Missing
Driver Herbert Fisher Dickens (22), R.A.S.C., only son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Dickens, of 28, Oval-road, Rushden, has been posted missing until further information arrives from the Far East. Driver Dickens joined the Army in January, 1940, and was formerly employed by Messrs. B. Ladds Ltd., boot manufacturers, of Moor-road, Rushden. He is an old boy of the Rushden Intermediate School, and, attended the Boot and Shoe Technical School and St. Mary's Church. He was a great friend of Sgt. Fountain; reported in yesterday's "Evening Telegraph" as missing.

Rushden Soldier Missing

Driver Frederick Leonard Hart, of 19, High-street, Wymington, joined the R.A.S.C. in July last year from the Rushden Co-operative boot factory, where he had been employed since he left Wymington School. He has now been posted as missing after serving in Malaya at the time of the capitulation of Singapore. Aged 30, he is the son of Mrs. S. J. Hart, a widow, who has two other sons serving, Pte. William Hart, of the Beds and Herts Regiment, and Gnr. John Lewis Hart, of the R.A. There is also a daughter. Before joining up, Driver Hart was a member of the Wymington Home Guard and of the Rushden Windmill Club.

Missing
On Monday Mr. and Mrs. T. Ainge, of 6, Denmark-road, Rushden, received a letter from their son, Gnr. Thomas Edward Ainge, R.A., written from Bombay, saying that he was in good health but “on the move again.” “Don’t worry, everything is O.K. for the present,” he added. On Tuesday they received official intimation that he was in Singapore at the time of the collapse and that until further information arrives he would have to be posted “missing.” Aged 22, Gnr. Ainge joined the Army in December, 1939. He was formerly employed in the welted department of the Coxton Shoe Co., and attended the Independent Wesleyan Church. As a boy he attended the Newton-road School. Mr. and Mrs. Ainge have one other son, aged 16.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 20th March, 1942, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Missing
A letter which arrived on Friday from the records office of the Royal Artillery informed Mrs. Laura Valentine, of 71, Harborough-road, Rushden, that her husband, Lance-Bombardier Walter Valentine (23), had been posted as missing pending further information. He was stationed in Malaya.

Lance-Bmdr. Valentine, who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Valentine, of Washbrook-road, Rushden, used to attend the Rushden Mission Church and played in the Mission Band. He formerly worked for Messrs. Yorke Bros., Ltd., of Wellingborough, boot manufacturers. There is one daughter, Judith, aged two.

21st Birthday at Hellfire Pass
Rushden Sapper Was in Siege of Tobruk
One of the few men to remain in Tobruk during the whole of the siege was a young Rushden soldier, Sapper Leonard Gomm, R.E., the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Gomm, of 50 Irchester-road. He had his 21st birthday at Hellfire Pass and has sent home a copy of a letter given to his company by Lieut. General N. M. Ritchie, G.O.C.-in-C., Eighth Army, in recognition of their services. Sapper Gomm was a member of one of the seven companies who were not relieved, and was in the desert for exactly a year. He joined the Army about two years ago.

In a letter before the relief of Tobruk he says: “We certainly have had a trying time, and things have been pretty hard at times but thank God it is only a matter of a few hours before we shall no longer be a garrison.” After the relief he wrote telling how he had landed in Egypt in 1940 and had stayed at Cairo, Mersa Matruh and Benghazi. From Benghazi he and his companions went into Tobruk and just got in “by the skin of their teeth.”

“I think 99 per cent. of the lads were glad that we had had to wait until Jerry was moved before we got out,” he says, “for you see we were there just as it got surrounded (only just), and we so wanted to stay on and see it relieved.”

Before joining up, Sapper Gomm was employed as a painter by Messrs. Robert Marriott, builders, and was a keen footballer, playing as a half-back for the Rushden Adult School F.C.

Missing
News has been received by Mrs. V. M. Desborough, of 93, St. Margaret’s-ave., Rushden, that her husband, L./Cpl. David Desborough, who has been serving in the R.A.O.C. for about 12 months, has been posted as “missing”.

Aged 28, L./Cpl. Desborough lived at 8 Spencer-road, Irthlingboro’ before his marriage and was employed by Messrs. Harris Bros., tanners. He is a keen clarinet player and a member of the Windmill Club.

