| 2nd January, 1942
Rushden War Effort Increases
Town and District Prepared for Tasks of 1942
What Leaders and Representatives Are Thinking To-Day
“To be usefully occupied is to be happy” is the New Year message of Lord Trent as Regional Commissioner. Rushden and district are busy, and the residents who write this page of messages are “usefully occupied” in some branch of war work or social service.
All contributors see the need for supreme efforts and a new height of sacrifice, but beyond the struggle is a goal which can and must be reached. The united call is for nineteen-fortitude – a new burst of spirit and action to open-up for the final sweep against the guilty elements which have darkened the world for a dozen years.
FAITH IN Rushden. – From the chairman of the Urban Council.
Many thanks for your kind invitation to me to offer to the townspeople of Rushden my hearty good wishes for a prosperous, happy and victorious 1942.
We live in extremely difficult times, but if hard and loyal service at home and in the Forces, the wide and generous use of money, good hospitality and strength of spirit can qualify a town and its people for a “Well done !” in time of war, then I am proud to be the Chief Citizen of Rushden at this juncture. It seems to me that Rushden has played a highly creditable part in all such ways.
It will be understood that the successful development of the A.T.C., the re-organisation of the Fire Guard, and the launching of a general youth organisation, all occurring within my own term of leadership, have given me special gratification. As the year turns there is a march of young womanhood to the auxiliary Services and various duties of national importance. One cannot stand unmoved amid such scenes.
Can still more be done in 1942? The calls are mounting up – aid to Russia, the great Warship Week, industrial, social and personal sacrifices, Civil Defence replacements, and new standards of general and individual economy. I believe that Rushden has sufficient wisdom, goodwill and courage to meet them all.
In the name of the town I would offer true sympathy to those who in 1941 had to face the hardest realities of war. The brave spirit exemplified in these cases suggests to me that we shall not fail to perfect a victorious armoury this year.
T. W. COX.
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BRIGHTEN OUR HEARTS. – From the Mayor of Higham Ferrers.
I consider it an honour and privilege to be asked to give a New Year’s Message to the people of the Ancient Borough of Higham Ferrers.
To all the “boys” and “girls” of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, I wish a safe and speedy return.
We have not been able to ring the seasonal joy bells this Christmas, but, looking back through 1941, I am sure that we have good reason to believe that better times are to come for everyone.
Let us all, in the New Year, brighten our hearts and make it our desire, above all, to help others.
J. W. BARKER
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LIGHT OF DAWN. – From an Officer of the Royal Navy.
Through more than two years of war the Lamp of Freedom has burned in these islands; its light has shone into the outer darkness, and towards it have turned the faces of the subjugated peoples of Europe. In times of triumph and of disaster the flame has neither failed nor flickered.
We have, in the past, stood alone in the conflict, but have not faltered. Now we are no longer alone, but side by side with our allies, the United States of America, Russia and China, together with contingents of many nations temporarily trodden beneath the jackboot of the Hun.
Our armed forces, once comparatively small, have grown; where once stood one man, now hundreds stand. Tanks thunder down our highways, not singly, but in an endless stream; our aircraft have increased many times in number; and where once sailed a single ship under the White Ensign, now sails a flotilla.
To-day, at the beginning of the New Year, the light that is the reward of our labours heralds the dawn of the day of our victory. How soon the day will come depends upon our individual efforts – the striving of each man and woman.
There are still those who do not realise, to reiterate what I said two years ago, the danger of complacency. There are still those who underestimate the forces of evil that we are fighting, and those who do not appreciate the danger in which we stood, and still stand.
Let every man and every woman at the beginning of this New Year resolve that it shall not be for lack or want of effort on his or her part that the day of victory be delayed.
G. A. WEALE, Lt. R.N.V.R.
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SMALL JOBS COUNT. – From the W.V.S. Centre Organiser.
On the threshold of this, the third “New Year” of the war, may I express my gratitude to all Rushden W.V.S. members for their loyal co-operation in the past, and my faith in their ability and willingness to deal adequately with all the demands the future may bring, however unfamiliar and arduous they may be.
During the past year, as we have seen some of our younger members leave us, to join the various Services, sometimes we older ones have been tempted to think that the jobs left for us to do are very hum-drum and of little account; but let us draw inspiration and encouragement from the fact that over a million other women are working side by side with us in the W.V.S., “the greatest army of unpaid workers the world has ever seen.”
Let our New Year resolution be to give of our best, however great or small the tasks that are set us, ever strengthening our ranks and extending our activities, then when victory comes we may feel that we have had some small share in helping to bring back freedom and joy to mankind.
