The Wellingborough News Friday 18 September 1914, transcribed by Nicky Bates

Canada Ready - Interesting Letter from Rushden Man
We have received from Mr A Chettle the following intensely interesting letter sent to him by his son, who is serving his country in the Canadian Army.

Sergt W H Chettle has been in Canada a year now, and is getting on well as a carpenter on his own account. When in Rushden he served in the Yeomanry and he has also served in the Canadian "Terriers". The letter read:-

"You will see by the address that I have been called up with the rest of the boys. When we mobilised we had no idea where they would send us, but here we are on the Pacific coast. There are quite a number of mines here, and there are more than a thousand Germans and Austrians, so they have to be watched very closely. There are quite a number of troops scattered along the coast and several detachments inland guarding the bridges, etc. A bridge near here had mines laid under it before war was declared but it was discovered in time. It was a good thing they discovered it as there were several trainloads of rifles and ammunition going through.

"Every man in Canada is ready to go to the front if needed. It doesn't matter what nationality they are (except Germans and Austrians of course). The other day some Indians wanted to join for the front, and there are about a thousand Italians in Vancouver who want to go. All is excitement here, everybody, even young boys, want to go. If all our Colonies feel the same towards England as Canada does, I think it will go hard for the Germans. When we heard we were likely to be called up our Mayor came up to my shop and he asked me what I should do with the shop and I told him I did not know, but if they wanted me I would close it. But there was one of my chums, a married man, said he would look after is for me. He is a first class mechanic, and it will be all right.

Soldiers' Letters - Rushden Recruits Write to Baptist Pastor
The following letter have been received by the Rev. H. J. Horn, of the Park-road Baptist Church, from members of his flock who are serving their King and Country: -

Private Walter Bates (at the front) writes: - "I am very pleased that the people at home are thinking about us. A letter cheers one up and makes one put more go into it. I have been very fortunate considering the tight corners I have been in. My earnest prayer is that the Lord may bring this war to a speedy end, that we may soon be home with those who love us so well. Thank you for your kind offer. It is when we are in the trenches, that we require such things as socks and shirts, when we cannot get the chance to wash them..., must now close, trusting the Lord will have mercy on us one and all."

Friday 12 March 1915

Rushden Soldiers' Thanks
From Pte W Bates (a Rushdenite), 1st Northants Regiment: "Dear Madam - Just a line to thank you for your parcel of tobacco and cigarettes which I received today. They come in very well, as we are just about run out. Hoping you and yours are quite well; I am in excellent health myself. We are now resting but expect to be moving anytime now."

Friday 11 June 1915

Rushden Soldier Busy
An interesting letter comes from Pte Walter Bates, of Rushden, who writes from the trenches: "We had not been in these trenches long before we had one killed and two wounded (that's a very bad start) with bombs. I think they are some of the worst things that are used - I detest them myself. But don't go and worry about me - I am in a very comfortable place. If you could see us it would surprise you to see us in our nests. Cheer up; I cannot see it lasting a long time. I fail to see how they can stand it with other countries starting against them. But I hope we shall give them what they asked for; a thorough good thrashing. We are only in this time for four days. This is about the best place I have been in this year; I would not mind it for a month now that the weather is good. We are in the exact spot where a soldier won a V.C., so if you could see some old papers you would be able to find it quite easily. Cannot hear any news, only that things along the whole line are very satisfactory. My word! those devils want some moving. Yesterday afternoon we heard two mine explosions; I cannot say for certain whose they were, or what damage was done, but can say one thing; it was like an earthquake. Don't fancy them at all; very unpleasant, I can assure you! When in the other trenches my company was in reserve, and had to find working parties for several mines. It was my first experience underground. It seemed strange for a start, but the 'coal boxes' and bombs could not get at us. I think those chaps are as safe as we are above ground. Up to the present "B" and "D" Companies have seen some very bad luck. We had eleven casualties, and the regiment we relieved only three the whole time they were in here. I think when young ducks are feathered they want plucking, and the white ones handed out to our slackers. It makes one think and say things one would not dream of saying when we know there are thousands at home who are neglecting to do their bit; also to think of men going on strike for two more paltry bob a week. If makes no difference to war pay whether we work or play. England expects every man to get a move on. If they won't do it for the asking, then we must force them to it. Let the country wake up and realise that danger is near. We are not willing to fight for those men who are as fit as us, but quite willing to help all those who cannot help themselves."

A rumour has been round the town that this soldier has won the V.C., but this is not correct, and it appears that the rumour originated in the misreading of this letter by Mrs Bates, his wife. Pte Bates has, however, done many heroic deeds in the war, and in consideration of this the mistake we refer to was quite easily made.

