Rushden Trooper in Italy
Tall man in the centre of this picture from Italy is Trooper Harley Welsford, of Rushden. As a member of the Royal Tank Regiment he fought in the Middle East last year and became a prisoner on June 2nd. He writes once a month to his mother, Mrs. W. Bass, of 3, Jones’s Cottages, Victoria-road, Rushden, and assures her that he is well and happy.

The soldier on the right was in the same tank crew as Trooper Welsford, and the other was known to Trooper Welsford in England, being in the same battalion.

After 12 Months - Rushden Airman Reported Prisoner of Japs
For 12 months Mr. and Mrs. G. S. Baker, of 79, Irchester-road, Rushden, had been out of touch with their only son, Corpl Eric William Baker, R.A.F., who was serving in the Far East. Their letters had remained unanswered, and no news of Corpl. Baker had been issued by the authorities. Then last Friday a telegram from the Air Ministry relieved their anxiety and revealed that he was a prisoner-of-war in Japanese hands.

Corpl. Baker has been in the R.A.F. for three years and went abroad two years ago. His last letter was written while he was in Java, and he stated that he was then “OK.” A native of Rushden, he attended the Alfred-street Schools and is a member of the Mission Band. He is 26 years of age.

After 14 Months
Rushden Soldier Known to be a Prisoner
Driver Herbert Fisher Dickens, R.A.S.C., only son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Dickens, of 28, Oval-road, Rushden, who has been “missing” since February, 1942, following the fall of Singapore, has now officially been reported a prisoner of war in Japanese hands at Tai camp. This news was received by his parents from the War Office on Thursday morning.

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.

Prisoner of Italians
Official News of Young Rushden Sportsman

Corpl. Clifford William Homan, Lincolnshire Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Homan, of 18, Newton-road, Rushden, is officially reported to be a prisoner of war in Italian hands. The news arrived on Tuesday – about three weeks after he had been listed as missing.

Cpl. Homan is 23 and has two brothers in the Services – one with the R.A.F. and the other with the R.A.S.C. He joined the Army in October, 1939, having been employed at Messrs. John White’s heeling department in Lime-street. He played football for the Intermediate School and Adult School, and cricket for the Impregnable.

Anxiety Relieved - Young Rushden Sportsman is a Prisoner

After waiting 13 months for news, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Causebrook, of 2, Gordon-street, Rushden, learned on Saturday that their elder son, L/Cpl. Francis Charles (Peter) Causebrook, of the R.A.M.C., is a prisoner of war at Malai Camp in the hands of the Japs. The information, confirmed by the International Red Cross, came from the R.A.M.C. Record Office.

Aged 23, L/Cpl. Causebrook was a clerk in the office of the Rushden Sanitary Inspector before joining the Army in October, 1939. He became attached to a mobile bath unit, and on February 13 – two days before the fall of Singapore – cabled home to say that he had landed in Malaya.

Educated at Wellingborough Grammar School, he was a popular member of the Wellingborough Town Rugby F.C., and of the Rushden Swimming Club.

Radio Surprise - Rushden Wife Told Husband is a Prisoner
Mrs. M. Austin of 61 Trafford-road, Rushden, has been officially informed that a broadcast was made to her from her husband, Pte. Harold Austin, of the Northants Regiment, from Calais on May 3rd. This came as a great surprise, as a letter dated April 10th had just been received.

Pte. Austin, in his message, said he had been taken prisoner, but his relatives were not to worry as he was quite well and being treated well. He sent his love to his daughter Jacqueline and signed himself “Jack,” which is his nickname.

At the time of his last letter Pte. Austin was with the First Army in North Africa, where he had been serving since last November.

Taken by Japs - News of Another Local Soldier
Having received no news of her husband, Gunner George Edward Roast, for fifteen months, Mrs. L. Roast, of 40 Oval-road, Rushden, has now had her anxiety relieved by an official notification informing her that he is a prisoner in Japanese hands and interned at Taivan Camp.

Gunner Roast, who is 31, was called up from the Reserve before the outbreak of war, and left this country in October, 1941, last being heard of in Bombay. There are two young children. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. Roast, reside at Sharnbrook.

A Rapid Sequel - Rushden Parents Hear Voice of “Missing” Son
Last Friday Mr. and Mrs. G. Mole, of 39, Midland-road, Rushden, learned that their son, Corpl. Leonard Philip Mole, was missing. On Monday they heard his voice on the German radio, informing them that he was a prisoner of war.

The original news was from the War Office, stating that Cpl. Mole was posted as missing on April 14th, when he was serving with the First Army in North Africa.