ALICE U. MUXLOW.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. – From the A.R.P. Officer.
1941 is passing and leaving Rushden without suffering any loss through enemy air activity. Itself a comforting thought and one for which we should be duly grateful, but very dangerous if it leads us to think that any efforts or vigilance may be relaxed for one instant. We have a relentless and hard fighting foe to beat, and nothing is so certain as that he will not go down without another bitter attack upon the civilian population, in which Rushden may again unhappily be involved.
Unfortunately many of our most efficient and highly trained Civil Defence Volunteers, who have been with us since the Munich crisis made war a probability, are now either in H.M. Forces or likely to go in the early part of 1942. To them I give my best thanks for their splendid service and my best wishes for the future. Others must, however, be found to fill these vacancies, and I hope that older men will come forward to train and fit themselves into the vital A.R.P. services. Remember you cannot “do your bit” when the opportunity occurs if you are not efficient. If you will send your name and address to me at 8, Purvis-road, I will see that your training is arranged.
To those who are in A.R.P. I give my best thanks for all you have done and in anticipation of all you will do. May your watchword for 1942 be “Efficiency first.”
J. MARSHALL BAILEY.
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THE STRONGEST FRONT. – From the Rector of Rushden.
You have again kindly invited me to give a brief New Year’s message to the readers of your paper, and, of course, you want it to be a word of encouragement and hope, even though the world situation is about as black as it has been since the beginning of time.
That being the case I can give my message in one word, “Maranatha,” a New Testament word which means “The Lord cometh.” I won’t go further in interpretation of what that means, or it might become a controversial subject, but in this truth, I believe, lies our hope.
The world is at war, all our material resources have been mobilised and we enter 1942, the New Year, which will probably prove the most momentous in all history. The forces of evil have had a good innings, and some may think they look like winning. If we depended only upon material forces they possibly would; but there is a spiritual front, and there are unlimited resources on this front, still waiting to be mobilised.
So looking forward into the New Year with all its possibilities, I can say to your readers: Be of good cheer; the best is yet to be, and victory is certain on the front which matters for the future of mankind. Let no “reserved occupation” prevent our being mobilised on the spiritual front, and the righteous peace for which we pray will come, for “Maranatha” has a prophetic significance which will see fulfilment – “The Lord cometh.”
EDWIN A. GREEN.
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FIRE SERVICE READY. – From the Fire Station Officer.
To the people of Rushden and district my message is as last year: Look to your fighting gear and keep fire-minded.
We of the Fire Service are ready should the need arise. The water problem which we so long have had to contend with is on the way to being solved.
With the scheme completed, and the new system of reinforcement now in being, I feel sure the Fire Service will not be found wanting.
Fire Guards, be ready.
A.P.TIMPSON.
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WORLD REBUILDERS. – From an evacuee headmaster.
Time Marches On! For the third consecutive Christmas I find myself, with all our evacuees, looking forward to a New Year and all that it holds for us.
Much has happened in the past year, and many families are now closely allied to the war effort, with all its dangers, trials and tribulations. May God’s blessing rest upon the town, and may all be inspired by an abundance of hope and courage to sustain in the darkest hours of danger.
May there be an abundance of health of mind and body for all, and may we all continue to love and encourage little children, for their future is fraught with much uncertainty.
“Just children on their way to school again?
Nay, it is ours to watch a greater thing,
These are the World’s Rebuilders, these must bring
Order to chaos, comforting to pain,
And light in blasted fields new fires of spring.
I wonder if they ever guess, or know,
With what strange tenderness we watch them go?”
WILLIAM E. TAYLOR.
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TASK INCREASING. – From the Serving Men’s Parcels Fund.
The committee of the Rushden Serving Men’s Parcels Fund (British Legion) send New Year’s Greetings to all subscribers and helpers of the fund since the outbreak of war. They have enabled us to send the marvellous sum of £2,300 to the 1,600 serving men and women of Rushden.
The number is increasing daily, the amount required is correspondingly rising, and even greater efforts will have to be made during the coming year.
The Sunday concerts and the dances, although magnificently supported, raise only part of the sum required, and the committee have continuously to think out new schemes for raising money.
Please continue to give your support as generously in the future as in the past, and so let “The Boys and Girls” know that you are still thinking of them.
ERNEST BENNETT (Hon. Sec.).
LESLIE A. MILLER (Hon. Treas.).
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OIL THE MACHINE. – From the Boot Manufacturers’ Association president.
For the New Year, 1942, the boot and shoe industry will be called upon to make still greater sacrifices to help in the national effort to win the war. The staple industry of the town has already made great efforts, but we must key ourselves up, every one of us, to do our bit until final victory is assured.