The Wellingborough News Friday 23 April 1915, transcribed by Nicky Bates

Rushden Gunner in Action
Gunner Tom Clark, son of Mr and Mrs Clark, of "Wellingtonia", Irchester-road, Rushden who is a motorcyclist machine gun operator, writes home from the firing line that he is fit and sound, but "during the last fortnight I have had my soundness and fitness nearly upset a time or two. We were about 300 yards behind the trenches, and a German Taube appeared. Of course, we gave it hot, and she turned and flew back to her own lines. About half an hour afterwards we were ordered to take up another position, and, picking up our guns proceeded to do so. We had hardly got 100 yards from the spot when a heavy shell hit the very spot where my gun had been standing and 'blew the place to hell', as one fellow put it. Two of us the other night were sent to dig a gun pit under fire. After about ten minutes work we were forced to give up for it became too hot. The bullets were like bees, and at last they hit the parapet where we were working and made us quit. Yesterday, I went into Ypres - and what a sorry site it was! The beautiful cathedral is in ruins, and so is half the town. A German airship came over our present billets the other night and dropped several bombs, blowing up several houses and hitting some civilians."

The Wellingborough News Friday 25 December 1914, transcribed by Nicky Bates

Local War Items - Rushden Driver with Australian Contingent
In a letter home Driver Harry Meadows (of the 5^th Battery AFA 2^nd Brigade Field Artillery, 1^st Australian Division) gives his mother an interesting account of his voyage with fellow soldiers back to England. It was three years last July since, through the agency of Mr Henry Raby, of Kettering, he booked his passage to the Antipodes, left Rushden and "the dear homeland" - as he affectionately alludes to the Old Country - and took to farming "down under". His brother, by the way, is in the office of the Kettering Gas Company. Driver Meadows writes: "I am on my way with the Australian contingent; they are a fine lot of young fellows. We left camp at 3.15 am on 20^th October, arrived at Port Melbourne 8.30 am, loaded the horses, and sailed at three o'clock." After referring to Sydney's eminently satisfactorily way of dealing with the Emden, he says: "When Sydney passed us we were not allowed to cheer on account of the wounded."

Friday 25 September 1914

The Northamptons - High Praise from Lord Kitchener
Lord Kitchener on Sunday went to Shorncliffe and inspected many of the 17,000 recruits who are being trained there for active service.

As he passed the different units he recognised several old friends among the officers. He asked purely business questions of the soldiers, such as "How long have you been drilling?" and greatly delighted the Northamptons by remarking, "A fine body of men for the field."

The men's anxiety to show themselves at their best nearly ended disastrously for the War Secretary and his party. They approached a company of infantry who had just been given the command to take open order preparatory to lying down for firing. So great was the enthusiasm that the left flank clashed into the visitors, and Lord Kitchener had to take a quick jump aside to prevent himself being knocked over.

Friday 9 October 1914

Spy Baiting - Rushden Men Catch a Tartar
Spy baiting is all very well in its way, and possibly is an exceedingly good sport to those who like it. But - and it's a very big "but", too - one should thoroughly understand the rules of the game. Amateurs are apt to get into trouble. Generally speaking, the spy baiter has the sympathy of his audience, and starts with a very favourable handicap, but even then it "ain't pertickler safe", as was proved in Rushden on Sunday. First of all it is wise to carefully select a smaller man than yourself. That was one rule which the festive Rushdenite carelessly broke. He came out from wooing the nectar that inebriates, and had convinced several cronies in a loud and somewhat articulate voice, that "these 'ere bloomin' furreners 'ad ought to be bloomin' well kicked out of the country, and he was the bloomin' man to do it". In fact, our brave townsman convinced himself. Whereat he made another mistake, because it is an accepted fact that those who look on wine when it is red are not likely to have exact judgements. Anyhow, our hero was out for trouble, and it didn't matter where or when he got it. His pals wouldn't fight; indeed they wouldn't contradict him. So he ranged the part of the universe he could find, viz., High-street Rushden, for victims. At this juncture (I think that is the proper journalistic phrase for the occasion) an inoffensive stranger - to be precise, a traveller of highways and byways - approached the party. The pothouse politician twisted his classic features into a ponderous wink in an attempt to convey the request "You watch me soap him boys."

"Can you direct me to----- ?" queried the wayfarer.

"Can I wot, you........ foreigner?" was the polite response.

Now if the townsman had not been much "in the sun" he would have realised that the stranger had had to look after himself for a good many years without the wordy assistance of "pals". But he had the courage of alcohol the deceiver.

