Rushden Echo, 27^th April 1917, transcribed by Gill Hollis

A Roll of Honour for Wellingborough-road, Rushden, was unveiled on Saturday afternoon, the dedicatory service being conducted by the Rector (Rev. P. E. Robson), the Vicar (Rev. P. J. Richards), the Rev. C. J. Keeler and the Rev. E. F. Walker. A good crowd was present, mourners in black being noticed, and the service began with the hymn “Fight the good fight.” Mr. Richards then dedicated the roll, and the Rev. E. F. Walker prayed. Brief but inspiring addresses were given by Mr. Robson and Mr. Keeler, and the hymn, “O God, our help in ages past,” was sung with much feeling. The benediction concluded the service. A piano in the house of Mr. J. Sears nearby was used for the music, Miss N. Clayton being the pianist. The roll itself is handsomely constructed, being made by Mr. Swannell, joiner, of Sartoris-road, who did the work freely, charging only the expense of the wood, which is best oak. The collections in the box taken on Saturday alone amounted to £2 12s. The committee of ladies responsible for the arrangements comprised Mrs. Clayton (treasurer), Mrs. Sibley (secretary), Mrs. Banks, Mrs. Caswell, Mrs. Cox, Mrs. Page, Mrs. Reid and Mrs. Stokes. The roll contains the following names on the death list: Arthur Page, Reginald Mole, Francis A. Magee, John Spencer, Asa Rawlins, Walter Laughton, Frank Rawlings and Percy Laughton, there are over 70 on active service.

The 77 boys whose names are on the Wellingborough-road Roll of Honour have each received 2s. this week. One patriotic soldier home on short leave returned his in the box with a message, “To the lads at the front.”

Rushden Echo, 18^th May 1917, transcibed by Gill Hollis

Over 30 letters have been received from the men whose names appear on the Wellingborough-road Roll of Honour, expressing deep gratitude for the gifts sent to them.  Pte. F. Percival, 241702, B Company, writing to thank the committee for a postal order for 2s., says: “I can see we are not forgotten by the people of dear old Rushden.”  Able-Seaman G. Longland writes that the men in the Navy would be only too willing to give their share to the men at the front, and adding that when he is next on leave at home he intends to place the gift sent to him in the same war shrine that it came from, so that someone else shall have it.

Memorial Service at Rushden - The Late Private Ernest Selwood 'Greater Love Hath No Man Than This'
A memorial service for the late Pte Ernest Selwood of the Northamptonshire Regt, who was killed in action and other war victims, of the neighbourhood, was held at the Wellingborough-road war shrine, Rushden, on Sunday last at 1.15 p.m. A large congregation assembled. Hymn sheets were distributed amongst the people gathered together, and hymns extremely appropriate for the occasion and sung with deep emotion, comprised he following: "A few more years shall roll", "Thy will de done" (by request of the relations of the late Pte Selwood), "For all the saints who from their labours rest", and "O God, our help in ages past."

The surplices choir with the Rev P J Richards (Vicar of St Peter's), proceeded from St Peter's Church, the processional hymn "Hark, hark my soul" being sung. The Rev P E Robinson (Rector of St Mary's), there joined the assembly. Owing to other engagements the Revs C J Keeler (Independent Wesleyan) and E F Walker (Congregational) were unable to be present. The service was conducted by the Rev P Richards. After the opening hymn a brief lesson was read from the scriptures.

The Rev P E Robson gave an impressive address on the words "Greater love hath no may than this that lay down his life", and read the manes of those of the district who had made the great sacrifice viz., Ernest Selwood, Arthur Page, Walter Laughton, Percy Laughton, Arthur Ward, Reginald Mole, F A Magee, J Spencer, Asa Rawlins, and Frank Rawlins. The Rev P J Richards also gave an address, the service closing with the first verse of the National Anthem.

Soldiers’ Thanks - Wellingborough-Road District – Appreciation of Gifts
Mrs. Sibley, secretary of the Wellingborough-road Roll of Honour, at Rushden, has received many letters of thanks from the recipients of gifts, the following being extracts from some of the letters:-

Pte. V. Glenn, M.G.C.: It is splendid of the people to think of us as they do. I am expecting to go to the front again shortly.

F. R. Eagles, R.N.A.S.: It was a big surprise to me, and a very pleasing one, too. We are always busy in the Navy.

G. Layram, R.F.C.: It is very good of the people of Rushden to think of us chaps trying to do our little bit.

Pte. C. Baxter, M.G.C.: What a blessing it would be if this terrible war would finish.

Pte. B. Robinson, Bedfordshire Regt.: The 2s. came a very pleasant surprise, as I did not know I had my name on the Roll.

C. Harris: We have had plenty of rain, and it is no fun for us when we are sleeping out. We got flooded out of our “bivvy” the other night, but we take it all in good part.

G. Parker, M.G.C., “Somewhere in France”: I have a photo of the War Shrine with me. I have just finished 17 days in the trenches, but am now out for a rest. I am pleased to say I came through without a scratch.

A. E. Laughton: The 2s. came when I was stony broke, without a smoke or a supper, so I put it to good uses.

Pte. R. Ashford, Northants Regiment: I was in hospital with trench feet when the first 2s. came so the Battalion sent the letter back. I received the 4s. this morning. There are many Rushden fellows with me, and we all came out of the trenches all right.

Lance-Corpl. A. Selwood: I regret I was not able to attend the memorial service for my brother Ernest, who was killed in action at Gaza, but wish to express my thanks to the committee for this publicly recognising the sacrifice he was called to make.

Gunner J. H. Compton and Pte. Percy Neal also send their thanks with many others.

