Aeroplanes in the District - A Rushden Rumour - A Descent at Irthlingborough

Considerable excitement was caused in Rushden on Monday morning when a rumour became prevalent that an aeroplane had alighted on the railway bridge in Washbrook-road. Enquiries established the fact that a biplane had actually passed over the town at about 7.20 a.m., but the aviator was not to be found in Washbrook-road, and persons with an extraordinary stretch of imagination who hastened to the spot were doomed to disappointment. Had they, however, searched a little further afield they would have found the airman, as he had alighted in a field at Irthlingborough, near to Sidegate-lane, belonging to Mr. F. Parsons.

Two other machines also passed over Irthlingborough.

There was no mechanical trouble in regard to the aeroplane that alighted, and it was soon on its way again, following the L. and N.W. line to Northampton. All three machines, which subsequently landed at Brampton, belonging to the Royal Army Corps, were proceeding by air from Montrose to Aldershot.

Rushden and The War

The one topic of conversation in Rushden and Higham this week has, of course, been the fearful war in which Britain, in common with the other Great Powers of Europe, has become involved. Controversial domestic politics are as if they had never been, in view of the life and death struggle in which the nations are now engaged, and for the time being the inhabitants of this, as other districts, are standing together as one man. Up to Tuesday everyone hoped that a way might be found for Britain to preserve its neutrality, but when once the fateful decision had been taken by the Government to support Belgium it was felt that war was inevitable. The declaration of war between Britain and Germany was received here without the least sign of "€œmafficking,"€œ€ the general feeling of the public being one of steady determination to do their part manfully in preserving the independence of the little nationality so close to our eastern shore. There is a quiet confidence that our army and navy will at any rate give a good account of themselves, but any tendency to boastfulness is totally wiped out by the thought, present to every intelligent person, that among those now responding to the call of their country are those who may be saying "€œ€œGood-bye"€œ€ to loved ones for the last time. Many touching scenes have been witnessed as the Territorials and Reservists have entrained for the post of duty, and if there is to be suffering at the front, at least equal sympathy is deserved by those left desolate at home. It is a terrible thought to contemplate that after hundreds of years of civilisation we are still at a stage when differences between nations have to be settled by brute force, but so it is. It behoves those of us who are left at home to see that those who are fighting for home and country may do so with the knowledge that those who are dependent on them are being adequately looked after by the community. We would suggest that the sooner steps are taken to ensure the welfare of Rushden and Higham soldiers'€™ families the better.