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 The Rushden Echo & Argus, 11th April 1941, transcribed by Jim Hollis
Served in Matapan
Leading Signalman James Warren, aged 22, whose parents took up residence at 53, Higham-road, Rushden, a year ago, took part in the great sea battle of Cape Matapan. He is serving on board the destroyer “Jervis,” which, as mentioned in dispatches, played such a conspicuous part in the action.
Starting his naval career at the age of sixteen, Leading Signalman Warren entered a training college and has since travelled all over the globe. One of four brothers, one of whom is serving in the Coldstream Guards, he is a native of Tuddoe Colliery, Spennymoor, Durham. His father, Mr. James Warren, is employed by Messrs. E. Woodley and Sons, Ltd., Higham Ferrers.
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Rushden Echo & Argus, 18th April 1941, transcribed by Kay Collins
In Battle—Another Rushden man who played a part in the great sea battle of Cape Matapan is ordinary Seaman Donald Bird, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Bird, of “Roseleigh,” Hall-avenue. He joined the Navy last July and was on board the battleship “Barham,” which was the second ship to go into action. Prior to joining up, he was employed at the Rushden office of Messrs. Pendered and Sons Ltd.
No message from him has reached his parents since the battle, but as he came home on Sunday a number of congratulatory messages have been sent to him.
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The Rushden Echo and Argus, 20th June 1941, transcribed by Jim Hollis
Posted “Missing” - Rushden Soldier Who Served in France and Middle East
Mr. and Mrs. E. Neal, of 11, St. Peter’s-avenue, Rushden, have received official news that their son, Driver Dennis Alfred Neal, has been posted as missing since April 28th.
Previous to joining the R.A.S.C., in October, 1939, he was employed by Messrs. Fred Corby, Ltd. He is 21 years old, and before going to the Middle East had taken part in the campaign in France. His fiancée is Miss Joan Wheeler, of “The Oakley Arms.”
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The Rushden Echo and Argus, 11th July, 1941, transcribed by Gill Hollis
“Duggie” Missing — Popular Rushden Footballer on Middle East Casualty List
A popular Rushden Footballer, Pte. Douglas S. Mantle, who has been serving in the Middle East with the R.A.O.C., is reported missing in a message received from the War Office by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Mantle, of 86, Irchester Road, Rushden, on Thursday morning.
A native of the town he was educated at Alfred-street School, and a few years later he was playing at inside-left for Higham Ferrers Town F.C., later joining Rushden Town, who developed him as a capable full-back and utility man. He was also a keen cricketer, playing for Messrs. John White’s XI and also fond of swimming. Employed at the C.W.S. boot factory, he was a member of the Athletic Club and was formerly a member of the 1st Rushden Boy Scout Troop.
Aged 24, he joined the Army in February, 1940, and sent an airgraph letter home on May 7 stating that he had come out of Greece safely.
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The Rushden Echo and Argus,11th July, 1941, transcribed by Gill Hollis
Prisoner in Italy — Rushden Gunner Who Fought in Eastern Campaign
Letters received from Gnr. Graham Leslie White (26), of 43, High-street South, Rushden, who has been serving with the anti-tank unit, inform his parents that he is a prisoner of war in Italy. Gunner White states that he is being treated “quite well in the circumstances.”
He joined the Army during March of last year and had been taking part with his regiment in the campaign in the East.
Born at Finedon, he attended the Church School at Burton Latimer and came to live at Rushden six years ago. He is a widower, and there are two children. He formerly had had a dry cleaning business, but on the outbreak of war commenced work for Messrs. C. W. Horrell, Ltd., boot manufacturers.
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Evening Telegraph, Tuesday, 22nd July 1941, transcribed by John Collins.
Rushden Prisoner of War
News reached Mr. and Mrs. E. Neal, of 11, St. Peter’s-avenue, Rushden, this morning (Tuesday) that their son, Driver Dennis Neal, is in a prisoner of was camp in Germany. He was posted as missing in Greece on April 28th, and the later news will be received with pleasure by his many friends. Previously to joining the R.A.S.C. in October, 1939, he was employed by Messrs. Fred Corby Ltd. He is 21 years old, and before going to the Middle East, had taken part in the campaign in France. His fiancée is Miss Joan Wheeler, of the Oakley Arms, Rushden.
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The Rushden Echo and Argus, 22nd August, 1941, transcribed by Gill Hollis
Captured In Crete — Rushden Town Footballer is a Prisoner of War
Popular Rushden footballer Douglas S. Mantle, of 86, Irchester-road, Rushden, who was reported “missing” on July 10, is now known to be a prisoner of war. The news was contained in a letter received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Mantle, on Tuesday, and which also stated that he was in good health.
Popularly known as “Duggie,” Pte. Mantle was educated at Alfred-street School and a few years later was playing inside-left for Higham Ferrers Town F.C., later joining Rushden Town, who developed him as a capable full-back and utility man. He was also a keen cricketer, playing for Messrs. John White’s eleven, and fond of swimming. Prior to joining the Forces he was employed at the C.W.S. boot factory. He was a member of the Athletic Club and was formerly a member of the 1st Rushden Scout Troop.
Aged 24, he joined the R.A.S.C. in February, 1940, and sent an airgraph letter home on May 7 saying that he was safely out of Greece. His latest letter intimates that he was captured in Crete.
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 The Rushden Echo and Argus, 19th September, 1941 , transcribed by Gill Hollis
Rushden Man Made Prisoner in Greece
Among a number of local “boys” who were taken prisoner during the fighting in Greece is Driver H. H. Felce, only son of Mr. H. Felce, of 111, Irchester-road, Rushden. Formerly employed by Messrs. A. E. Wright, Ltd., boot manufacturers of Higham Ferrers, Driver Felce volunteered for the Army in December, 1939. Aged 25, he had fought both in Egypt and Greece. He is married and his home is at 1, Edward-street, Irchester.
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The Rushden Echo and Argus, 19th September, 1941, transcribed by Gill Hollis
Rushden News Out East
 Every week hundreds of copies of the “Echo and Argus” are despatched to our local men in the Services, some being sent as far away as Malaya, India, Egypt and British West Africa. Wherever they serve, the boys appreciate news from home.
One of the lucky men is Driver F. E. Litchfield, better known as “Pump,” of 9, Cambridge-street, Wymington, who has been serving in the Middle East for about six months and has been getting his paper regularly.
Recently he sent a letter home enclosing a number of photographs, and among them was our picture showing him sitting on the front of his ambulance in the Middle East reading the “Echo and Argus.” On the wind-screen can be distinguished the words “Wymington Special,” while not so clear is the name “Rushden.”
In his letter to his parents he says “I met Corporal Walter Sanders, of Irthlingborough-road, Finedon, the other day, and you should have seen his eyes sparkle when I produced a bundle of “Echoes” from underneath the seat of the ambulance.”
Driver Litchfield joined the R.A.S.C. last November, and was formerly in business at Wymington as a lining cutter. He was better known in the district, however, for his interest in football. He was a goalie for Wellingborough Town and helped Rushden on occasions.
We hope he gets this week’s paper safely and would like to wish him and all the other Rushden and district Middle East contingent the best of luck.
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