W. Elsden: Please accept my thanks for the third postal order you have sent me. We are doing big things on the front, which I hope will have a great effect in bringing the war to a successful conclusion.

Arthur Gates writes that he and some other Rushden men had a happy meeting outside their billets, and adds: I guess we shall have a happier one if we all get back after this trip. Roll on, Blighty; and I’ll never leave Rushden again! We are having awfully bad weather just now. Things would not be quite as bad if we had only rain to contend with, but with the rain, of course, comes mud, and then!

Walter J. Mole, H.M.S. --: A good English “fag” is a rare thing out in this part of the world, and I am certain that, if you know how much we appreciate the kind thoughts which prompted our neighbours and friends to send us something that shows us we are not forgotten, you would feel more than repaid. Roll on, Blighty, and dear old Rushden.

Pte. R. Ashford: It cheers the boys up when they get anything from England.

Pte. C. Baxter, M.G.C.: We are all looking forward to the time when peace reigns once more, and we are all at home again. The outlook is very black, but we must keep on hoping for the silver lining to the dark cloud. It does seem cruel that such an awful struggle should be allowed to continue.

Gunner J. A. Compton: It is encouraging to know that the townsp[eople of Rushden appreciate what is being done by the lads away from home, especially those who are undergoing such trying experiences abroad.

Pte. J. W. Meadows: We are all looking forward to victory soon, so tell the Rushdenites to cheer up, as we shall all be marching home some day.

George Shorley: I sincerely hope we may soon all find our way back to good old Rushden.

Pte A. E. Laughton (in hospital with a broken foot) writes that he is getting along very well indeed.

Pte. Rattley, T. E. Goodwin, H. A. Ladds, and others also send letters of thanks.

Rushden Echo, 28^th December 1917, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Wellingborough-Road Roll of Honour
Boys at Home and Abroad

Mrs. Sibley, secretary of Wellingborough-road Roll of Honour at Rushden, has received some interesting letters from the recipients of the gifts, from which we take a few extracts:

G. Clayton, R.N.D. Camp: I expect it won’t be long before I shall be sent to the front.  In our hut are about twelve Rushden men.

E. Martin: I can well imagine the work it puts on the committee to gather these funds.

Lance-Corpl. A. C. Selwood mentions that he had 15 months abroad on active service.

Pte. A. Banks: I often hear the other boys say that Rushden people are very kind and thoughtful and they wish they came from the same place.  It makes one feel proud of our little town and its residents.

Pte. E. G. Burdett (France): I think great credit is due to you and your committee.

Gunner W. Fensome: From what I can see and hear the Wellingborough-road Shrine is doing about as good as any in the place.  We are going on as well as can be expected here under the weather conditions, for where you tread now you get up to your neck in mud.

Pte. J. W. Meadows (France): I think we are putting the Germans through it now.

Pte. S. Dickens, T.R.B.: We are having more sport in the huts.  The chaps sleep on bed-boards on trestles, and you have to look out after “lights out,” or somebody will tip the boards up, and roll you out of bed.  You sometime wake up in the morning with a face covered with charcoal, which somebody has put on while you were asleep.  I expect I shall soon be shifted from here, as I have been picked out for a draft.

Pte. J. West: My chums tell me they wish they had such a thoughtful committee in their town.  I think we Rushden boys are most fortunate in that respect.

Letters of thanks were also received from Pte. F. Chattell, Air-Mechanic R. Eagles, Gunner J. Taylor (India), Pte. H. E. Payne (H.M.S.----), Driver Wm. Knight (France), J. Lipscombe (Ireland), Second A.M. G. Lyram, Wm. Chattle (R.N.S.B.R.), Signaller C. Tompkins (H.M.S..----), George Shorley, Second A.M. F. J. M. Stringer, C. Baxter (France).

Rushden Echo, 15^th February 1918

Soldiers’ Thanks – Mrs. Sibley, secretary of the Wellingborough-road Roll of Honour, has received some interesting letters from the soldiers and sailors on the list in acknowledgment of the Christmas gifts, in the form of postal orders.  We append extracts: Pte. A. Harris: “I hope it is the last Christmas out here.”  Pte. W. Elsdon: “We have had a jolly Christmas.”  Driver William Knight, A.S.C., France: “Thanks for the kind thoughts of the Roll of Honour Committee.  When we come home we can look on the people of Rushden with respect.”  F. J. Stringer: “The men are undergoing great hardships at this time of the year, for it is bitterly cold and as much as one can do to keep warm.”  C. Carrington: “I had a very good Christmas out here, and I enjoyed myself all right, but this, I hope, will be the last Christmas I shall see here.  I hope this year will bring peace.”  Pte. W. Lockwood: “May this year see the war over.”  Corpl. B. Brandon, Gloucester Regiment, France: “We are having a short rest now, and getting Christmas Day and also Boxing Day, so we are very fortunate, but it will be a bit of a change for me.  I’ve had four Christmas Days out here, and this is the only one out of the line, so you can guess I shall try and make up for the other three.  In my regiment they have none of these Rolls of Honour.  It makes one feel proud of dear old Rushden and the good people who are doing so much for us.”  Other writers were Pte. F. Percival, Gunner P. Horne, Wilfred Robinson, H. E. Smith, L. Woods, Pte. J. T. Layram, W. Mole (H.M.S…….), and Pte. W. H. Perkins.

Rushden Echo, 19^th April 1918

A Welcome Home tea and social for the men whose names appear of the Wellingborough-road Roll of Honour was held last night in St. Peter’s Institute. The Rev. Ion Carroll (Vicar) presided. About 120 were present. After an excellent meat tea, daning and game took place, music being provided by Miss Todd (pianist) and Miss Rose Holmes’s Mandolin Band.