Rushden Sportsman Missing - Young Soldier Who Played Football and Cricket
On Tuesday, two years and two days after their son, Lance/Corporal Bernard Edward Parker, had joined the Army, Mr. and Mrs. A. Parker, of 37, Westfield-avenue, Rushden received official intimation that he had been posted as “missing” after the capitulation of Singapore. Lce-cpl. Parker, who was in the Royal Norfolk Regt., has played football for Rushden Town F.C. and was formerly a member of the Rushden Adult School F.C., and is also a keen cricketer.

Aged 24, he worked for several years for Messrs. C. K. Woods, boot manufacturers, attended St. Mary’s Church, and was a member of the Windmill Club. He is an old boy of the South End School. His father served in the last war. There are two other sons, Pte. Frank Albert Parker, of the Beds and Herts Regt., and Mr. Jack Parker, who joins the Royal Armoured Corps on May 14th.

Captured by Italians - Rushden Artilleryman Who Served in Middle East
A telegram received on March 25th informed Mrs. N. Penn, of 3, Portland-road, Rushden, that her son, Gnr. Alfred George Penn, was reported “missing” on February 2nd. Last Friday morning, however, another official communication stated that he is a prisoner of war in the hands of the Italians although the address of his camp is as yet unknown.

Gunner Penn joined the Royal Artillery about two years ago and was serving in the Middle East. Aged 24, he was formerly employed as a clicker at the C.W.S. boot works and attended the Boot and Shoe Technical School. He is an old boy of the Intermediate School.

Mrs. Penn, who is a widow, has two other sons, Gunner “Dick” Herbert Penn (21), of the Royal Artillery, and Pte. Reginald Penn (34), of the R.A.S.C., and also a daughter.

Brothers Meet Overseas - Cable Tells Rushden Parents of Reunion
Driver Robert Nicholson, Royal Artillery, of Rushden, was on board ship, bound for an unknown destination, and writing home to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Nicholson, of “Manton House,” Griffith-street, Rushden, he expressed the hope that he would meet his brother, Aircraftman Donald Nicholson, R.A.F., who had been serving in the Middle East for nearly a year.

On Monday, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson received a cable: “All our love. We wish you were with us at this happy re-union. Receiving your letters. Love, Bob and Don.”

They do not yet know the story behind this cable – how the brothers celebrated their meeting after a break of a year, or how they managed to get in touch with each other – but they can well imagine the lads’ joy at meeting each other.

Don, the younger son, has been in the R.A.F. two years, while Bob joined up last November. The former was secretary of the Rushden Intermediate Old Boys’ F.C., and the latter was a keen cricketer, played last year for the Impregnable, and was once top scorer for Higham Ferrers.

Three Pals Meet - Rushden and Higham Reunion in East
A remarkable story of three local soldiers meeting in the Middle East is told in a message received from Mrs. C. Glenn, of 25, Carnegie-street, Rushden. Mrs. Glenn states: “My husband, Pte. H. Glenn, of the R.A.O.C., stationed in the Middle East, had a leave a few weeks ago and decided to locate my brother, Gunner R. Blackwell, R.A., of 10, Windmill Banks, Higham Ferrers, who is also serving out there, only in a different country. Hitch-hiking his way, he stopped a lorry and asked for a lift, and to his surprise it was driven by a Higham Ferrers young man, Driver J. Wilson, of Chichele-street.

“They all spent some happy hours comparing news from home, etc., and the enclosed snap was taken. My husband is centre of the picture, my brother left and J. Wilson right.”

“Missing” Then “Safe” - Young Rushden Sportsman in Libya
A slight delay in the Post Office telegram service saved some Rushden parents much needless anxiety.

At about 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 4th, Mr. and Mrs. F. Spencer, of 78, Robinson-road, received a telegram which said “Glad to inform you that your son, Sergt. Fred Spencer, previously reported missing, is safe and unhurt – letter follows.”

Only a few minutes later another telegram arrived – the one which should have arrived first. This said: “Regret to inform you your son is missing as a result of air operations on May 29th.”