Just before nine o’clock on Monday evening, Mr. and Mrs. Mole were listening to the German radio, hoping that they might hear further news, when their wish was fulfilled in the following message.

“Dear Mum and Dad, Am prisoner of war, taken in Africa. Am well; don’t worry. Love to all at home. Cheerio. – Len.”

Corporal Mole has been in the Northamptonshire Regiment for three and a half years, and was in the evacuation of Dunkirk, going overseas again last October. Twenty-four years of age, he was formerly employed by Messrs. Walter Sargent and Co., boot manufacturers, and played football for Rushden Adult School. He is a member of St. Peter’s Church.

Twice “Missing” In Africa - Rushden Soldier Now On List of Prisoners
Mr. and Mrs. C. Mackness, of 87, Trafford-road, Rushden, were notified on Wednesday morning by the “Catholic Times” in London that their son, Pte. Charles Sidney George Mackness, who had been missing since April 14th in North Africa, was included in a list of British prisoners of war broadcast by the Vatican radio.

Pte. Mackness has twice been on the “missing” list. The first time was in November of last year, but that had a surprising sequel in the arrival of a letter written by him on December 9th.

Aged 24, he has had over three years’ service with the Northamptonshire Regiment, and was employed by Messrs. Eaton and Co., boot manufacturers, being a member of the Rushden Homing Society and the Town Band Club. His two brothers are also in H.M. Forces.

Radio Message Confirmed - Rushden Man a Prisoner in Italy
Confirmation of the news that her husband Pte Harold Austin, of the Northamptonshire Regiment, is a prisoner of war in Italy has been received by Mrs. M. Austin of 61, Trafford-road, Rushden, from the Records Office, Warwick.

Previously Mrs. Austin had been informed of a broadcast made by her husband on May 4th from Calais, when he said he was well and being treated well, and sent his love to their daughter Jacqueline.

Pte Austin had been serving with the First Army in North Africa since last November. He has two brothers serving abroad.

Another Prisoner - Rushden Bandsman on The Camp List
Mrs. Laura Valentine, of 71, Harborough-road, Rushden, was informed by the Records Office of the Royal Artillery on Thursday week that her husband, L/Bombardier Walter Valentine, is a prisoner of war in Japanese hands and interned at Thai Camp. This was the first information Mrs. Valentine had received since he was posted as missing in March, 1942, when he was stationed in Malaya. L/Bdr. Valentine, who is 24, is the fifth son of Mrs. and the late Mr. S. A. Valentine, of Washbrook-road, Rushden, and used to attend the Rushden Mission Church, playing in the Mission Band. He formerly worked for Messrs. Yorke Bros., Ltd., of Wellingborough, boot manufacturers. Three brothers are serving with the R.A.F. and two are on war work. There is one young daughter.

Rushden Man Under Japs
Friends of Mr. Edward Cecil Jones who has been missing since the sinking of H.M.S. “Exeter” off Java will be pleased to learn that his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jones, of 65, Harborough-road, Rushden, were informed by telegram on Tuesday that he is now a prisoner of war in Japanese hands.

Prisoner of Japs
Rushden R.A.F. Officer Who Escaped To Java
A telegram received from the Air Ministry on Sunday informed Mr. and Mrs. H. Skinner, of 2, High-street South, Rushden, that their younger son, Pilot Officer Jeffery Skinner, R.A.F., is a prisoner of war in Japanese hands. A letter on Monday gave the additional news that he is at a camp in Java.

Pilot Officer Skinner is 25 years old. He went to Cambridge University from Wellingborough School and joined the Air Force on finishing at Cambridge in June, 1940. Going out to Malaya, he served on radio station duties at Singapore with Squadron Leader R. J. Bedells, whose wife, a Rushden lady, was also out there.

When Malaya was invaded Mrs. Bedells escaped to England. A few days later both her husband and Pilot Officer Skinner got away to Java. P.O. Skinner cabled home from there at the end of February, 1942, but nothing more was heard of him until the official telegram on Sunday, though news that Squadron Leader Bedells was a prisoner arrived a fortnight ago.

Mr. and Mrs. Skinner’s other son, Sub-Lieut. Philip H. Skinner, is with the Fleet Air Arm as a pilot, having gained his wings in Canada.

Reported Missing - Anxiety for Rushden Air-Gunner
Sergt. W.O. A. G. 'Tony' Reynolds, R.A.F., of 7, Westfield-avenue, Rushden, has been reported missing from recent air operations. Aged 23 he is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Reg. Reynolds, who received this news last Saturday.

