The Rushden Echo and Argus, 1^st December, 1944

First Ice-Cream For Two Years
Rushden Shop Sells Out in 20 Minutes

  Ice-cream in November has never been so popular as at Rushden last Friday afternoon.

  The first on sale in the town for over two years, it was offered at a Church-street shop in the afternoon, and drew so many eager customers that a long queue formed half an hour before the shop opened.

  Women came on bicycles from all parts of the town.  Children, too, were there in force, and all carried cups, basins or other receptacles.

  The shopkeeper sold out in twenty minutes on a “ration” basis of 8d. a head and then locked the door.  Later she made another gallon, which disappeared in no time.

  Rushden, however, must check its dreams of living in luxury.  This shopkeeper was merely using up her pre-ban stock of ingredients and weeks may elapse before she can warm Rushden hearts with another cold libation.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 22^nd December, 1944

Cards From The Forces

  Christmas cards to the “Echo and Argus” from local men in four zones of war service are hereby acknowledged with cordial thanks and reciprocal greetings.  They were very welcome arrivals.

  Corporal Len Cherry of Midland-road, Rushden, has sent a card from an R.A.F. station in West ------ with “heartiest greetings from an interested reader” and thanks for the news of Home.”

  Corporal Stan Dickens, far away in Paiforce (Persia and Iraq), sends a pictorial airgraph with sincere wishes for a happy Christmas and a reunion with all Rushdenites in the New Year.”  The picture is of a desert oasis with a camel and a few military vehicles cooling down beneath palm trees and among cactus plants.  No longer “the Forgotten Army,” Paiforce submits Peace on Earth among men of Goodwill” as its Christmas message to the friends at home.

  From the West Front comes a gay design incorporating the port of Antwerp and the coastal area of Northern France, Belgium and Holland, with the Kent corner of Britain “out of bounds” across the water.  German prisoners, tanks, a jeep and two Cupids are all in the decorative scheme.  Lieut. W. S. Lee, R.A., is the sender.

  Lce-cpl. C. T. Smith, R.E.M.E., who fought at Anzio, represents the Central Mediterranean Force and sends an airgraph on which a holly border surrounds a map of the Mediterranean area.  Greetings and “lots of good luck” go with this souvenir.

  An unknown correspondent who signs himself “Well Wisher” sends a Royal Artillery greetings card from a remote corner of Britain and adds this message:

  “May the cauld blast of the Orkneys enter and wish you all the compliments of the season.  May I wish the good old “Echo and Argus” a very happy Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year, thanking you for all the good reading and more to come.”

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 22^nd December, 1944

Christmas Candy from U.S.A.

  Cheers ringing through the hall at Rushden Intermediate School on Tuesday morning announced the arrival of Americans with a load of Christmas candy.  The scholars, in full assembly, had just had prayers and listened to the broadcast service.  They gave an almost embarrassing greeting to Sergt. James C. Bryker, of Kearney, New Jersey, Cpl. Robert W. Pelton, of Toledo, Ohio, and Pfs. John F. Geoffino, of Springfield, Mass.

  The three popular visitors represented the nearest American Army unit, whose members had been saving up their candy issue for five weeks so that Rushden children could benefit at Christmas.

Thanking the soldiers for their kindly thought, the headmaster (Mr. S. Howitt) declared: “If I was asked to name one outstanding virtue of the American people, it would be their amazing generosity.  We owe more to the American people than we shall ever be able to repay.”

  “It is not very much that we are able to give,” replied Sergt. Bryker.  “We didn’t know there were so many children in the town.  The spirit is behind it, anyway, and we hope you will enjoy it.”

  For the next few minutes the scholars, in gayest mood, were filing past the big box of candy, each choosing a package.  “Merry Christmas!” called out the sergeant.  “Same to you!” roared the school, and the Yankees retired to a deafening roll of applause.

With The Infants

  At the Tennyson-road School another American “candy team” was welcomed by more than 200 infants up to the age of seven.

  A visit was first made to the nursery in the Highfield Hall, occupied by about 30 children who are from three years and nine months to four years of age.  These children were taken completely by surprise when the Americans strode into the hall with their large box of candy and invited them each to take a package.  They were still looking a little awe-stricken when their benefactors departed, but managed to whisper “Thank you” and Happy Christmas.”

  At the main school each classroom was visited by the four soldiers – Lieut. S. Steffens, of Illinois, Sergt. Wm. Maywald, of Illinois, Cpl. George Pokorny, of Ohio, and P.F.C. Kenneth R. Lebford, of North Carolina.

  Some of the children took the address of their new friends and promised to send letters of thanks – an idea which delighted the Americans, who remained at the school for nearly an hour.

  The same “teams” made further visits on Tuesday afternoon, one going to the Boot and Shoe Evacuee School and the other to South End.  On Wednesday they concluded their tour with visits to Newton-road Mixed, Newton-road Infants, Alfred Street Mixed and Alfred-street Infants.

Santa’s Act

  The Alfred-street infants, with 18 evacuee guests from the Roman Catholic Hall, were particularly fortunate, for at their school on Wednesday afternoon the men with the candy were accompanied by Father Christmas (otherwise Cpl. Arlie Chrisco, of Arkansas), who distributed gift books from red bags that he carried on his back.  In return “Santa Claus” received a present from the scholars.  The children enjoyed songs, games and classroom tea parties during the afternoon.