaki.”  Sig. S. Johnson (Italy): “The weather has been very frosty here, and it takes one all his time to keep warm at nights under canvas, but still it’s war, and a good soldier can stand anything.” Pte. A. J. Sharp (in camp in Notts): “One of the fellows in our hut fell ill with the measles, so we are isolated for Christmas.”  Sergt. W. G. Allen, R.A.M.C.: “It gives me great pleasure to share the postal order among the lads who have been out and done their bit, and who will soon be going out again.  May the new year bring us peace.”  Reg. Moore: “I was lucky enough to be out of the trenches for Christmas.  If the war news looks rather bad, don’t forget America.  Only wait a little while!”  Pte. S. Knight: “I shall always remember the kindness shown to me by unknown friends at home.”  G. H. Allen (Northants Regt.): “I hope the time is not far distant when we shall get home once more.”  Gunner J. W. Gadsby: “We have been very busy lately, but at present we are having a rest behind the lines.”  Pte. W. Smith sends a Christmas card “from one of the Northamptonshire Regiment,” containing the following verse:-

A wish for thee, and it may be
A wish not all in vain:
'Tis “Peace and happiness may you see
Starting an endless reign.”

Other writers are Pte. E. Pinnock, Driver C. Blake, Corpl. F. H. Easton, Pte. I. R. Brown, Drummer W. Bryant, Sergt.-Major Bullard, F. J. Parker (R.A.M.C.) W. Pack, Pte. B. Ellis, F. Wykes, Sergt. H. G. Pantling, Pte. E. Pinnock, L. C. Denton, Driver James Bailey, Lance-Sergt. A. G. Walmsley.

Rushden Echo, 9^th August 1918

Rushden’s Soldier Sons
Hayway & Spencer-Road District

Mrs. H. Baker, secretary of the Spencer-road and Hayway Roll of Honour at Rushden, has received a number of grateful letters acknowledging the receipt of postal orders from the fund.  We give some extracts:-

1^st A.M. Golesworthy, R.F.C. (France): Many thanks for postal order for 3s.  It is, indeed, a fine work you have in hand, and I am sure I wish you every success.  I think the scheme would be better if you only sent to the fellows who are in the Infantry.  We chaps back here usually get more pay than them.  If you don’t mind, I would like you to send my share each time to an Infantryman – he deserves every halfpenny of it.  I am following the Roll of Honour scheme with interest through the “Rushden Echo.”

Pte. J. Sharp, M.G.C.: I am down at the base in hospital.  I saw a lot of fellows from Rushden down at the base, and I hear that one is back in Blighty.  Lucky lad was he, but we shall all be back in Blighty in the time to come.

Sergt. A. G. Walmsley: We are hoping it will not be long before we return to our homes again, but this must not be until we have concluded a safe and honourable peace.

S. Knight, Lancers: Your kindness seems to cheer one up, and helps us to endure all our hardships with a smiling face.

Driver C. W. Hart (Palestine): It gives us more heart when we see how good the Rushden people are to us, as we all know they are doing their best for us while we are absent from home.  I am hoping to see this terrible war all over this year.

G. H. Garrod: I am in hospital after being gassed.  I am pleased to say I am feeling much better now, but longing for this war to be over, so that I can get back to dear old Rushden again.

Corpl. W. G. Allen: The Rushden friends make one feel that we are still in the midst of our dear neighbours and friends.

Pte. G. H. Allen: the kindness of you and the ladies who are taking all this trouble for us makes us turn our thoughts homewards with thankfulness.

Pte. L. R. Butcher (Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force): It cheers us up to know that though we are far away from old Rushden we are not forgotten by the folks at home.

Pte. F. Checksfield writes from Tooting Military Hospital.

Other writers include Pte. R. Dudley, Rifleman W. Gore, Reg. Moore, Corpl. F. H. Easton, R.F.A., F. J. Pashler, R.A.M.C., Pte. W. T. Green, Pte. James Wm. Faulkner (A.O. Corps), Pte. H. Dickens, Pte. L. Denton, and W. Pack.