Sergt. Spencer is serving as a wireless-operator/air-gunner in Libya, where he was sent in January, having joined the R.A.F. in December, 1940. A keen footballer and cricketer, before he joined up he played for Rushden Town F.C. Reserves and Rushden Town C.C. He was employed by Mr. S. L. Hunt, printer, and is an old Intermediate School boy.

Served in Tanks - Rushden Trooper Missing in Middle East
Wireless operator in a tank crew Trooper Harley Welsford, second son of Mrs. W. Bass of 3, Jones’s Cottages, Victoria-road, Rushden, is officially reported missing. He has been serving with the Royal Tank Regiment in the Middle East and letters from him have arrived in Rushden quite recently.

Aged 25 years, Trooper Welsford is a native of Rushden and attended the Newton-road School, afterwards working for the Higham Ferrers Co-operative Boot Productive Society. His brother, Mr. R. Welsford, is chairman of the Rushden and District Trades Council.

Tank Men Missing - Three Rushden Soldiers on Middle East List
Apparently involved in the recent desert fighting, Trooper Albert Bayes, of 138, St. Margaret’s-avenue, Rushden, a member of the Royal Tank Regt., is reported “missing,” the news reaching his wife by letter last Saturday.

Aged 36, Trooper Bayes has been in the Army nearly a year and has been serving abroad since November, when he changed his regiment. Born in Rushden, he lived for many years in Pemberton-street and was employed for 11 years by Messrs. B. Denton and Son, Ltd., where he latterly worked as a laster.

Trooper Bayes	Lce-cpl. Shatford	Trooper Welsford

One of two brothers, both serving in the Middle East, Lance-Corporal Arthur Shatford, of 34, Allen-road, Rushden, a tank gunner in the Royal Tank Regiment, is reported missing, the news being received by his mother, Mrs. M. Shatford, on Saturday.

Aged 22, Lance-Corporal Shatford attended the Newton-road School and for two years prior to his joining the Forces was employed in the lasting department of Messrs. Bignells, Ltd. He was a member of the Athletic Club.

His brother, Sergt. C. Shatford, of the R.A.S.C., has been serving in the Middle East ever since the start of the campaign.

As announced in the “Echo and Argus” last Friday, Trooper Harley Welsford (25), whose portrait is now given, has been reported missing in the Middle East.

Second son of Mrs. W. Bass, of 3, Jones’s-cottages, Victoria-road, Rushden, he joined the Army in May of last year and has been serving in the Royal Tank Regiment.

Young Jack in Luck
Two Sons of Rushden Meet in U.S.A. - Sailor’s Adventure
Jack Harrison, junr., sailor son of Rushden’s most celebrated boxer, has been in luck while visiting the U.S.A. Staying at a rest camp, he met another native of Rushden, Mr. W. L. Hales, of Orange Mass., who took him in hand and evidently gave him a wonderful time.

Mr. Hales tells the story in a letter to the “Echo and Argus” dated June 28.

“This happens to be a happy week-end for this family and I,” he writes, “for we are entertaining one of Rushden’s fine sons in the person of Jack Harrison, junr., of Highfield-road, son of Jack Harrison, the pride of the old town.

“This boy is, as you perhaps know, a Leading Cook in the Royal Navy. His ship is refitting in a port near us, and while the job is being done the boys were sent to a rest camp about 30 miles away. I heard they were at the camp and I drove down to see them. The first chap I saw was a great big fellow, and he was dressed in bathing drawers only.

“I spoke to him and asked him what part of England he came from. He answered “The Midlands.” I said “What town?” and when he said Rushden I told him I was born there, and from there on you can’t imagine what a time we have had. I’ve learned more about the new Rushden from Jack than I’ve known since I left there years ago.

Good Bodyguard
“He has fourteen days’ leave and he is with us in our home. He can stay as long as he wishes, and you can bet he can eat and sleep to his heart’s content, and we will show him the country and introduce him to our friends – and that we are proud to do.

“As regards his health, he is in wonderful condition and I’m sure he is happy, and when he gets back to the old town I’m sure he will have lots to say about his visit to the U.S.A., for I can assure you we are going to give him a real good time as long as he wishes to stay with us.