By now nearly all the shoe factories in Rushden have received notice that their Concentration Schemes have been approved by the Board of Trade, and in consequence have been granted a provisional Nucleus Certificate. This means that the district is taking its part in the definite plans of the Government, viz. in manufacturing its quota of Service footwear and also in making a given quantity of footwear for civilian needs. It is important that the management and labour combined of each factory should do their utmost to maintain the number of pairs allocated to them.
The strictest economy should be exercised in the use of all materials, especially leather, which is likely to be in very short supply. Also we are informed that machine parts will be almost unobtainable, and operatives in consequence should take double care of their machines. It should be remembered that a machine waiting for a part that cannot be obtained may be the means of stopping a factory. Oil properly used and often, should be the motto.
The town in February will be making another great effort in connection with its Warships Week, and already the various committees are making plans for the great event which I sincerely trust will equal all our previous war efforts, which have been so conspicuously successful.
In conclusion may I express the wish to your many readers that 1942 will see us well on the way to victory.
WALTER C. TARRY.
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NO HATRED. – From the secretary of the Ministers’ Fellowship.
I should like to join with others in wishing all your readers a very happy New Year. May it be a “peace”-ful year. The wish and prayer of all of us is that peace may come to this troubled world in the year now opening before us. If in order to achieve it we have to pass through ordeals and trials, let us face them with courage, steadfastness and fortitude, believing in the power of God to help and assist us in all things.
The churches of the town are all doing their part in the struggle in their own particular way, and we maintain that the spiritual front is of great importance. Our prayers and hopes are that righteousness may prevail, that there may be no thoughts of revenge or hatred towards our enemies when the time comes that victory is ours, and that we may tackle the tasks of rebuilding with a clear vision based on the spiritual impetus which alone can come from Him in whom we live and move and have our being.
Let us all “be strong and of good courage.”
F. E. BROMAGE.
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OUT OF THE NIGHT. – From the District Chairman of Methodism.
As I write this message for 1942, I recall a trivial but illuminating experience of mine some years ago. I was travelling on the night express from the West country to London – a very uncomfortable journey, for the night was dark and dirty, with a howling gale sweeping across the track. The going was hard as the huge engines throbbed their way through the darkness and the storm, but, suddenly from the distant edge of the night, there shot a strip of silvery light. That was all, but to a tired, dejected traveller it meant a great deal. The first streak of dawn – and we were rushing to meet it! Before the journey had ended we had emerged from the night and steamed into a new day of glorious sunshine.
So to those harassed by doubt and fear concerning the future (and who among us that is not perplexed?) I would say, Be of good cheer, for out of the hideous night of war the world is rolling onward into light. Give to the winds your fears; have done with wishful thinking. Look steadily and courageously into the darkness and your faith and fortitude will not pass unrewarded. Silently and unexpectedly will come a gleam from somewhere; the harbinger of day, assuring us that the battle clouds will scatter, that tyrannies shall be overthrown, that freedom shall be restored, that justice shall walk freely in the earth again, that Love’s broadening glory is breaking on the world at last.
T. H. JOHNS.
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A HEALTHY INFANT. – From the O.C., Air Training Corps.
I am glad of the opportunity afforded me to express the thanks of the Officers and Cadets of No. 390 (Rushden) Squadron Air Training Corps for the help and encouragement shown to the unit during 1941. The Squadron is still an “infant,” but very strong and healthy, as it should be with all the care and nourishment given to it by its “parent” the Royal Air Force. If as we are warned by our Prime Minister, there comes an invasion of our country in 1942, then I am confident that the youths who leave the Squadron to take their place on active service will be found to be of the same calibre as their elder brothers who saved our island by winning the first Battle of Britain.
The Air Training Corps send their greetings to fellow townspeople and trust that the New Year will mark the turning point and place us on the right road to victory.
A. H. WHITTON. Fl./Lt.
O/C No. 390 (Rushden) Squadron.
Air Training Corps.
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AMBITIOUS YOUTH. – From the chairman of the Youth Service Corps.
One of the outstanding events of 1941 has been the formation of the Rushden Youth Service Corps. It will be common knowledge to all readers that this is part of a great national movement initiated by the Government to interest youth in some kind of service, to make them “citizen conscious” and to seek to develop their character along definite lines.
The scheme appears to me to be one of the boldest most important and far reaching that has ever emanated from Westminster.
That the Rushden committee, thoroughly representative as it is, has caught the spirit is evident. It is definitely laid down in its constitution that every effort shall be made to develop the minds and characters of the youth of the town, appealing to their religious, mental, physical and social instincts.
