The Rushden Echo and Argus, 5th December, 1941, transcribed by Jim Hollis

Boxing Novices Hit Hard
Plenty of Knock-outs in Rushden Competition

Finals of an Army boxing competition for novices were fought in public at Rushden on Thursday evening, a smartly staged show revealing some promising talent and a general keenness which must have impressed all visitors.

Corpl. Taylor won the middle-weight prize against a plucky opponent, Lance-Corporal Reynolds. Reynolds was caught coming in during the second round and took a short count. He was down again from a fierce attack, but struggled up and roused the house by putting Taylor over with swings to the head before the round ended. In the third round Reynolds was twice down from punches to the head, and the second time was the last.

In the semi-finals Trooper Purton and Lance-Corpl. Reynolds were well matched but rather inaccurate and deficient in pace. Corpl. Taylor, against Trooper Wilson, got well in with right swings after good preparation with his left, and a left hook to the ribs finished Wilson in the second round.

In the light heavyweight final Sergt. Kennedy came out of some early rough-stuff and scored tellingly with a real fighting left. He took a tumble in the second round, and then knocked Trooper Jones to pieces in a few seconds.

Trooper Picken was evidently a specialist in the quick short jab to the heart. He put it in like a flash for an early knock-out against Trooper Maskell in the welterweight final, after using it to win his semi-final.

Maskell and Trooper Cooper were ready for anything in their semi-final, and Cooper was doing knee-drill in a wearing second round. Forceful left and right driving gave Picken quick advantage against Trooper Selby, who was down and out from a short right to the body in the second round.

Game of Chance

The heavyweight final between Trooper Doughty and Trooper Goodman looked like a game of chance until Goodman, taking risks against a far-reaching right, went full out with both hands to the head. Both men went on leave, looking for some wind, in the second round. Goodman had opportunities in the third, but his punches had gone flabby, and Doughty kept on his feet. Goodman won with something to spare.

Trooper Yates cooled off after a vicious opening which looked bad for Trooper Larken in the featherweight final. A straight left to the jaw put Larken over in the third round, and Yates, though a spasmodic sort of boxer, held on to win.

Trooper Cullen opened well in the bantam final, getting briskly inside the longer reach of Trooper Darvelle, who beat the air a lot. Darvelle recovered a bit with some body swings, but Cullen was just too smart for him and won clearly on points.

One of the closest finals was in the lightweights, Trooper Broadhead getting the decision against Trooper Henderson. He had improved on his semi-final form, and showed good style, but the blows on both sides were apt to fall on the gloves.

In the semi-finals Trooper Henderson held the initiative against Trooper Rivers, whose neat left was not quite good enough to cope with the other man’s occasional bursts of forcing stuff. Trooper Broadhead eliminated Trooper McAnaulty.

In a middleweight exhibition, Corpl. Hinde, R.A.F., a “Daily Mail” championship winner and sparring partner to Eddie Phillips, made a considerable impression against Marlow, of the Army.

Prizes were presented by the Lieut.-Colonel, who commended the spirit in which the bouts had been fought, and had a special word of praise for Lance-Corpl. Reynolds. The arrangements were supervised by Lieut. Robb, and ring officials were Referee, Capt. Shepherd; judges Lieut. Bistle and Lieut Bates; timekeeper, Lieut. Mayo.

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Rushden Echo & Argus, 12th December 1941 New Canteen - Salvation Army’s Voluntary Service at Rushden A canteen for members of the Services was opened by the Salvation Army at Rushden on Wednesday. The former Airflo Cafe in High-street North has been secured and the staffing will all be done voluntarily by members of the Rushden S.A. Corps.  Adjt. and Mrs. Jewkes are in charge, and all departments of the Corps are represented on the committee of management. Crockery has been borrowed pending the arrival of a quantity which is on order, but Mrs. Jewkes says there is an urgent need of a bread slicing machine. She hopes that if there is one available in the district it will be placed at the disposal of the canteen.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 19th December, 1941, transcribed by Jim Hollis

Men Still Evading National Service
Lieut. Weale’s Criticism at Rushden
Home Guard Supper

There were still men in Rushden who were not facing up to the emergency, declared Lieut. A. F. Weale at a Home Guard supper in the Windmill Club. If they were going to win the war – as he was sure they would – they must have 100 per cent. enthusiasm.

“I shall not be satisfied,” Lieut. Weale added, “until I know that every man in this town who is capable of national service is doing it.”

The supper was for the 19th and 21st Platoons of “E” Company, and Lieut. A. H. Sargent presided.

In proposing “The Services” Flight-Lieut. A. H. Whitton, of the A.T.C., promised full co-operation between the junior airmen and the junior Home Guard section which is to be formed. The Army, he said, was giving a brilliant show in Libya.

Major Sir Rouse Boughton, who replied, said the Navy had had a nasty knock, but there was nothing like an angry British sailor, to say nothing of the Americans, and the Japs were going to know all about it. It was a great satisfaction to the men of the regular Army to know that when they were away they would leave behind them a well-equipped Home Guard.

County’s Best

The chairman proposed “The Commanding Officer,” and Lieut.-Col. V. H. Sykes, in reply, said he was hoping to produce the best battalion in the county – one to which they would be proud to belong.

Proposing a toast to the 19th and 21st Platoons, Lieut. A. J. Sturgess recalled the time when not a man boasted a cap and when the only thing they had to defend themselves with was the armband they wore.

Lieut. H. Clayton proposed “The Visitors” and Lieut. W. Edwards responded. The chairman thanked the caterers, club and entertainers, and Mr. A. E. Haddon, president of the Windmill Club, spoke in acknowledgment.

The principal artistes, Mr. C. Bunning (vocalist) Mr. Tom White (concertina), and Mr. Archie Tear (conjuror), were assisted by members of the Home Guard. Sergt. F. Robinson acted as M.C., and the general arrangements were made by D.R. A. J. H. Shortland and a committee.