He persisted, and his pals cheered him on. He anointed the wayfarer with many new and blue-adjectived names, and when he paused for breath, the stranger said "Are you an Englishman?" The wordy one reckoned he'd kill the bloke who said he wasn't; and the stranger, after depositing his coat on an adjacent window ledge, said he would teach him to be a better specimen. In a few seconds the brave spy baiter was wriggling about like a tortoise turned on his back, and when he recovered, he was, we hope, a sadder and wiser man.

Friday 23 October 1914

Army Boot Orders
Army orders continue to be placed, and last weekend another 600,000 pairs of French Army boots were given out. Next month 400,000 pairs more will be distributed, and these will carry things on until February (says the Northampton correspondent of the "Boots and Shoe Trades Journal"). I understand that the British Government will shortly ask for further tenders. They have contracts running for about 1,000,000 pairs and another million will be required between now and May. It will be seen, therefore, that there will be no lack of Army orders for the next six months, and a busy time is certain for all factories over Christmas.

Friday 25 September 1914

The Northamptons - High Praise from Lord Kitchener
Lord Kitchener on Sunday went to Shorncliffe and inspected many of the 17,000 recruits who are being trained there for active service.

As he passed the different units he recognised several old friends among the officers. He asked purely business questions of the soldiers, such as "How long have you been drilling?" and greatly delighted the Northamptons by remarking, "A fine body of men for the field".

The men's anxiety to show themselves at their best nearly ended disastrously for the War Secretary and his party. They approached a company of infantry who had just been given the command to take open order preparatory to lying down for firing. So great was the enthusiasm that the left flank clashed into the visitors, and Lord Kitchener had to take a quick jump aside to prevent himself being knocked over.

Friday 22 October 1915

Rushden Recruits - Enthusiastic Send Off of the New "Boys"
The recruits who have joined the Northants Regt., during the past two weeks left Rushden by the 11.49 a.m. train for Colchester on Tuesday morning.

They "fell in" outside the recruiting office and marched through the town, and were met by the Rushden Rifle Band, who played them to the station. Here they were bidden farewell by the Rector and Mr G Miller, C.A., and a large number of inhabitants.

Mr Miller gave a message from Sir Ryland D Atkins stating Col Stapford Sackville's gratification and pleasure at the splendid response of the men to their country's call. He (the speaker) hoped before many days had passed by that he would have the opportunity of addressing a similar gathering, for Northamptonshire had to send out very quickly another 300 men. They were in the fight were the 'Steelbacks' - in the greatest of all fights, the fight for liberty and freedom.

The Rev. P Robson, Rector of the parish, said his first word was one of gratitude to them for coming forward for their country's sake in the hour of her need and danger. (Applause). He knew perfectly well that the response to such a call had cost them all something. It had meant the giving up of good jobs in Rushden, leaving home and friends; please God it might be only for short time. They had counted the cost and they would have their reward. Their reward was knowledge that they were doing their bit in their day and generation for their country in the hour of her need. They had by their sacrifice earned the gratitude of the town. (Applause). He thanked them for their splendid example they had set other men of the town. It was a fine thing to see so many of them ready to go forward. He then bade them "Good-bye," which he said they all knew meant "God be with you." "God bless you," he said, "and keep you. 'God be with you till we meet again.'" They were going through a period of discipline. It was always hard and irksome at first, but he was quite sure they would stick to it. Rushden lads were not afraid of facing difficulties and hardships, and he was quite sure Capt Stocken would be proud of the men he had taken from Rushden. They belonged to one of the most famous regiments in the British Army. They were called the "Steelbacks" and it was a great honour to belong to such as regiment. He was sure they would add lustre to the regiment. The "Steelbacks" always found it more difficult to retreat than advance. The "Steelbacks" always live up to their regiment's reputation and remain steady under the most difficult circumstances. Please God they would come home again. There were many of them who believed in prayer. He wished them good luck in the name of the Lord.

Capt. Stocken, on behalf of his men, of whom he said he was proud, thanked the speakers very much for their kind words and the band for its services. He also thanked the manufacturers who were paying the band for the time taken to play then off. (Applause). He was pleased with the smart appearance of the men and said a great deal of it was due to his N.C.O.s and men, but mostly to the men, who had worked hard and put their hearts into it. No regiment had more records than the "Steelbacks" and there was one record which was generally not known to them. The "Steelbacks" had never given up a trench they had charge of during the whole of the war. (Loud applause). He was very proud of his men, and was sure they would be a credit to the regiment and to the town. (Applause).

Messrs. B W Knibbs, J Adams, E Austin, and C Bates, of the Athletic and Band Clubs presented each man with a packet of cigarettes, as also did Mrs Cartwright, of High street, and Mr Evans of the Victoria Hotel.

Cheers were then heartily given for the men and officers.

As the men were entraining the band played "The girl I left behind me," and "Auld Lang Syne," and as the train steamed out of the station, "God Save the King."