l-r Back row: Pte. E. Graley, of 2nd East Surrey Regt.; Pte. D. Maddocks, Northamptons; L-Cpl. Frank Ormrod and Pte. James Barry, both 7th Northamptons. Sitting: L-Cpl. Smith, R.F.A.; Pte. R. Wilford, Northamptonshire Yeomanry; Mrs. Wilford; Cpl. Walter Wood, 1st Northamptons; and Pte. H. Stock (Kettering), 6th Northamptons.

Local Prisoners of War in Switzerland
After suffering the horrors of German prison camps, the above British heroes are among the fortunate ones to be transferred to the kindly hospitality of Switzerland until the end of the war. The photograph has been sent by Cpl. Wood, of the 1^st Northamptons, whose life was saved during the retreat from Mons by a bullet being stopped by a tin box. The gallant corporal, whose home is at Rushden, writes from Hotel Edelweiss, Murren, Switzerland.

“I have gathered all the boys of the county here together and have had their photograph taken so that you may publish the photograph in your paper, They all join with me in sending their heartfelt thanks for the kindness shown them through the subscribers to the Northampton Prisoner of War Fund while we were in that God forsaken country called Germany. Photo: Courtesy of “Northampton Independent”

Sinking of the White Star Liner
Rushden Resident Rescued – By German Submarine
Those of our readers who were aware of the fact that a Rushden resident Mr. Hy. Joyce, was an able-seaman on the White Star liner, S.S. Georgie, recently sunk by a German submarine, will be pleased to hear that Mr. Joyce’s mother, Mrs. Mason, of 23 Carnegie-street, Rushden, on Tuesday received a postcard from her son to the effect that he is a prisoner at Dulmen, Westf., Germany. The postcard is dated January 28th last, and states that no communications are to be sent to Dulmen.

Beyond this there is no other information, not even with relation to his health, but it is evident that, after sinking the Georgie, the German submarine picked up at least one of the liner’s crew.

Mr. Joyce, previous to the outbreak of war, spent some time in Australia, and returned to England on the outbreak of war to serve his country in the Navy, and went through several naval engagements. He became an able-seaman on the Georgie not long before the ship was sunk.

Rushden Seaman’s Bravery - Captured by the Germans – But Anxious to Recover the Vessel
Some interesting facts have come to light regarding the bravery of Harry Joyce, of Rushden, late of His Majesty’s ship Penelope, who was captured by the Germans whilst he was serving on board the steamship Georgie. Mrs Joyce, of 25, Carnegie-street, Rushden, received from her son a card stating that he was a prisoner of war, and thereupon she informed Mr. C. L. Bradfield with a view to parcels being sent to him through the Rushden Prisoners of War Fund. Mr Bradfield got into communication with the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society to ascertain if Joyce’s name was on their list, and received a reply in the affirmative, stating that they had charge of all the Georgie men and were sending parcels to them regularly. Under those circumstances, Mr. Bradfield’s committee sent a subscription to the Sailors’ Society as the Co-Committee under which Joyce is receiving benefit.

Arising out of this fact, Mr. Bradfield today received the following interesting letter from Mr. F. M. Collins, the Relief Superintendent of the Sailors’ Society:-

“Dear Mr. Bradfield, I am sure it will be very gratifying indeed both to you and your townsmen to hear of a wonderful testament of the bravery of Harry Joyce, that has reached me this morning from a Scotsman of the name of Simms, late of the S.S. Georgie, who was a fellow prisoner with Joyce on the Yarrowdale, and who has escaped from Brandenburg by falsely representing himself as an American, when in reality he is a Scotsman with a beautiful American Accent.

“Assuming this man to be entirely truthful, and he certainly impresses one with his honesty, Joyce particularly desired to take steps for the recovery of the vessel, which according to my informant, would have been a comparatively easy matter if only they had received the necessary support from others. There were only thirteen Germans on board, armed of course, and with a machine gun mounted on the poop, but Simms tells that the man Joyce, with others, would have only been too ready to have taken the risk for the recovery of the vessel, had they been supported, which unfortunately they were not. Altogether there were about 500 prisoners on board. The tales the man tells me of the condition of affairs in Brandenburg are almost too horrible for repetition, and I am so struck by the man’s intelligence, and, I believe honesty, that I purpose taking steps with a view to him offering his experiences before a Commission of the two Houses which has been appointed to look into the whole question of the sending of prisoners’ parcels.

“I am sure this letter will be of interest to you, and is simply an independent testimony of the worth of your townsman.—I am yours faithfully, F. M. Collins, relief superintendent.