Groups are already in existence studying English Drama and Literature, also instrumental music. Hiking, cycling and hockey clubs are firmly established, as well as a debating society. Classes for ballroom and folk dancing are being arranged, and a short course of lectures for leaders and potential leaders has been fixed.
The existing youth organisations Brigades, Scouts and Guides, have also been strengthened and new troops formed.
There is a great deal to be done. The Rushden programme is an ambitious one, and on behalf of the committee may I say that no effort will be spared to make the Rushden Youth Service Corps worthy of its name and to uphold the usefulness and dignity of the task to which the Government has set its hand.
W. E. CAPON.
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A.R.P. TO COME. – From the Chief Air Raid Warden.
During the last year many trained Wardens were called to the Services and their places taken by others. So it goes on – change upon change – but A.R.P. remains. Let the same spirit be in all – that of preparedness and of confidence. All cannot have the training of a Warden, but Civil Defence is everybody’s business. Everyone can learn what should be known by all, and this can be done by reading the Ministry of Home Security publication, “Air Raids: What to know – What to do.”
On the Fire Guards much depends, and their responsibility to the town is great. It has been laid down officially that the Wardens and the fire Guards organisations should be interlocked. Apart from any official instruction, it is a matter of common sense that the two branches of Civil Defence which look after our homes and property should be closely knit together. Let us go further and suggest that all in Rushden feel knit together in the common cause of serving our town.
If a message is needed from ‘wardens and Fire Guards, then let it be the prayer of all that in 1942 God grants another interpretation be placed on A.R.P. – A Real Peace.
M. S. BOYD
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CALL TO WOMEN. – From the First Aid Post Commandant.
Once more you have done me the honour of asking me to write a message to the women and girls of Rushden and district. The New Year dawns great with promise. During 1942 we hope, with all our hearts, to see victory for the right.
Since my last message many of my fellow workers have left home and friends to join the forces of the Crown. To them we send our loving greetings.
We have during 1941 been spared the horror we had to look upon during the previous year, and for this we humbly thank God. We have kept alert and ready for action, and we hope to be able to continue to do so during the coming year. If at the end of 1942 we can report steady progress, but no horrors, we shall be truly thankful.
Our first Aid Post and its staff can be relied upon by the people of Rushden to be ready within a few minutes of anything unpleasant happening, and if only the “powers that be” will have mercy upon us and leave us our trained staff, we can carry on.
We hope that the younger girls and older women will come along and offer their services to replace the members who have gone or are going shortly.
To all of you I give the motto “Courage and work.”
WINIFRED M. CLIPSON. S.S.St. J.
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CARING FOR CHILDREN. – From the Boot and Clothing Fund chairman.
One appreciates the privilege your weekly journal provides for extending greeting and good wishes for 1942. The year just ended has brought sadness and sorrow to many homes for which we all have the greatest sympathy. The one hope and prayer is that the year we are entering upon may be less cruel.
As chairman of the Boot and Clothing Committee which was formed during the early days of evacuation I may mention that the object was to see that all children sent to the town, as well as the children of the town whose fathers were serving with H.M. Forces, were adequately clothed and shod. This object has been achieved, and to all who have helped in any way I would like on behalf of the committee to say “Thank you.” I would also like to include all the foster parents who have shown so much interest in the children billeted in their homes.
The work of the committee is still proceeding and will continue so long as there is need. Your interest and support for this worthy bit of work will, I am sure, continue.
B. W. HORRELL.
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OUR FINEST WEAPONS. – From the Branch President, Boot Operatives’ Union.
May I, on behalf of the Higham and Rushden Branch of the Boot Operatives’ Union, wish boot operatives and their friends and families, wherever they may be, all the happiness and good fortune the circumstances of war-time permit.
War’s demands on our membership are increasingly onerous. By the end of November last 1,627 of the members belonging to this branch were serving with the Forces. Others will have gone during December. Naturally, all these are much in our thoughts at this time; for it is upon them and their families that the brunt of war’s evils will fall. That they will be given the will and strength to endure to the end is our confident belief.
It is not too much to hope that 1942 may see the turning point in our fortunes. It may even be that by this time next year victory will be in sight. That victory will come, none of us doubt. Sooner or later that happy day will arrive, then it will be our proud privilege in co-operation with our allies to build a better, kindlier, and more equitable world, a world free from want and fear and aggression. Meantime, we will face our trials with the Englishman’s proverbial cheerfulness and good humour. These are among our finest weapons. The Nazis have nothing like them. Search the photographs of German prisoners of war – you won’t see one smiling. They forgot how long ago.
To boot operatives everywhere, then, good luck and good cheer!
