Rushden Soldier Dead - Lance-Corpl W Rawlins At the Age of Nineteen

Another soldier has sacrificed his life in the great cause, in the person of Lance-Corpl William Rawlins, 17911, Northants Regt., second son of Mr and Mrs A Rawlins, of 13 Moor-road, Rushden. The first news that he had been wounded was contained in a letter sent by Pte Richardson (Rushden) to his mother.

Official news that Lance-Corpl Rawlins had succumbed to his injuries was received by the deceased's soldier's parents last Saturday, the date of his demise being given as Aug. 19th.

The Lance-Corpl Rawlins, who was 19 years of age, enlisted in April, 1915, and had been at the front eight months. Up to the time of his receiving his fatal injuries he had come through unscathed. As a lad he was employed by Messrs. Meadows and Rattley, fishmongers, Rushden but later he entered the boot and shoe trade, being employed by Messrs. James Hyde Ltd, at the time of his enlistment.

Much sympathy is felt with the deceased soldier's parents and with Miss L Robins, of Irthlingborough, the deceased soldier's fiance.

Mr and Mrs A Rawlins and Miss L Robins, desire to express their sincere thanks for the many expressions of sympathy they have received in their sad bereavement.

Rushden's Casualty List Victims of the War

Mr and Mrs A Rawlins, of 13, Moor-road, Rushden, have received a letter from Second-Lieut A Rodney, K.R.R., stating that their fourth son, 44790 Rifleman John Thomas Rawlins, has been missing from his unit since October 3rd. The officer adds: "We have reason to believe that most of the men reported missing on that date are prisoners of war. If at any time news comes through I shall at once inform you. Your son was a splendid soldier and greatly liked by the men in his platoon. I do hope news from Germany will soon come through and relieve you of the anxiety you must be caused. Please accept my deepest sympathy." The missing soldier joined the Colours with Captain Stocken's recruits when under 16 years of age, and was subsequently discharged on those grounds. He again joined the Army on August 6th, 1917, and was sent to France in the Easter following. He was at one time a member of the Rushden Wellingborough-road Mission Band, and was employed by Messrs. Sanders and Sanders, boot manufacturers, Rushden. Mr and Mrs Rawlins have already loss one son in the war, viz., the late Lance-Corpl William Rawlins, who died of wounds in France in August 1916. Another son, who has just turned 18, expects that he will shortly be called up. Mr Rawlins is collector for the Rushden branch of the Boot and Shoe Operatives' Union and his fellow-shopmates feel much anxiety with in his present anxiety.