“I can assure you that as I introduce Jack to my friends it is with pride, for he is a great big upstanding chap of almost 230 lbs. – so you see I’ve got a fine body guard.

“We have been around the countryside quite a lot and he is greatly impressed with the vast woodlands and wonderful roads and bridges. We took him over the famous Mohawk Trail, where we took snaps of him shaking hands with a real Indian. On our way back we passed through Northampton, Mass., and he said “Very nice; now I’m only 12 miles from home.”

“We still have lots more to show him and I’m sure he will never forget his visit to the U.S.A. Jack sends his love to his folks and friends and hopes to be back with you all in the near future. In the meantime don’t worry about Jack – he can take care of himself.”

Mr. Hales adds his own “kindest regards to everyone.”

Evening Telegraph, Thursday, 16^th July 1942, transcribed by John Collins.

Rushden Gunner Missing
Only son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Taylor, of 21, Westfield-avenue, Rushden, Gunner Donald Walter Taylor, aged 22, has been “missing, believed prisoner of war”. He went to the Middle East in January.

May Be Prisoner - Rushden Son of Great War Veteran
Gunner Donald Walter Taylor (22), the only son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Taylor, of 21, Westfield-avenue, Rushden, has been reported “missing, believed prisoner-of-war.” The news arrived by letter.

Gunner Taylor has been serving in the Royal Artillery since October 20th, 1940, and was sent to the Middle East in January. He was formerly employed in the lasting department at Messrs. A. Allebone and Sons’ factory. His father was wounded in the last war while serving with the Northamptonshire Regiment.

Evening Telegraph, Thursday, 23rd July 1942, transcribed by John Collins.

Rushden Soldier Missing
A former Assistant Scoutmaster to the 1st Rushden Scout Troop, Spr. George Wm. (Jim) Chapman, who has been serving with the Middle East Forces for twelve months, has been reported missing. The news was received by his wife, who lives at Denver Sluice, Norfolk.

Aged 22, Sapper Chapman is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Chapman, of 157, Irchester-road, Rushden, and is an old boy of the Alfred-street and Intermediate Schools. Until he joined the Army in October, 1940, he was employed at Messrs. Bignell’s, Sartoris-road factory.

Birthday Greetings from Egypt
Rushden Soldier’s Front-Line Radio Message
“Hello, sweetheart, I am quite well. Hope the kiddies are well. Many happy returns on your birthday, and I hope next year I shall be able to celebrate it with you. Give my love to Mother, Pop, Fred and Grandma. Lots of love and kisses, George.”

Such was the message recorded from the front line at El Alamein within range of the enemy’s fire by Trooper George Barnes, of 65, St. Margaret-avenue, Rushden, and broadcast last Friday night on the Forces wavelength in the programme “Greetings From Cairo.”

Listening at Rushden was Trooper Barnes’ wife, but it was with mixed feelings, for she did not know that her husband, who is in the Royal Tank Regiment, was anywhere near the front line. The commentator stated that practically every message was broadcast while under the enemy’s fire and even in sight of the enemy, and during several of the messages one could hear background noises, which were apparently from machine-gun fire and tanks.

Second of Three Brothers Missing
Youngest of three brothers serving in the Army, one of whom is a prisoner of war in Germany, Driver Peter James Neal, R.A.S.C., son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Neal, 11 St. Peter’s-avenue, Rushden, is listed as missing in the Middle East on June 20th. He is 20 years of age, and the last letter received from him was dated June 17th.

When his brother Dennis was captured in Greece, Peter, then 18, declared, “Now he’s a prisoner, I’m going”, and went off to volunteer for the Army.

As a boy, he attended Higham Ferrers Council School and from there gained a place at Wellingborough Grammar School, afterwards working for Messrs. Jaques and Clark, boot manufacturers. He left England with an overseas draft last January. The eldest of the three brothers is still in England.

Dennis Neal writes frequently from Germany, and told his parents recently that although he had to work hard and long on farms, he was very fit and cheerful.