Sergt. Reynolds has been with the R.A.F. for two years and nine months, and was formerly employed by the Gas Company. He was educated at the Intermediate School and attended the Mission Sunday School. A keen fisherman, he has won many prizes for this sport.

Mr. and Mrs. Reg. Reynolds have two more sons and three daughters.

Rushden Gunner’s Message - First News of Him Since Fall of Singapore
A postcard received from their son, Gnr. Thomas Edward Ainge, R.A., on Wednesday was the first news that Mr. and Mrs. T. Ainge, of 6, Denmark-road, Rushden, had had since he was known to have been in Singapore at the time of the collapse.

Gunner Ainge wrote: “Am quite fit and well and unhurt. Hoping this finds you all the same. Please don’t worry; am treated well.” It is evident that he is now a prisoner of war in Japanese hands.

Aged 22, Gnr. Ainge joined the Army in December, 1939, formerly being employed in the welted department of the Coxton Shoe Co. He attended the Independent Wesleyan Church, and as a boy was at the Newton-road School.

After 19 Months - Ex-Rushden Soldier Gets Message Home
L/Cpl. Donald Jack Bason, Royal Norfolk Regiment, is another man with local connections, missing since the fall of Singapore, now known to be a prisoner of war in Japanese hands.

L/Cpl. Bason, who is 25 years old, was born in Rushden and lived here as a boy, but later went to Northampton, joining the Army about three years ago. The last message from him was in November, 1941, but on Wednesday his wife, Mrs. M. Bason, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. Bason, of 126, London-road, Northampton, heard that he was a prisoner and in good health.

Rushden Sailor Missing - Admiralty States he may be a Prisoner
A telegram from the Admiralty on Monday morning informed Mr. and Mrs. A. Dunmore, of 35, Tennyson-road, Rushden, that their only son, A/B Ralph Dunmore, R.N., was missing, possibly a prisoner of war.

A/B Dunmore was last heard of serving on the India route three months ago. He is 28 years of age and has been with the Royal Navy for three years, before then being employed at Messrs. John White’s factory in Lime-street.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 12^th November, 1943, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Escape from Italy - War Prisoner Gets to Switzerland

  The first news of a Rushden man escaping from a prison camp in Italy has been received by Mrs. M. Shatford, of 34, Allen-road, Rushden, who learns from the War Office that her son has arrived in Switzerland.

  He is L/Cpl Arthur Shatford, a tank gunner in the Royal Tank Regiment, who was reported missing in the Middle East in July, 1942, and later an Italian prisoner.  L/Cpl. Shatford is 23 years of age and was employed in the lasting department of Messrs. Bignells, Ltd.  He is on the roll of the Rushden Athletic Club.

Rushden Echo and Argus, 3^rd December, 1943, transcribed by Gill Hollis

News of War Prisoners
Rushden and Higham Men Moved Into Germany

  Anxiety about local men who were prisoners of war in Italy before the Italians surrendered is gradually being relieved by the arrival of messages.

  Two men from whom postcards have been received this week are Trooper Percival John Watts, Royal Tank Regiment (Higham Ferrers) and Gnr. Eric Horace Holyoak (Rushden).  Both state that they have been transferred to Germany from Italy and are quite well.

  Trooper Watts’s wife resides at 14, Hope-street, Bozeat, and his parents at “Rochdale,” Bryant-way, Higham Ferrers.  He is 22 years of age and went abroad in September, 1941, being posted “missing” in August, 1942.  Formerly he had worked at Messrs. John White’s Shirley-road factory, Rushden.

  Gnr. Holyoak is the second son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Holyoak, of 38, Oval-road, Rushden.  He joined the Army in March, 1941, went to the Middle East on his 21^st birthday in February, 1942, and was missing in June.  He had previously been employed by Messrs. Sanders and Sanders, Ltd., and was a keen darts player and a member of the Town Band Club.

Rushden Echo and Argus, 24^th December, 1943, transcribed by Gill Hollis

After Two Years - Wife Has Message From Husband

  After nearly two years of waiting for news of her husband, who was reported “missing,” Mrs. V. M. Desborough, of 93, St. Margaret’s-avenue, Rushden, received a postcard in his own handwriting on Tuesday morning.

  L/Cpl. David Desborough, R.A.O.C., states that he is in excellent health and hopes that his wife and baby son, whom he has never seen, are too.  He was reported missing after 12 months’ service in the Far East in March, 1942, and is now a prisoner of war in Japanese hands.  Aged 28 years, he was formerly a keen clarinet player and a member of the Windmill Club, being an employee of Messrs. Harris Bros., tanners.  His mother, Mrs. J. Desborough, resides at 8, Spencer-road, Irthlingborough.