Mr. John White, leader of the Rushden Area “Salute the Soldier” Campaign, has announced that he is interested in a scheme whereby employers of labour can help their employees very considerably in the purchase of Savings Certificates.  He is doing his utmost to get the scheme adopted in the area, and is also sending letters of appeal to a large number of residents.

  “Merely to get the target figure will not satisfy me,” he told his general committee.  “I want to see an amount considerably in excess of it.  Every report you get from all over the country shows how well the small saver is coming up to scratch.  I shall make a definite personal appeal to every employee in our factories, and I want to see others do the same.”

  Coun. F. Green, J.P., told the committee that he always sent a personal letter to every householder in Queen-street, which has done so well in the earlier campaigns.

  Several street secretaries are collecting the photographs of all Service men and women belonging to their streets, and will exhibit them in windows.  This may well become one of the most popular features of the campaign, which opens on Saturday, June 24^th, with an area target of £175,000.  Plans are now almost completely in shape and will be published in full next week.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 23^rd June, 1944, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Invasion Inspires “Salute” Plans
Zero Hour in Rushden’s £175,000 Campaign

    Events in Normandy, where local soldiers have already been wounded, will almost certainly give great impetus to the Rushden, Higham Ferrers and Raunds Salute the Soldier Week and take the total savings far beyond the objective of £175,000.

[The first column of this article is on the fold of the paper and half of each line is missing, so I have gone to the second column.]

Popular Events

  A military display at the Hall, with music by the Band of the Leicestershire Regiment is the attraction for Saturday evening.  It is timed for 6.30.  Other events will be:-

Sunday – Concerts in Hall Grounds at 2.45 and 7.45 p.m. by the Band of the Leicestershire Regiment.

Monday – Children’s assembly at the Hall, 7.30 p.m.  Singing, presentation of prizes by Mrs. Davies, and address by Ruth Scholes, with Barry Aitken in the chair.  Massed bugle band.  Military band music at 8.30.

Tuesday – Mick air raid incident in College-street, 8 p.m.

Wednesday – Rushden units visit Higham Ferrers, receiving civic welcome at the Tollbar, 7.45.  Inspection by Lt.-General Sir John Brown.  Airmen and Leicestershire Regimental Band will entertain at Sports Field.  U.S.A. band will play for dancing at 8.45.

Thursday – Display arranged by an aerodrome staff, Hall Grounds, 7 p.m., followed by band selections and dancing.

Saturday – N.F.S. display and competitions, Spencer Park, 6 p.m.

  The presence of the Leicestershire Regiment’s musicians from Saturday to Thursday should be a great asset.  Raunds will receive a visit from the band on Tuesday evening.

G.C.’S Daughter

  Rushden’s indicator, giving the daily area totals, has been prepared by Mr. J. White’s staff and will occupy the popular corner position at the old Post Office, where totals will be declared daily at noon by the following: Monday, the Mayor of Higham Ferrers; Tuesday, Jane Copperwheat, aged 4, daughter of Lt. D. A. Copperwheat, G.C., hero of Valetta; Wednesday, the Chairman of Rushden U.D.C.; Thursday an officer of the R.A.O.C.; Friday, a boot operative (Mr. W. M. Burgess); Saturday, July 1^st, an officer of the R.A.F.; Monday, July 3^rd, Mr. John White.

  Speakers will visit the cinemas on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  The G.T.C. will sell emblems on behalf of war charities, and Nursing Cadets will sell stamps for affixing to a large red cross.  The school-children have taken part in several competitions and have designed posters for the campaign.  A prize for the best suggestion for a total indicator has been awarded to Mrs. W. H. Elliott, but no award was made in the campaign song contest, entries being insufficient.

Army Exhibition

  Each day (from Saturday to Saturday inclusive) an official “Before the Battle” exhibition will be open at the Drill Hall, Victoria-road, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.  It deals with Army life at the front and behind the front previous to battle.

  A number of attractive illuminated screens with coloured photographs showing various phases of Army life and conditions are the main feature of the display.  Branches of Army activity shown include Transport, Signals, Armour, Artillery, Pay Corps, Sappers, Radio, Reconnaissance, Air Transport, Welfare, Parachutes, A.T.S., and Medical Services.  Exhibits of actual weapons and equipment used by our Army to-day include mortars, ‘phone and radio sets, medical supplies, and soldiers’ clothing for different climates and conditions.  One of the most unusual and interesting exhibits is the “Wellbike,” a miniature, folding motor-cycle used by parachute troops when they land.