“Swell Time” in The States - Rushden R.A.F. Corporal Tells of U.S. Hospitality
In a letter to his wife, who resides at 174, Cromwell-road, Rushden, Corporal E. Ashby, of the R.A.F., who before joining up was a butchery manager for Rushden Co-operative Society, tells her of the splendid reception he and his party had when they spent some time at an American port, while on their way further afield. His letter tells the story as follows:

“While the ship was in port I had a grand time in the town, and on two occasions went to American people’s houses for tea and late dinner. If you had been there you would see how the folks take soldiers, sailors and airmen home for meals, take them for long rides in their cars, and on train journeys to the seaside. I am sure that you would be delighted.

“On my first day off the boat a friend and I went to the Lord Mayor’s Canteen for our tea where we had the eggs, sausages, bacon, bread, butter and coffee, and it only cost us eight-pence. After this, we were invited to another canteen run by the Jewish Mission, where a dance was in progress, and there were lots of refreshment of all kinds.

“If any one of the ladies who were acting as waitresses saw us without sandwiches, lemonade or ice cream they did not give us a minute’s peace until we had something else to eat and drink.

What a Dinner!
“We went round the shopping centres and visited the cinemas, and went into another canteen. It seemed as though there was a canteen in every street, where we could get tea and cakes and as many big ripe pears as we could eat.

“We went to a house for late dinner, and we had a long chat about England, and I showed them some photos of you and the children. After dinner, which consisted of soup, fish, roast veal, roast potatoes, rice and cabbage, we had 1½lb of large black grapes.

“You can be sure we thanked these people as much as we could, for they have done a lot for us boys, and spend every spare minute in making us comfortable, without considering the money it costs them.

“They also buy us all the things to eat at the canteens, as well as entertaining us at their homes.”

Three Brothers - One a Prisoner: Another Now Missing
Youngest of three brothers serving in the Army, one of whom is a prisoner-of-war in Germany, Driver Peter James Neal, R.A.S.C., son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Neal, St. Peter’s-avenue, Rushden, is listed as missing in the Middle East since June 20th. He was 20 years of age and the last letter received from him was dated June.

When his brother Dennis was captured in Greece, Peter, then 18, declared “Now he’s a prisoner, I’m going,” and went off to volunteer for the Army. As a boy he attended Higham Ferrers Council School and from there gained a place at Wellingborough Grammar School, afterwards working for Messrs. Jaques and Clark, boot manufacturers. He left England with an overseas draft last January. The eldest of the three brothers is still in England.

Dennis Neal writes frequently from Germany and told his parents recently that although he had to work hard and long on farms, he was very fit and cheerful.

Home News in The Desert
Rushden Soldiers Enjoy the “Echo and Argus”
A welcome airgraph letter reaches the Editor from Gunner R. T. Robinson, Royal Artillery, of the Middle East Forces. Writing on July 27th, Gnr. Robinson states :-

“I thought I would like to write a few lines to let you know how quickly we get your paper now. My people, who reside at 4, Queens-terrace, Rushden, send me the “Echo and Argus” every week. It has been taking three months to get here, but I have received one which has only taken just one month. I am sure that has broken all surface mail records, and I think it gives one the idea of how we are speeding things up.

“We lads out here look forward to reading the “Echo” in the Western Desert, and it finishes up by getting sent down to Bob Swingler (Gnr), who used to live near the “Unicorn” and is in hospital near Cairo. It gets around a bit, doesn’t it?

“I saw a photo of the parade, and it did please me to see a part of Queen-street. I wonder if you could give us a little snap of Rushden in your paper – I am sure our lads would appreciate it. It is good to see these photos after seeing nothing but desert for ten or eleven months.”

The request for another “home town” picture will receive attention.

Wounded and Missing
Rushden Manufacturer’s Son Who Fought in Crete
After fighting in the first Libyan campaign and escaping from Greece and Crete, Gunner William Cumberland Kenneth Knight, the eldest son of Mr. Harry E. Knight, the Rushden boot manufacturer, has now been reported “missing,” the message also intimating that he had been wounded. Mr. Harry Knight lives at 39, Grove-road, Rushden.

Aged 22, Gunner Knight was educated at Kimbolton School and prior to joining the Royal Artillery in September, 1939, was employed at the head office of the Bank of New South Wales in London.

While in Crete, Gunner Knight dropped into a trench from a tree to avoid enemy machine-gun fire and landed on the back of “Duggie” Mantle, the popular Rushden footballer (now a prisoner-of-war), with whom he shared his last packet of cigarettes.