Missing Rushden Soldier a Prisoner
News is to hand that Pte. F. Clarke (“Bussy”), of the Northants Regiment, fourth son of Mr. W. Clarke, of 78 Cromwell-road, Rushden, is a prisoner in Germany. The soldier joined up over two years ago, and was wounded last September in both legs, and treated at Lincoln Hospital. He recovered, and went out to France at the beginning of the year, and was reported “missing, believed killed,” on February 17th. We are pleased to learn that the report was not correct. His parents have received information that he is a prisoner in Germany.

Rushden War Prisoner
Mrs. Underwoood, of 156 Wellingborough-road, Rushden, has received the welcome news that her husband, who was missing since April 17th, is alive and well in Germany. Pte. Peter Underwood, 22505 of the Northants, one of Capt. Stocken’s recruits, writes from Wahn, Germany: “We are all alive and kicking, but we are being worked very hard all the while, as they are waiting for a reply from the Government. We shall be glad when they do, for we are still very hungry. If you can make a bread pudding and bake it I wish you would send it when you can, for a bit of pudding would be all right. I shall be glad of a letter from home.” The soldier probably refers to his comrades Ptes. Tom Parker, of Montague-street, and Scrimshaw, of Midland-road, Rushden, who were missing the same time as Pte. Underwood.

Local prisoners in Switzerland
Miss Doris Millgan, daughter of Dr. R. A. Milligan, J.P., has recently been out in Switzerland on behalf of the British Red Cross to escort a party of 18 wives and fiancées of prisoners. Miss Milligan met several prisoners of the Northamptonshire Regiment at Murren, including Pte. Stock, of Kettering, and Corpl. W. Wood, of Rushden, all of whom, she says, spoke most gratefully of the parcels they received through the County Prisoners of War Fund while they were prisoners in Germany, for they declared that the parcels kept them alive. Corpl. Wood, who was badly wounded in the retreat from Mons, had a miraculous escape from being killed, as a German bullet struck a ration tin he was carrying in his left breast pocket and fortunately lodge in the tin. Miss Milligan states that though so much is done to make the prisoners at Murren happy and healthy, their long exile from home, which in many cases has lasted three years, has made them yearn to return, and they are looking forward hopefully to the success of the negotiations now going on for the repatriation of certain classes of prisoners, including those who have been at least eighteen months in captivity, and also those men who are neither cured nor visibly better after three months in Switzerland.

Rushden Echo, 6^th July 1916

A Prisoner of War

Mrs. Underwood, of 156 Wellingboro-road, Rushden, received a postcard on Wednesday morning from her husband, Pte. Peter Underwood, 22505 Northants Regt., one of Captain Stocken’s recruits, who for some time had been reported missing. The card, written from Wahn, Germany, shows that Pte. Underwood is a prisoner of war in German hands. He says: “Just a few lines to you, hoping they will find you in the best of health at home, and to let you know that we are all alive and kicking, but we are being worked here all the while, as they are still waiting for a reply from our Government, and we shall be glad when they hear, as we are still very hungry. If you can make me a bread pudding and bake it I wish you would send it when you can, as a bit of bread pudding would be all right. I shall be glad when we get a letter from home, so that we can hear how you all are going on, as you know how it is yourself when you don’t get a letter. Keep smiling.”

In the sentence “we are all still alive,” Pte. Underwood probably refers to Pte. W. Scrimshaw, of 35 Midland-road, and to Pte. T. H. Parker, of Montague-street, as these three generally alluded to each other in their letters.

Pte. E. Mackness, of the Northants Regt. in a letter to his mother, who resides at 26 Denmark-road, mentions that Pte. Underwood “and the others” are prisoners of war. Pte. Mackness, we understand, picked up Pte. Underwood’s cap badge subsequent to the engagement. His phrase “and the others,” probably refs to Ptes. Parker and Scrimshaw.

Rushden Prisoners of War
After several months of anxiously on the part of their parents and other relatives news has just been received of two Rushden soldiers who had been missing since an engagement at Lens in April. An official note has been sent to Mr. and Mrs. George Parker, of Montagu-street, Rushden, stating that their eldest son, Pte. Thos. H. Parker, 22210 (Northants Regt.), fell into the hands of the Germans on April 17th, and was registered at Lemburg, although his present camp is not known. Pte. Parker had served in the Army before the present war, and, being time-expired, re-enlisted.

The other soldier of whom news has at last come to hand is Pte. William Scrimshaw, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Scrimshaw, of Midland-road. A card forwarded by a prisoners’ of war agency at Geneva reports that he was taken at Lens on April 17th, and has been to Douai, although his present situation is not known. Pte. Scrimshaw, who is 20 years of age, was a clicker in Messrs. John Cave and Son’s factory, enlisted in November 1915, and went out to France in March 1916.