A. C. ALLEN.
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DON’T MISS THE BOAT. – From the secretary of Warship Week.
THE SIGNAL IS “SAVE.”
Heartiest greetings to your readers and yourself for 1942.
The outstanding achievements in the sphere of National Savings in the district during the past year speak volumes in praise of the untiring efforts of both workers and contributors. It is said that virtue is there to-day than the doing of virtue is there to-day than the doing of one’s duty on the financial war front?
The Warship Week to be held in February, 1942, will give to the good people of Rushden, Higham Ferrers and Raunds the finest opportunity yet presented – that is, of welcoming our gallant Navy right on our doorstep, when H.M.S. “Quorn” will weigh anchor and give everyone the special chance of going “nautical.” The signal will be “SAVE.” Make Warship Week a record. Your War Savings will help to give our sailors the ships, the planes, the guns they must have, to bring those vital convoys safely through.
DON’T MISS THE BOAT IN 1942 – YOUR FREEDOM IS SURELY WORTH THE EXTRA EFFORT.
A. MACLEAN
Hon. Secretary Rushden and District War Savings Committee.
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SERVICES RENDERED. – From R.W.N.
When “Taking stock” for 1941,
And totalling our assets for the year
One big, outstanding “credit” meets the eye –
The service of the local volunteer.
It’s safe to say that our beloved town
Would by this time be in a pretty fix
But for the keen, unstinted efforts of
Three thousand zealous folk who work for “nix.”
Think how our Specials labour month by month
Patrolling thirty miles of road and street;
Standing to “last” and “click” throughout the day,
Then to patrol with aching, cornbound feet,
Wardens, again, deserve our grateful thanks,
Always “on tap” whene’er the sirens wail;
Home Guards as well, with undiminished zest,
Train, to defend each homeland hill and dale.
Fire Guards, no longer in their early youth,
Keen A.F.S. men always “standing-by”
Ready to quell the wiles of Fire-bomb Fritz
When there’s a sound of Junkers drawing nigh.
Then, too, the staffs that man the F.A.P.
(Minist’ring angels in their dainty slacks),
And those few girls who work unseen, unsung,
Mending the garments of our youthful “vacs.”
Thus, when the war-time balance-sheet’s complete,
On that glad day when world-wide conflicts cease,
So, with the Forces, will our volunteers
Well earn the longed-for dividends of Peace.
Here’s to the time, in days that lie ahead,
When warplanes, guns and sirens sound no more,
When volunteers will hold re-unions,
Yarning of days of service in the war.
R.W.N.
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A NEW BRITAIN. – From a Pilot of the R.A.F.
Those of us who serve in uniform see ahead of us another year of struggle. Gone now are the days of slothful ease when a bank balance was the measure of a man’s worth. Gone for a long time are the fireside comforts we once knew.
For us this year is the prospect of world-wide, terrible, utter and loathsome slaughter. The sanctity of the family is violated. Father, mother, brother and sister are together in this struggle, but perhaps separated by steaming jungle swamp or gale-ridden ocean. Belts will be drawn tighter, fires grow dim, and cold hardship take the place of warmth and ease. For some, even, 1942 will be the year of supreme sacrifice.
A frightening prospect, you think? Perhaps; but let us realize that only through pain and hardship can new life begin.
If New Year resolutions must be made, then let us all, in the Services and at home, vow that British blood shall not have been shed in vain. From the dust and ashes of the old world, shattered by bombs and bullets, shall arise a new, a beautiful order of sanity, peace and justice.
We who serve do not fight for the old, corrupt order of life we once knew. Our comrades do not give their lives to perpetuate the misery of millions suffering under an evil system where a few lived in splendour on the toil of many.
We fight instead for a new Britain in which there is opportunity for all, but privilege for none – a Britain strong and proud, free from alien influence, and a true “Mother of the Free.”
Let us for ever, during 1942 and always, keep that ideal before our eyes. The alternatives of 1942 are heroism or oblivion. There are no lesser paths in the history of great nations.
Can we, therefore, doubt which path to choose?
R. L. (Sergt. Pilot).
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TIDE WILL TURN. – This came along from the Navy.
Another year has started,
What it holds we cannot tell;
Friends from whom we’re parted
We can but wish them well.
Land and seas may us divide,
But we’ll remember everyone;
There’ll come a turning of the tide,
And this job will soon be done.
Just carry on with the good work
While the Union Jack still waves;
On jobs that count we must not shirk,
For Britons must never be slaves.
Wishing the “Echo and Argus” and its readers peace and happiness in the coming year.
ORD. SEA. J. HELSDOWN
(late of Wymington).
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