The Maimed—Men who have lost a leg in the war will be measured for new legs on Saturday at the Victoria Hotel, as announced in our advertisement columns.

Now Demobilised — J. F. Nix, late of the Tank Corps, has now resumed business in watch, clock, and jewellery repairs.— 76, High-street, Rushden.

Two Ex-Servicemen - Messrs. Hodgkins and Cook, have opened a pork butchers shop, 38, High-st South, Rushden (near the bottom of Griffith-st.), with a good display of home-fed pork, pork pies, sausages, lard, and all kinds of cooked meat. You will be well served there.

Returned Soldiers at Rushden - Town Band Club's Welcome
The Rev. Ion Carroll and "Tommy's Language"

The Rushden Town Band Club ex-service members were entertained on Saturday to an excellent hot dinner by the committee of the club. About 130 were present, Mr. H. Roberts (president) presiding, supported by the Rev. Ion Carroll (vicar of St. Peter's), and the committee. The carvers were Messrs. H. Bazeley, Q. Whitworth, W. Neville, and S. Owen. Members of the General Committee carried out the arrangements of catering and waiting at the tables under the supervision of Mr Austin (secretary).

After full justice had been done to the dinner by the guests, the President referred to the sacrifice which the Club had made in the war. Of the 220 members, he said, 100 had seen service, a good many from 1914. Their band had greatly assisted recruiting, and had marched parties to the station. Their choir had also given the "boys" musical treats on many occasions. Members of the Club had also contributed to send parcels to service members, and from the numerous letters it was evident that they had been greatly appreciated. The Committee had put off the dinner a rather long time to ensure that as many as possible should have returned to civil life. They had, he believed, only four members now serving. Mr. Roberts asked those present to stand a moment in silence as a tribute to the "glorious dead." The request was complied with, after which Mr. W. George gave the toast of "The Members Serving." Mr. George said they would be very pleased to see their comrades back again to enjoy some of the freedom of civil life.

Instead of a response by speech the band played very effectively "Tommy Atkins," Mr. E. Whitworth conducting.

The Rev. Ion Carroll proposed the toast of "The Returned Service Members," and in a very humorous speech said he was pleased that the old barriers between parson and man were all but broken down, and that they could meet together and smoke their pipe of peace and drink their glass of beer. Parsons who had been to France were somewhat acclimatised to men's language. There were things in the war that ordinary language would not adequately express —they were so

Damnable and Hellish.

When he was a Chaplain he was always careful never to allow a superior officer to use bad language in his presence, and if the sergeant-major attempted anything of that nature he reprimanded the man, but if an ordinary Tommy were to swear, he never said a word. (Laughter) Now that they were back, he hoped that the formerly excusable grousing would cease and everybody get to work to complete the job they went "out there" for. The men who fought should rule the country they had fought for. The Government had done nothing for them since the Armistice but take 10s. off coal, and now people wanted to know where that 10s. had been going before. The housing problem was scandalous in a country they had risked their lives for. During the war many people had held the reins of government who had no right to do so, but it was a time when they had got to get on with the war, and many mistakes were made. While the boys were fighting, others at home were money-grubbing. People had made great fortunes out of the war, and that money belonged to the men who had served their country in the fighting forces as much as it did to those who held it. He hoped the men now back at home from the war would use their votes to put into Parliament their own direct representatives, and thus govern the country after their own ideas of democratic reform. (Applause) He hoped nations would never again be allowed to enter into such wars as the last one, and that no one man would in future be allowed to hurl millions to death by tearing up a piece of paper. (Applause)

The toast of "The Press" was given by Mr. J. Coleman, and seconded by Mr. G. Norman.

A free and easy concert followed, the artistes bang Mr. R. Cox, of Higham Ferrers, Mr. J. Coleman (tenor) and Mr. H. Partridge (descriptive). Items were also rendered by the Band Club Choir, conducted by Mr. W. Howes. Mr. Reg Clayton was the pianist. The chair was taken by Mr. H. Roberts and Mr. G. Green officiated as vice-chairman.

Rushden Soldiers Welcomed - Working Men's Club Dinner

The Rushden Working Men's Club entertained their ex-fighters to a capital dinner on Nov. 29th, about 200 being present. Mr. W. Turney presided, supported by the Revs. R. C. Law and Ion Carroll

The Chairman cordially welcomed the boys back to civil life. A hundred members had served in the Forces, and another 100 ex-service men had joined the club since the Armistice — not having reached the age for admission before the war. Seventeen members had laid down their lives.