The Rushden Echo, 20^th July, 1917, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Private Thos. Henry Parker - Previously Reported Missing
  Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Parker, of 21, Montague-street, Rushden, have received a notification from the Infantry Record Office, Warley, to the effect that their son, 22210 Pte. Thomas Henry Parker, of the Northants Regiment, who has been missing from his unit as from April 17^th, as reported in the “Rushden Echo” at the time, is now reported a prisoner of war, captured at Lens on April 17^th.  He was registered at Lemberg, but his present camp is not yet reported.

  It will be remembered that we published the news a week or two ago that Mrs. Underwood, of 156, Wellingborough-road, Rushden, had received a postcard from Germany from her husband, Pte. P. Underwood, to say that he and “the others” were all alive and kicking.  “The others” was then assumed to mean Ptes. Scrimshaw and Parker of Rushden, as from all accounts they were all together at the time of capture.

  Apparently, judging from a card received by Mrs. Underwood on Wednesday morning, Pte. Parker has been parted from his comrades, so that his parents are still anxiously awaiting further news of his whereabouts.

The Rushden Echo, 20^th July, 1917, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Drummer Harry Weekley Seriously Hurt - Seven Severe Shrapnel Wounds
  Drummer Harry Weekley (Rushden) of the Royal Fusiliers, brother of Mrs. Ernest Lawson, of 45, Victoria-road, Rushden, is in Coombe Lodge Hospital, Great Warley, Essex, suffering from seven severe shrapnel wounds in the back and stomach.  He received his injuries during the big attack at Ypres on June 7^th, whilst he was engaged as stretcher-bearer.

  He has undergone two operations, and has been in so precarious a condition that his relatives were wired for last Saturday.  His sister, who returned home on Tuesday evening, informed a representative of the “Rushden Echo” that an operation which was performed last Saturday had proved successful, and that there is now hope that he may survive, although his recovery must of necessity be very protracted.  When Mrs. Lawson left her brother on Tuesday he seemed much brighter, and was making as much progress as can be expected.

  Drummer Weekley, who enlisted immediately on the outbreak of war, had been in France a year and ten months prior to the date on which he received his wounds.  He was formerly employed by Messrs. Crick and Patenall, boot manufacturers, Rushden, and before joining the Colours was a member of the Rushden Adult School Male Choir.

News of Pte G W Betts
For some weeks past inquiries have been made through the columns of the "Rushden Echo" for news concerning Pte G W Betts 33601 - Bedfordshire Regt., son of Mr and Mrs George Betts, of 39 Harborough-road, Rushden. We are pleased to report that Mr and Mrs Betts have now received an intimation from the War Office that their son is now reported as a prisoner of war, registered at the camp at Limburg. Up to the present no news has been received from the soldier himself, and Mr and Mrs Betts are anxiously awaiting a letter.

Rushden Echo, 10th August 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Soldier Missing – News Wanted
Mr. and Mrs. W. Lett, of 74 Crabb-street, have received official news that their son, Pte. E. C. Lett, 17828 Northants Regiment, has been posted as “missing after an engagement in France on July 20th.” Pte. Lett, who is 24 years of age, and is known as “Bev,” is a good footballer, and used to play for Wellingborough Redwell Club. Ever since leaving school he had worked for Messrs. Robinson Brothers, boot manufacturers, Rushden.

Missing
Mr. Samuel Burditt, of 114 High-street South, Rushden, has received official news that his son, the eldest of ten children, Pte. Geo. Burditt, of the Northants regt., has been missing since the Dunes Battle. The soldier had been in France nearly two years, and has not yet reached his 19th birthday. He joined up three years ago, and has seen much stirring fighting, but escaped unwounded. He spent his first leave in Rushden last Christmas. His young brother, a Boy Scout, received his call up papers on the day the news was received.

17^th August, 1917

News of Pte. A. E. Richardson Wanted
  Mr. and Mrs. William Richardson, of 1, Essex-road, Rushden, have received official news that their fourth son, Pte. Albert Ernest Richardson, 17897, Northants Regiment, has been “posted as missing, after an engagement at a place not stated, on July 10^th, 1917.”  Pte. Richardson, who was 21 years of age on August 1^st, worked at Messrs. Bull & Clayton’s before enlisting, which was at Easter, 1915, and he went to France in December, 1915.  Mr. and Mrs. Richardson would be thankful to hear from any of their son’s comrades who can give them information as to his whereabouts.

  Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have written to the British Red Cross and Order of St. John to see if they can obtain information, and have received a reply to the effect that all possible inquiries shall be made.

  Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have two other sons in the forces – Pte. Arthur Richardson, in the Suffolks, now serving in France, and Pte. Geo. Percy Richardson, A.S.C. Motor Transports, Middlesex.

Rushden Man a Prisoner—We understand that Pte. Childs, of Rushden, who has been missing for some six or seven weeks, is a prisoner of war in Germany.

Rushden Man a Prisoner of War
Mrs. C. Minney, of 40 North-street, Rushden, whose husband, Pte. Chris. Minney, of the Northants Regt., has been missing since the Battle of the Dunes, has received a postcard from him saying that he is slightly wounded and a prisoner of war in Germany.

A Rushden Soldier Missing - Private George Tebbutt - A Prisoner of War

A few weeks ago we published the news that Pte G Tebbutt of the Northants Regiment, husband of Mrs Tebbutt of 107 Glassbrook Road, Rushden, was reported missing from his unit as from July 10th, 1917.

We are pleased to report that Mrs Tebbutt has now received a postcard dated July 12th, in her husband’s own handwriting as follows:-

“My dear wife – just a card to let you know I have been taken prisoner, also wounded, but am going on quite well. I hope all at home are in the best of health. Will send address later. Best love.”

The post-mark on the card is Limburg.

Pte Tebbutt, who was formerly employed by Messrs Wm Green & Sons, boot manufacturers, Rushden, enlisted on August 29th last year, and proceeded to France on December 10th.

Rushden Echo, 31^st August 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

Prisoner in Germany—Mr. and Mrs. W. Lett, of 74 Crabb-street, Rushden, received a postcard on Sunday morning from their son, Pte. Ernest C. Lett, 17828 Northants Regt., stating that he is a prisoner of war in Germany, and adding that he will send his address as soon as he possibly can.

Pte. Herbert Chettle of the Northamptons, has sent a postcard to his mother, Mrs. Walter Chettle, of 49 Cromwell-road, Rushden, stating that he is a prisoner of war in Germany, and intimating that he is wounded in both shoulders. He states that he is making satisfactory progress. He adds: “I don’t want you to worry as to where I am, for I am being well looked after.” Pte. Chettle, who had been in France over two years, was previously wounded in August 1916, during an action on the Somme.

We are pleased to report that Mr. and Mrs. W. Lewis, of 7 Pytchley-road, Rushden, have received news that their son, Pte. C. W. Lewis, of the Northants Regt., who has been missing since the battle of the Dunes, is a prisoner of war. The news, which is sent by the soldier himself, has relieved his parents’ anxiety, as they had received no information concerning their son’s whereabouts until his postcard arrived last Sunday morning. Writing under date July 19th—postmark Limburg—Pte. Lewis says: “Just a few lines to say that I am still all right and in the best of health, although I am a prisoner of war in Germany. Now, mother dear, I do hope you will not worry, for I think I shall be all right. There are several Rushden fellows with me, so I am not alone. I am pleased to say we have been treated will so far, and I think we shall soon be home now. Cheer O! Will send a letter as soon as possible so as to let you know my address.” Pte. Lewis, who is 21 years of age, enlisted two years ago last February, and was sent to France last November, after having been in hospital eight months with enteric fever, contracted during the Dardanelles campaign, through which he fought. Right up to the time of enlistment he was a member of the Rushden Boy Scouts, and formerly worked for Messrs Jaques and Clark, boot manufacturers, Rushden.

Mrs. Dodge, of Finedon, has heard from her son, Pte. Walter Dodge, of the Northants Regiment, that he is a prisoner of war. Pte. Dodge, who was a teacher at the Newton-road schools, Rushden, at the time he enlisted, says he is safe and well, is being well treated, and that his mother has nothing to worry about.

A week or so ago we published the news that Pte. George Burditt, of the Northants regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Burditt, of 114 High-street South, Rushden, had been missing from his regiment since the Battle of the Dunes on July 10th. We are now pleased to report that on Wednesday morning—Pte. Burditt’s 19th birthday—his parents received a postcard from him as follows: “I am a prisoner of war, but in good health. The address will be forwarded later.” The postmark on the card is Limberg, and it is dated July 15th.

In our issue of August 3rd we published the news that 18060, Pte. William Tew, of the Northants Regiment, son of Mrs. Clayton, of Harborough-road, Rushden, had been missing since the Battle of the Dunes. Mrs. Clayton has now, we are pleased to report, received a postcard from her son, dated July 13th, as follows: “I am a prisoner of war in Germany, and am slightly wounded, otherwise all right. I will forward my address later.”