Cheery Message from Egypt - Rushden Airman’s Tribute to Townspeople - “A Grand Job”
In a long and interesting letter to the Editor, Corpl. Reg. C. Tarry, of Rushden, serving with the R.A.F. in Egypt, says he has just received the “Echo and Argus” which his mother, Mrs. W. C. Tarry, of 49, Westfield-avenue, sends regularly to him, and, as usual, has read almost every word.

“Like most people in ‘Civvy Street’,” he remarks, “I took the good old ‘Echo’ for granted, but now it has become a definite and very welcome link with the old home town.”

As founder of the 4th Rushden (Mission) Troop, Corpl. Tarry is naturally interested in Boy Scout news. He got a thrill when he saw one of his own Scouts, A/C Leslie Thomas, of 14, Pemberton-street, coming into the camp.

Of the topical verse by R. W. N., Corpl. Tarry observes: “I see a large number of local papers which the boys receive out here, but none of them can claim a tame poet of R. W. N.’s calibre and wit. Why not publish his works in book form when this show is over? Knowing him as I do, I’m sure he would gladly consent to its publication and sale for some charitable cause – not that it would need any such object to promote its sale, by any means.”

106 in The Shade
“So far as the circumstances of separation from home and family allow,” the letter continues, “I am quite enjoying the life here. Of course it is getting warm now that ‘summer is icumen in.’ To-day it is 106 degrees in the shade, but we shall get used to that, I suppose. Anyway, we ‘base wallahs’ are lucky in that most of us have good billets equipped with showers, etc. All houses here are so equipped, so we have two or three showers per day – and need them.

“I have made friends here among the very cosmopolitan populace, and most of them have to listen to stories of Rushden and extracts from the ‘Echo’ at some time or other.

“I suppose I could write reams of stuff about the life and customs of the natives here, and about the capital city of the land; of the trips I have made to the Pyramids; of the Nile and its host of dhows and palaccas bringing corn and produce from up the river, and the little interesting incidents that happen every day; but they will have to wait until I come home…..

Appreciated
“Let me close by thanking you for carrying on under difficulties and for presenting the local happenings as you do. I would also like to thank your Company for the support it gives the numerous funds raised for we boys and girls. We appreciate each and every one of these efforts far more than mere words can express, and if the hard-working people who run them and contribute to them in any way could see our faces when we receive the results of their efforts, they would feel and know that they are doing a grand job of work. Lots of the little things that seem sometimes to take the pleasure out of the work of trying to help would pale into insignificance beside the ultimate pleasure the boys and girls derive from their just sticking to it.”

They Killed The Fatted Calf - Rushden Meets Rushden in South Africa
“Just a few lines to thank you and the committee of the Serving Men’s Parcels Fund for the Postal Orders I have received from time to time since I have been in this country,” writes George A. Watson, of Rushden, in a letter from South Africa to Mr. E. Bennett. “When they come it makes me think of all the good people in Rushden, who I rate as good as any in the world.

“We are very busy out here, and I enjoy it very much. The weather is grand—sunshine nearly all the year round. I have just had fourteen days’ leave with a Rushden man, Mr. Fred Geary, who has a brother and sister who live in Park-avenue. He killed the fatted calf for me and gave me a good time, and we had a good talk about Rushden.

“I should like to express my deepest sympathy with all parents who have lost their gallant sons, some of whom were my greatest pals, in the western war. I do hope they have had better news by the time you receive this letter.

“I see by the good old “Echo and Argus” that you have had some good concerts at Rushden this winter.”

George Watson’s home is at 17 Harborough-road, Rushden.

Exciting Raid Recalled - Rushden Man Wounded
Lying in a military hospital with a bullet wound in the shoulder, the result of the part he played in the recent Dieppe raid, a Rushden Marine, 21-year-old Ronald Newitt, of 117, Irchester-road, has written a letter to his parents to tell them that he survived the action – his first – which was “quite exciting until he got his packet.”

“We sure gave those Jerries a pasting,” he says, “and don’t you start worrying because I’m in hospital. I’ve only got a scratch.” He also adds that eight “Jerry” planes were shot down from his ship alone.