  Those who visit the exhibition will be able to get a comprehensive idea of the story of the British Army and of the immense variety of weapons, equipment and activity that modern battles require.  In addition to exhibits mentioned the following will also demonstrate to the war savers of Britain how their money helps our unrivalled troops with the latest and most efficient materials “to finish the job.”  Portable radio sets, mobile telephone exchange, loud-speaking telephone, mines exploder, polar and tropical outfits, Tommy cooker, and blood transfusion outfit.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 30^th June, 1944, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Rushden Area Swamping - “Salute Week” Target
£167,924 Subscribed in First Four Days - Lord Luke’s Tribute to The Army 

Lord Luke takes the salute With him are (l-r): Mr E J Rowlett, J.P. (Mayor of Higham), Dr R W Davies (Chairman of Rushden Urban Council), and Coun. O Gates J.P. (Chairman of Raunds Urban Council. Behind Lord Luke is Major R K Green (8th Bn. Home Guard)

  After making the opening speech at Rushden Hall Grounds on Saturday afternoon, Lord Luke, in uniform of a temporary Lt.-Col. of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment took the salute of hundreds of men and women of the military Civil Defence services, with the local people’s organisations marching in their wake.

The next part of the article is unreadable.

“We Are Inspired”

  Welcoming Lord Luke, the Chairman observed that he was well-known for his religious, social and philanthropic activities, not least of them his work for hospitals.

  “I feel sure this is going to be a wonderful week for Rushden, Higham Ferrers and Raunds,” said Dr. Davies.  “Now that the second front has started our men are making untold sacrifice in what we hope may be the last phase of the war.  We are more than ever inspired to do our utmost.”

  The Chairman then read two telegrams.

  From Sir James Grigg, Secretary of State for War: “You will be proud as I am in these stirring days to demonstrate our confidence and pride in our valiant armies by supporting the Salute the Soldier Campaign.  I am sure that the result of Rushden and District Week will be a salute worthy of the soldier.”

  From Sir John Anderson, Chancellor of the Exchequer: “Now is the time to support our fighting armies with all we have.  I wish all success to your Salute the Soldier Week.”

Tending The Wounded

  The area, said Lord Luke, aimed to provide the Army with three base hospitals and a medical unit, and he could think of no better object.  He had been amazed to hear of the wonderful arrangements which had been made for the reception and treatment of the wounded.  No equipment could be too good.

  As a result of War Weapons Week – the first of their four savings campaigns – they had seen a great number and variety of weapons forthcoming for the Forces.  Warships Week was held next, and they knew of some of the wonderful things the Navy had done.  The most recent action of the navy was during the invasion, and even the Germans themselves had paid tribute to the Navy’s power.

  Last year they had Wings for Victory and they had since seen the results of strategic bombing: the Air Force had literally changed the face of the earth and had given air support on all fronts which was quite unprecedented.

After Dunkirk

  The soldier might be the last on the list, but he was certainly not least.  They had in fact been saluting him for some time.  They saluted him at Dunkirk when he was up against it, and they saw then the birth of the Home Guard, who deserved a salute for their four years of untiring service.

  They were at one time with their backs to the wall in Egypt, and he hoped they would never forget what they owed to the men who held the fort then, and to the gallant army which began at El Alamein an advance which had never stopped.

  “We have a very different picture now from the days that are behind us.  We have had a lesson what equipment and man-power can do, and we have taken our lesson like men.  We have also had a lesson in the value of combined service and we have the perfect team for attack.

  “We have learned the lesson of inter-Allied co-operation, and I would like to pay my tribute to our gallant allies in the Americans and on your behalf welcome here the officers who represent them.  (Applause).  I think we may call it a perfect partnership.

The Return Match

  “We see our soldiers trained and equipped as never before, and we are – if I may take a rather peaceful parallel – playing the return match now, and we have a different pitch, a wicket of our own choosing, a new ball and better bats.

  “Some of the same men are in it, but it is a vastly different and stronger team.  They know their business, and they are going to it.  They have got their eye in and are making runs, and we pray God they are going to make a terrific score.”