Postcards received in the Rushden and Higham Ferrers district from soldiers captured by the Germans on July 10th were nearly two months on the way.

Rushden Prisoner of War – Private Aggie Ayres
Missing Since the Battle of the Dunes
In our issue of August 3rd, we published the news that Pte A Ayres, of the Northants Regiment, husband of Mrs Ayres, of Oswald-road, Rushden, had been missing from his regiment since the battle of the Dunes on July 10th. We are now pleased to learn that Mrs Ayres received a postcard from her husband on Monday giving the information that he is a prisoner of war and that he is quite well and unwounded.

Rushden Prisoner of War—Although he has been a prisoner of war since April, Pte. William Scrimshaw, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Scrimshaw, of Midland-road, Rushden, has only just been able to establish communications with his parents, who, after a long wait, have at last received a letter from him. In his message Pte. Scrimshaw says that he and the other Rushden men who were captured in April are still in France, behind the lines, near the place where they were taken. They say they would rather be taking their luck with the boys in the trenches than being where they are. Pte. Scrimshaw asks his friends not to worry too much about him, as he is hoping the war will soon be over.

Rushden Prisoner of War — News of Pte. W Scrimshaw — A Letter at Last

Pte. William A Scrimshaw, 252566, Northants Regiment, who has been a prisoner of war since April, has at last been able to communicate with his parents Mr and Mrs G H Scrimshaw, of 35, Midland-road, Rushden. He has evidently written previous letters, which, however, failed to reach their destination. Under date July 24th, from Limburg, Germany, he writes:-

"Just a few lines to let you know I am still alive and kicking, hoping you are all in the best of health at home. Well, I don't know whether you have received my last letter yet, which I wrote on July 2nd, as we have had no news from England in the came since we have been captured. We are still in France in the same place as when I last wrote, and are being treated about the same—no better, anyway. We are all looking forward to the day when peace is declared, and we can be free once more. It would be something to know how you all were getting on at home, as it seems like being cut off from the rest of the world, but we must cheer up and try to make the best of a bad job. I think we all would rather be chancing our luck in the front line with the rest of the boys than being in the position we are.

"Well, I cannot write a lot, as it is hard to know whether you are putting anything in which would result in the letter being torn up. Sometimes I think the others I have written have been destroyed, but, of course, we cannot tell. It seems funny we have had no letters in return yet, but we are hoping to have some news from you any time now. Tell all friends and neighbours I shall be pleased when I can be amongst them once more."

Mr and Mrs Scrimshaw wish to express their sincere thanks for the many kind inquiries concerning the welfare of their son.

Rushden Prisoner of War - News of Pte. T H Parker - Within the Sound of Guns
In May last we published in our columns the news that 22210 Pte. Thomas Henry Parker, Northants Regiment, son of Mr and Mrs G Parker, of 21 Montague-street, Rushden, had been posted as missing from his unit since the advance on Lens on April 17th.

Subsequently, Mr and Mrs Parker received an official notification that their son was a prisoner of war, but until this week nothing had been heard from the soldier himself.

On Tuesday morning, however, Mr and Mrs Parker received a letter and postcard from their son, both sent from Limburg, Germany. In his letter, dated July 7th, Pte. Parker says: “Just a line, hoping to find you all quite well. I don’t know whether you have been receiving my cards that I have sent, but I hope you have before now, as I know how worried you would all be when you found out I was missing. It has been ten weeks since I sent my address, but we have been shifted about so much that I have hardly expected a letter, but this is a proper address, so if you get this, I think your letters will come all right. You don’t know how I should like to hear from you, but no one has had a letter or parcel yet since we were captured, so I am no worse than the others. I hope you were not kept so long before you knew where I was. I should like to know how Sid and George (his brothers) are getting on. I can hear the guns, and I always wonder if they are going through it. I hope they come out of it quite safe and better than me, as I don’t get enough to eat and I have been in hospital for a week.”

Continuing, Pte. Parker asks that some plain had biscuits, brown bread, and tobacco may be sent to him, or a parcel of crusts, and adds: “I have been shifted from Peter and “Serim,” [Ptes. Underwood and Scrimshaw, of Rushden, who were captured at the same time.—Editor, “R.E.”] and am on my own. I do not like that, but I am getting used to hardships and such like by now. I shall be glad when it is all over and I am back home again. I would sooner be in the firing line any time.”

On a postcard dated seven weeks later, Pte. Parker says: “I am still in hospital, very weak, but getting on a bit; nothing to worry about.”