Marine Newitt who was 21 a week before the raid, formerly worked in the rough stuff department of Messrs. John Cave and Sons, Ltd., boot manufacturers, and joined the Forces about a year ago.

Mr. and Mrs. Newitt have two other sons serving, Gunner Eric Frederick Newitt (25) in the Royal Artillery, and Gordon Newitt (30) in the R.A.F.

Wounded in January
Belated Report on Missing Rushden Soldier
Pte. Kenneth A. J. Maple, whose wife lives at 49, Spencer-road, Rushden, and who is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Maple, 4, Wellingborough-road, Higham Ferrers, is one of the local “boys” who have been listed as missing since the fall of Singapore. His wife has now been notified that he was wounded on January 27th, but the official message adds that he is still regarded at the Infantry Record Office as “missing.”

Formerly an assistant to Mr. G. W. Battersby, grocer, of Rushden and Higham Ferrers, Pte. Maple joined the Army in March, 1940, a month after his wedding, and went out to the East last October serving in the Royal Norfolk Regiment as a motor transport driver.

Leslie	Jack

Brothers Meet in Egypt - One Was Convalescing After Accident
After being separated for three years, two brothers, Lance-Corporal Leslie Rivitt, a Military Policeman, and Trooper J. Rivitt, of the Royal Tank Regiment, sons of Mr. and Mrs. H. Rivitt, of 29, Denmark-road, Rushden, have met in Egypt.

Leslie, who is 34, joined up in the early part of 1941, and had been abroad since August of last year. He recently met with an accident and was in hospital for twelve weeks. It was while he was convalescing that he met his brother, who sailed in May of this year. His wife resides in the Isle of Wight, where Leslie was manager of a large drapery and furniture stores in Newport.

Jack who is 28, joined up about a year ago, and his wife lives at Little Irchester, where Jack was employed by Messrs. John Lewis, leather dressers, before being called up to the colours. He is a keen billiards and snooker player having won a cup at a snooker tournament at John Lewis’s.

Both brothers were educated at Newton-road Council School and served apprenticeships at Phillips and Son, drapers, Rushden. They were members of the St. Mary’s Church choir.

Rushden Men Meet at Aden - Wounded Sailor “Ate” The “Echo and Argus”

A meeting of two Rushden men – one of them wounded – at Aden, is described in an airgraph letter from Corpl. R. Page, R.A.F., to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. Page, of 69, Robinson-road, Rushden.

“I have met another Rushden chap, a sailor named Kitchener Myers,” writes Cpl. Page. “He is injured and is in hospital here, and I am pleased to say he is getting on very well – flesh wounds only. His mum lives in High-street South, opposite Jacques the painter. ‘Kitch’ was rather touched to see me; we talked ourselves hoarse, and he almost ate the ‘Echo’ and clips that I took him.”

Gunner Albert Kitchener Myers, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Myers, is the youngest of four brothers and has one younger sister. He joined a ship at the end of last year, and in September received wounds in the right hand and right thigh. Before joining the Navy he worked for Messrs. W. Sargent and Co., Rushden.

Gunner Myers & Private Cave

Old Workmates - Rushden “Pals” Meet In Middle East

A story of Gunner Albert Kitchener Myers, of the Royal Navy, who was recently wounded, meeting another Rushden “boy,” Cpl. R. Page, R.A.F., at Aden appeared in the “Echo and Argus” last week.

The picture below shows that Gunner Myers has also met his old friend and workmate, Pte. Donald Cave, of the Royal Corps of Signals, who has been in the Middle East since the early months of 1940. The two companions have, in fact, met several times when the sailor was in port. They used to work together at Messrs. Walter Sargent and Co.’s factory.

Pte. Cave is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Cave, of 60, Glassbrook-road, Rushden, and Gunner Myers is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Myers, of High-street South, Rushden.

Sailors on Horseback - Rushden Boy’s Happy Holiday in South Africa

The hospitality shown to our men by the South African people is revealed in a letter to Mrs. W. E. Hooton, of 27, Westfield-avenue, Rushden, whose only son, Able Seaman Raymond Hooton, has been spending a short leave with a kindly South African family.

