Pte G Mackness, husband of Mrs Mackness of Robert-street, Rushden, is reported wounded in the neck and shoulder by bullets while fighting with the Northants Regiment in France. He is now in hospital in Manchester. He is one of the four soldier sons of Mr G Mackness, of Denmark-road. Sidney is with the 2nd Northants in France, Edward is in the 2/4th Northants, and Charles is an artillery driver.

Rushden Soldier Family Four Brothers in the Army

Mr and Mrs Mackness, of 26 Denmark-road, Rushden, have four sons serving in the Army. The eldest, George, enlisted in April 1915 in the 3rd Northants, and was drafted to the 1st Northants. He was wounded at the Battle of Loos and came home on ten day's leave. He is now at Strood. The second, Charlie, enlisted five months ago in the Royal Horse Artillery, and has been in France for about six weeks. The third, Sydney, enlisted at the same time at his eldest brother in the 3rd Northants, and was drafted to the 2nd Northants. He is in France at present having been there since last August. He left his battalion and is now a member of the pigeon service. The youngest, Edward, enlisted in November 1914 in the 2/4th Northants and is now in training at Exning, near Newmarket.

Rushden Parents' Sorrow - One Son Killed and Another Wounded
Private Sidney Mackness Succumbs to Wounds

We regret to report that Mr and Mrs George Mackness, of 26, Denmark-road, Rushden, have received official news that their third son, Pte Sidney Mackness, of the Northants Regiment, died of wounds on August lst. On the day previous they had received a postcard from their youngest son, Pte Edward Mackness, also of the Northants Regiment, to say that he had been wounded in the hand, and was in hospital at St Albans, Herts. He further adds that his brother Sidney was on his left when they "went over the top", but evidently when writing he was not cognisant of his brother's fate. The late Pte Sidney Mackness, who was 22 years of age, enlisted at Easter, 1915, and went to France about three months later. Up to the date on which he received the wounds which caused his death he had come through without a scratch, although he had been through the thickest of the fighting. He was home on leave in January this year. Before joining the Colours he was employed by Messrs. Nurrish and Pallett, boot manufacturers, Rushden. He was well known in pigeon-flying circles throughout the county, being an enthusiast in this sport. As a lad he passed through the Park-road Baptist Sunday School, and for some time was a member of the Boys' Brigade in connection with that church.

Pte Edward Mackness, who, as above stated, is in hospital at St Albans, enlisted three years ago, and has been in France about twelve months. He is now only 20 years of age. Before joining up he was employed by Mr Isaac Cunnington, boot manufacturers, Rushden.

Mr and Mrs Mackness have two other sons serving viz., Pte George Mackness, of the Middlesex Regiment, who was severely wounded at the battle of Loos, and who has not been out of England since, and Pte Charles Mackness, of the Royal Horse Artillery, who is in France.

Rushden Soldier's Death - Private Sidney Mackness - 'A Brave Fellow and a Hard Worker'

In our issue of August 10th we published the news that Pte Sidney Mackness, of the Northants Regiment, son of Mr and Mrs George Mackness, of 26, Denmark-road, Rushden, had succumbs to wounds. Mr and Mrs Mackness have now received a letter from the late Pte Mackness's commanding officer, who writes as follows:

"It is with the deepest sympathy that I am writing to inform you that your son, No. 17957, Pte S Mackness, has been missing since July 31st, and has unofficially been reported killed. It is indeed very sad, and we all know what a terrible blow this must be to you. The last time I saw your son was in a captured trench. As you know, he looked after the pigeons, and as they had all flown, I told him he could go back with another man. Since then nothing has been heard of him. We all feel the loss very much. He has been with us for a long time, and being a very popular fellow we all liked him immensely. He was also a very brave fellow and a hard worker. He would do anything that was required of him. You have one consolation, however. It is small, it's true, but he died fighting for his country, being a brave fellow and doing his duty until the last, I trust the blow will not be too overbearing."

Mr and Mrs Mackness's eldest son George, of the Middlesex Regiment, who was wounded at the Battle of Loos, and who has not since been out of England, has been home on leave and expects shortly to return to France.