The Rev. R. C. Law (Baptist) said it had given him real pleasure to be there. He was not unmindful of what the nation owed to such as they. The country had yet to secure the things for which the soldiers had fought in order that the world might be emancipated from the very great menace which had threatened the world, and to attain freedom. Although they were ex-service men as regards the fighting forces, they were not ex-service men from the war for right at home. They had still to fight for liberty, by which he meant freedom to do right. That would bring the greatest happiness to the greatest number, He did not ask them to go to any particular church, but be wished to testify to the permanent happiness which would come from what Christ taught in the ... ... ... ... ... ... ... generation to go through what they had done; therefore it was for them to try and make the world what it ought to be, not a series of battlefields, but a great camp of human brotherhood. (Applause)

The Rev. Ion Carroll (Vicar of St Peter's) said it was the greatest compliment to the two parsons to have invited them to a clubman's dinner. It showed the parson had not lost touch with the manhood of the nation. Mr. Law and he were fighting on the same front, each occupying a different sector, but leading in the same direction - to Christ. Speaking on the experience that soldiers had gained in the war, Mr. Carroll said they had cause for pride that they had taken the part they had in standing between their country and hell, because victory for the Germans meant nothing else.

Mr. W. Hinde proposed thanks to Mr, Law and Mr. Carroll for attending that dinner. He was particularly pleased that, amongst the new conditions prevailing since the war, ministers of different denominations were able to meet on a common platform.

Mr. T. V. Jaques seconded, and said it was one of his greatest pleasures to see two ministers of religion on the platform at their club. He was greatly in sympathy with the remarks of Mr. Law on Christianity. Those who lived to following of Christ were netting a beautiful.................

WELCOME HOME—Ex-service men whose names are on the Brookfield-road and Glassbrook-road Roll of Honour, with their friends, to the number of about 200, were entertained last Friday at the Co-operative Hall by the Committee of which Mrs W Tassell is the president and Miss Winnie Tassell the treasurer and secretary, and the members are Mesdames H Bridgment, Harbour, Peacock, Trusler, Sears, Hornsby, Holloway, Dickens and Tarry. They were assisted at the tea tables by Mesdames T Surridge, Bates, Clarke, and Peacock. After tea a cheery speech was made by the Rev Ion Carroll, wishing the boys well on their return home. The programme of the concert was contributed to by the Rev Ion Carroll, Miss E Tompkins, Miss D West, Mr F Hinde, and Mr H Neal. Dancing and games also took place, Mr P Bridgement being the MC. Music was provided by Miss D Todd. At the close thanks were accorded the Committee by Mr H Peacock, Mrs Tassell suitably responding.

Rushden and Higham Ex-Soldiers - Midland Railway Men

Sixty members of the M.R. staff at Rushden and Higham Ferrers were entertained to a dinner and smoking concert at the Waggon and Horses Hotel, Rushden, on Dec. 8th. The function was held to celebrate the return to their various duties of the men who have served with the Colours both at home and overseas. Mr. F. Wilkins catered.

Mr, B. Booth, who presided, proposed "The King." Mr. J. C. Gregory, station master, proposed the toast "Welcome home to the Boys," which was given with much fervour and enthusiasm. In a few well-chosen remarks, Mr. Gregory said that of the staff under his supervision 35 had served the country, and of that number nine men had made the great sacrifice. Of those remaining, happily only one man was rendered incapable of resuming his duties. He felt proud of that record.

Mr. A. F. Weale responded on behalf of the "Boys," and expressed thanks for the hearty welcome extended to them. There was one great lesson the war had taught them. The higher command was always anxious that officers and all in authority should obtain the confidence of all under them. In the service success largely rested upon this confidence being retained. Now they were back in civil life they looked to the future with great hope, and, if only those holding the higher positions in industry could obtain the confidence of the others, national prosperity was assured. With concerted action, all pulling together for the common good, there would be happy times ahead.

Mr. Boyce expressed thanks to those who had remained at home for the splendid manner in which the boys’ interests had been attended to.

Mr. T. Ansell proposed "The Railway Service," Mr. Gregory responding.

A splendid musical programme was given by Messrs. R. Cox, S. Wheatley, G. Morris, Jephcott, F. Wilkins, and E. Keeley.