The letter comes from Mrs. Mabel Reynolds, who writes: “This is South Africa calling you – and because your son, Ray, has just been spending a few days’ leave with us. He was at Durban when a number of them got five days’ leave, and came to Glencoe, where a number of us South African women are entertaining them – one or two at a time in our homes. He said he’d love me to write to you to tell you that he had had a happy five days in our home, and that he is well and happy. Indeed he does look well, and I firmly believe he did enjoy his stay with us.

“We live on a farm, three miles out of the small town of Glencoe, which is in Northern Natal on the railway line from Durban to our gold-mining town of Johannesburg. Every day Ray and his friend Dave Polin, from London, went riding on the horses, and after the first couple of times Ray looked quite at home on the horse.

Fun at The Farm

“My children had great fun with Ray and Dave. Farm life was new and strange to them, but I think they enjoyed it all, especially as it is our spring now and the country is lovely and round the homestead the flowers are all in bloom.

“They were very amused at the native servants and used to laugh when we spoke Zulu to the house servants, and said ‘however can you learn that?’

“Out here in South Africa where God has so far blessed us with peace and safety we never forget those of you at home who live in danger, and we are always only too glad to do anything that will help. We find that entertaining the boys in our homes cheers them up immensely. They all long for home and their own people, just as I’m sure you all long for them to come home again. Most of them seem to like South Africa so much that we all hope that many of them will come and settle out here after this terrible war is over. There is plenty of room out here, and probably there will be greater opportunities after the war.

“I had a letter of thanks from Ray, who said, ‘Duty didn’t come natural after leave and a good time.’ Now I will say goodbye to you. We stretch our hands across the sea to you, and may God keep you all safely to meet again before very long.”

A/S Raymond Hooton, who is serving on a battleship, volunteered for service early in the war, and has not been home for two years. He will be 21 next June.

Rushden Lieutenant Wounded - Young Officer Who Rose From The Ranks

News has been received by his wife and father that Second Lieut. Philip Howard Tye, the youngest son of Mr. and the late Mrs. R. Tye, of 83, Westfield-avenue, Rushden, has been wounded in action during the North African campaign.

Lieut. Tye, who is serving with the Northamptonshire Regiment, joined the Territorials a year before the outbreak of the war, and through his own hard work and keenness has risen from the ranks.

Aged 23, he was apprenticed to Mr. Robert Marriott, the builder, until called up for war service. Two years ago he married Miss Vera Hodgkins (daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. Hodgkins, of 21, Trafford-road, Rushden), who three weeks ago gave birth to a son.

Lieut. Tye was a member of the St. Peter’s Scouts and played for the Adult School football team. He is also a member of the Windmill Club.

Rushden Corporal Wounded

News that their youngest son, Corporal F. Norman, has been wounded in action was received on Saturday by Mr. and Mrs. E. Bullbrook, of 6, Alfred-street, Rushden. Corporal Norman, who enlisted in the 5th Batt. Northants Regiment in February, 1940, was posted abroad eleven weeks ago. Aged 25, he is well known in local football circles, playing for Alma-street Bible Class and then for Irchester Sports. Better known to his friends as “Yank,” he was previously employed by Messrs. Walter Sargent and Co., Ltd., Rushden.

Rushden Echo & Argus, 25^th December 1942

Back From Algiers - Rushden Officer 'Phones Home From Hospital

Second Lieut. Philip Howard Tye, of Rushden, recently reported wounded while fighting in North Africa, has returned to England and is in hospital near London. His  father spoke to him by 'phone during the week-end and learned that he had been wounded in the right knee and left calf. Lieut. Tye took part in the landing at Algiers and was wounded on November 25th.

Reported Missing in Africa - Anxiety for Rushden Homing Society Member

Mr. and Mrs. C. Mackness, of 87, Trafford-road, Rushden received news that their eldest son, Pte. Charles Sidney George Mackness, was reported missing in North Africa on November 29th.

Pte.Mackness, who has been in the Northamptonshire Regiment for three years, is 24 years of age and was employed by Messrs. Eaton and Co., boot manufacturers. He was educated at Newton-road School and was a member of the Rushden Homing Society and the Town Band Club. His two brothers are also serving in H.M. Forces.