  The personal quality of the soldier was, after all, the final test.  In their heroism, self-sacrifice and endurance the quality of the British soldiers had been proved beyond all doubt, and the Germans were being taught a lesson that they must not be allowed to forget for generations.

  “We lend our money because we have confidence in our country,” added Lord Luke.  “We show our men what we think of them by our efforts here at home, and we make sure that they have everything they need for battle.  They in turn look to us, and they see that we are solidly behind them.  If you get your target and anything above it that you can, they will say to themselves, ‘All is well with the home front.’”

  Lady Luke and Mrs. Davies received flowers from two Nursing Cadets, Mary Moore, of Higham Ferrers, and Betty Helsdown, of Rushden.

Spick and Span members of Rushden & Higham Nursing Division give a smart "Eyes Right" in the parade

  The Mayor of Higham Ferrers proposed thanks to Lord Luke and urged: “Let us smash our target as surely as the boys are smashing theirs in the front line.”

  Coun. Gates seconded and declared that Raunds would go all out, adding: “Whatever we do, we can never repay our relatives and friends for the sacrifices they have made and are making.  We are always thinking of them, but to-day and next week we have an opportunity of showing our appreciation in a more concrete form.”

“Notes Rolling In”

  Cheers for the Chairman and visitors were given at the call of Coun. Capon, who announced that at the Savings Centre pound notes and cheques were “rolling in like marbles.”  He had been notified by telephone of an investment “amounting to thousands,” and there would be £2,000 from a company in which Lord Luke was interested.

  The visitors, committee members and others were entertained to tea in a marquee with Mr. and Mrs. White – who were accompanied by their daughters, Mrs. J. L. Wilson and Miss Jacqueline White – as host and hostess.

  Proposing thanks for the hospitality, Mr. Sharwood said that no one but Mr. White was considered for the chairmanship of the campaign.  He also praised Mr. White’s leadership of the Boot Manufacturers’ Association.

  Mr. Colton, seconding, said Mr. White was a man of dynamic personality, and if a thing was to be done he got it done.

  “I do not think this campaign could have been launched at a more auspicious time, in view of the news we are getting,” said Mr. White in reply, “neither do I think we could have chosen a more appropriate title.  It is not just a matter of reaching the target, but of by how much we are going to exceed it.”

Music and Tanks

  In the evening there was a very large gathering in the Hall Grounds.  The Band of the Leicestershire Regiment was present, and the other attraction was the display of a medium American Sherman tank and a Valentine tank.  The former was fitted with a 75 millimetre gun and the latter a two-pounder.

  Two soldiers and three members of the A.T.S. were in charge.  The tanks had been brought from Northampton, where they had been on show for the past week, by kind permission of Major Marshall.

  The band gave further concerts at the Hall on Sunday.

Salutations - Interesting Items from the Savings Front

  Early investments for the Rushden Area Salute the Soldier Week included £7,500 by the Rushden and District Electric Supply Co. and £1,000 by Rushden Windmill Club.

  Some of the boot manufacturers are contributing 2s.  6d. towards each certificate taken out by an employee up to a given number and 1s.  6d. per certificate on a further quantity.

  The striking area total indicator installed outside the old Post Office at Rushden was constructed by Mr. John White’s staff, with professional assistance for the painting of the stalwart “Tommy” who prods the rising total with the point of his bayonet.

  Rushden’s Council Chairman, Dr. R. W. Davies, helped Salute the Soldier Week by investing £1,075 in national securities.

  Robinson-road, Rushden, has its own target indicator – designed by Trevor Smith.  Towards the target of £500 the street had subscribed £235 by Saturday evening.

  Spencer-road, Rushden, which passed its savings target on Saturday, has the pictures of its many Service men and girls displayed in a shop window.

  Members of the A.T.S. installed patriotic shop window displays in High-street, Rushden.

  Wharf-road No. 1 District, Higham Ferrers, set itself a target of £100 for Salute the Soldier Week.  Its secretary, Mrs. F. G. Felce, was first caller at the Town Hall savings office on Monday, and handed in £101  5s.  Substantial additions have been made since then.

  Higham Ferrers Earl Fitzwilliam Lodge of Oddfellows has invested £250.

