Rushden's Casualty List

Official news was received yesterday by Mr and Mrs A L Scholes, Newton-road, Rushden, to the effect that their son, Pte William A Scholes, 36703, East Surreys, was posted as missing on March 23rd. Pte Scholes, who was 19 years of age, joined the Colours in March, 1917, on attaining the age of 18, and he was sent to France in January last. The last letter received from him was dated March 18th.

Rushden Soldier's Fate - Private William Scholes Killed in the German Offensive

News has now been received by Mr A L Scholes, of Newton-road, Rushden, that his son, Pte William A Scholes, 8th East Surrey Regiment, who has been missing since the great German offensive on March 23rd, 1918, was killed on that date. It was hoped, on the receipt of the report that he was missing, that Pte Scholes had been captured by the enemy, because it was known that some of his company were taken prisoners, but nothing could be heard of any member of his platoon until Pte H Gates, who was in the same Company, but not in the same platoon, returned to Rushden from Germany recently. Pte Gates said he had been told by two other fellows that Pte Scholes was shot in a little wood. On Friday last Pte Albert Martin, of Finedon, who was in the same platoon as Pte Scholes, and who has just returned from captivity, informed Mr Scholes that he was close to his son when the latter was shot. They were, he said, sent into a little wood as a rearguard, and under heavy Machine-gun fire, the order was given to keep themselves down, but directly afterwards Pte Scholes fell, being killed instantaneously. Pte Martin says he knew him well, and was next to him at the time he met his death. The deceased soldier, who was 19 years of age, passed through the Park-road Wesleyan School, and as a lad attended the Newton-road day school. He joined the Forces in March 1917, and had been in France about three months when he met his death.

RUSHDEN SOLDIER'S DEATH - Mr and Mrs A L Scholes, of Newton-road, have received an official intimation form the East Surreys' Record Office, Hanwell, dated May 1st, 1919, to the effect that their son, 36703, Pte William Arthur Scholes, 8th East Surreys, who been missing since March 23rd, last year, is now presumed to have been killed on that date. Enclosed with the note was a letter expressing the sympathy of the King and Queen. Mr and Mrs Scholes were unofficially informed last January of the death in action of their son.