Letter from George Wigglesworth

The letter was as follows:- "Dear Parents, -Just a line to let you know that I have arrived in the firing line. I have been here three days now and am getting quite used to it. We were under shell fire for about two hours when we first landed, so we soon had out baptism of fire. The battalion has been in the trenches for about eight days but are out now. They have done some very good work, but had a decent few casualties. I am very sorry to say that my old pal 'Jicker' Denton is killed. [Pte Dennis Denton, already reported killed in the "Rushden Echo."] He was on a certain duty that needed some exposure and I believe he was 'snipered.' He wasn't in much pain, for he was shot through the chest and must have died almost at once. 'Benny' Letts (Pte B Letts, C Company, of Pemberton-street, Rushden), and 'Cooky' (Pte Cyril Cook, C Company, of Park-road, Rushden) are all right. The Herefords that were billeted at Rushden are with us, but are in the trenches at present. I have seen some of them and they all say the same - 'Wish I was back in Rushden.' I am in the pink and have not been touched. I hope you are not worrying about me. I am not worrying in the least, so I'm sure you needn't. Roll on the time the war is done. I have not heard from England yet but I suppose you have written. Lots of chaps haven't heard from home yet. We do all our own cooking but are rather short of water. George."

Rushden Soldier Killed - In the Dardenelles - Pte George Wigglesworth's Sad End - The Herefords and Northants Together - Herefords 'Wish They were Back in Rushden'

We sincerely regret to report that news has been received of the death of Pte George Wigglesworth, C Company, 1/4th Northants, in the recent fighting in the Dardanelles. Pte Wigglesworth is the third Rushden soldier known to have been killed in the Dardenelles. The sad news was received this week by the deceased soldier's mother, Mrs B Wigglesworth, 38, Pemberton-street, Rushden, in a letter from Sergt J H Barker, also of C Company, which runs as follows:-

"Dear Mrs Wigglesworth, - I don't know if you have heard in regard to your son George from the War Office yet. If not, I dare say the news I have to tell you will come as a shock to you. I am very sorry indeed to have to tell you that your son was killed in action on Sunday Sept 5th, about 2.30 p.m. We were told off to dig and improve some trenches close to the firing line. The enemy were shelling us all the time, and it was one of those shells which killed your son and another lad. He was buried in a respectable grave on the hillside. I have collected the photos he had and also his watch, as I thought you would like something belonging to him. I hope you get them safe. You have my deepest sympathy in losing such a good son."

A letter was also received from Coy-Sergt-Major Owen Thompson, C Company, 1/4th Northants, written on the same piece of notepaper as that of Sergt. Barker. Sergt-Major Thompson writes:-

"Dear Mrs Wigglesworth, -I should like to offer my deepest sympathy to you in the loss of your son. As Sergt Barker has told you, he died in the trenches a real soldier's death. He was a good lad, and his loss is felt by a lot of friends out here."

On Sept. 1st, four days before his death, Pte Wigglesworth wrote to his parents to say that he was "in the pink". He said, "If you put some biscuits and jam into your mouth here you have to open your mouth again to let the flies out."

His last letter before that postcard was dated August 24th, but was received at the same time as the card, the two arriving after the letter brining news of the young soldier's death.

The letter was as follows:- "Dear Parents, -Just a line to let you know that I have arrived in the firing line. I have been here three days now and am getting quite used to it. We were under shell fire for about two hours when we first landed, so we soon had out baptism of fire. The battalion has been in the trenches for about eight days but are out now. They have done some very good work, but had a decent few casualties. I am very sorry to say that my old pal 'Jicker' Denton is killed. [Pte Dennis Denton, already reported killed in the "Rushden Echo."] He was on a certain duty that needed some exposure and I believe he was 'snipered'. He wasn't in much pain, for he was shot through the chest and must have died almost at once. 'Benny' Letts (Pte B Letts, C Company, of Pemberton street, Rushden), and 'Cooky' (Pte Cyril Cook, C Company, of Park-road, Rushden) are all right. The Herefords that were billeted at Rushden are with us, but are in the trenches at present. I have seen some of them and they all say the same - 'Wish I was back in Rushden'. I am in the pink and have not been touched. I hope you are not worrying about me. I am not worrying in the least, so I'm sure you needn't. Roll on the time the war is done. I have not heard from England yet but I suppose you have written. Lots of chaps haven't heard from home yet. We do all our own cooking but are rather short of water. George."

Pte Wigglesworth was only 18 years old last March. He worked at Mr C G Ward's grocer, High-street, at one time, and was afterwards a clicker at Messrs J Hyde's factory, Windmill-road, and Messrs Green's factory, Queen-street. He will be missed by many sympathetic friends in Rushden.

Mrs Wigglesworth has received the photos, etc, which were found on her deceased son.

Rushden Private Killed by Shell

Mrs. B. Wrigglesworth, 38, Pemberton-road, Rushden, has received a letter from Sergt. J. H. Barker, who expresses sorrow at having to tell her that her son, Private Geo. Wrigglesworth, of the 1/4th Northants, was killed in action about 2.30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 5th. “We were told off,” he says, “to dig and improve some trenches close to the firing line. The enemy were shelling us all the time, and it was one of those shells that killed your son and another lad.”

Private Wrigglesworth, who was only 18, in a letter home dated August 24th, said they soon had their baptism of fire, and observes of the battalion that they had all done some very good work, and suffered a decent few casualties. He met some of the casualties. He met some of the Herefords who had been billeted at Rushden, and wished they were back there.