  In support of Salute the Soldier Week, Mr. A. C. A. Colton spoke on Tuesday at the Royal Theatre, Rushden, Mr. A. F. Weale at the Palace, and Mr. E. J. Rowlett, Mayor of Higham Ferrers, at the Ritz.  Speakers on Thursday were Dr. R. W. Davies (Council Chairman) at the Royal Theatre, Mrs. O. A. H. Muxlow at the Palace, and Miss Jacqueline White at the Ritz.

  Since Saturday the Rushden Nursing Cadets have been in charge of a white truck, adorned with Red Cross symbols, on which members of the public have stuck savings stamps to “buy a bandage” for the base hospitals which are to be financed by means of Salute the Soldier Week.  Up to Tuesday evening they had gathered £23.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 7^th July, 1944, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Brilliant Result of “Salute” Week
£302,405 Total Was 70 Per Cent Above Aim

  Rushden area Salute the Soldier Week ended with the brilliant total of £302,405, which was more than 70 per cent above the target figure of £175,000 and represented over £12 per head of the population.

  A remarkable rush of business at the end of the week added nearly £102,000 in two days, and Saturday’s total of £51,883 was the largest of the campaign.

  For the whole period Rushden (target £100,000) alone beat the area target with an investment of £195,037.  Higham Ferrers (target £35,000) subscribed the handsome total of £59,757, and Raunds (target £40,000) reached £47,611, passing its objective by virtue of a last-day spurt which put on £9,777.

  Announcing the final figures at Rushden on Monday, Mr. John White, leader of the campaign, found the crowd in enthusiastic mood.  “This splendid result,” he said, “shows with what admiration, esteem and respect we in this area have saluted the soldier.  It affirms our confidence in these gallant men and our faith, through them in ultimate victory which cannot now be long delayed.”

Small Savers Praised

  Thanking all concerned, Mr. White said the contribution of the small savers appeared all the more wonderful when it was realised that some factories were below half their pre-war strength and all were sadly depleted.  If another savings appeal had to be made he hoped it would be in the form of a victory loan.

  Mr. White also thanked the Press for “wonderful publicity,” and in reference to the cancelled reception at Higham Ferrers said it was hoped to make up for this in the near future.

  Last Friday’s declaration made by Mr. W. M. Burgess as representative of the boot workers, showed that £32,522 invested on Thursday had smashed the £175,000 target, the total then being £200,446.

  Mr. Burgess, a boot operative for 50 years, mentioned that his sons are in the Forces and that 2,400 members of the Rushden Branch Boot Operatives’ Union were serving.

“Paid With Interest”

  On hearing Saturday’s declaration the largest crowd of the week broke into applause when an R.A.F. officer announced that the total had leapt to £250,521.  Friday’s instalment amounting to £50,074.

  Flt.-Lt. H. P. Gambrill claimed that the R.A.F. had paid the public back with interest for its noble response to the Wings Week appeal last year.  “In the same way,” he said, “the Army will pay you back.  Those blokes out in Normandy and Italy are giving their lives – they cannot give more.”

  The area sped towards its magnificent total in the following states:-

  Results of the previous campaigns were:-

Notable Investments

  It became known last Friday that employees of Messrs. John White, Ltd., had invested £25,000, Mr. White £20,000 and the company £10,000.

  Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society subscribed £10,000.

  Rushden Church-street and Alfred-street district, with a target of £600, subscribed £2,316  10s.  The Queen-street total was £1,236.

  In four years Avenue-road (Court Estate) National Savings Group has saved over £4,000, and in Salute Week the takings were £375.  The group has 63 members, with Mr. Macartney as secretary and Mrs. Groome as collector.

  Wharf-road No. 1 district, Higham Ferrers, subscribed £330.

  The L.C.C. evacuee school which is housed in the Boot and Shoe School premises at Rushden contributed no less than £1,846 during the Salute the Soldier Week.  There are 120 scholars, under Mrs. E. M. Constable, and it is believed that the greater part of the money they invested was supplied by their foster-parents.

  Coun. T. W. Cox visited the school on Monday morning and heartily congratulated the scholars and staff.

Emblems and Gifts

  The sale of Salute the Soldier emblems by Rushden G.T.C. cadets raised £77  8s.  3d. for war charities.

  Members of the Rushden St. John Nursing Cadets sold National Savings Stamps to the public for affixing to a truck labelled “Buy a Bandage.”  This resulted in £39  10s. being given to the Treasury.  The truck was loaned by Mr. Robt. Bailey, of Newton-road.