A Roll of Honour is being presented to the residents of Washbrook-road and Fletcher-road by Mr. T. W. Bailey, and Mrs. Bailey has collected the names of 70 soldiers from the district who have either given their lives in the service of their country or are at the present time serving in His Majesty’s forces. A meeting was held this afternoon in St. Peter’s churchroom for the purpose of forming a committee, and arranging for a site.

Washbrook Road and Fletcher Road – Dedication Service
A Roll of Honour for Washbrook-road, and Fletcher-road was unveiled and dedicated on Saturday afternoon, the service being conducted by the Vicar (Rev. P. J. Richards) and the Rev C. J. Keeler (Independent Wesleyan). After the hymn “O God, our help in ages past,” Mr. Keeler gave an inspiring address. Mr. Richards also made a brief address, and the ceremony concluded with the National Anthem. Mr. Richards unveiled the Roll, which was presented by Mr. W. Bailey, of Washbrook-road.

The Roll follows the usual structure, and is erected on the wall on the front of the house of Mr. W. S. Middleton. The death list contains the names: Walter Bailey, John Cox, John Webster, Alfred Crossley, Joseph Hobbs, Ralph Robinson, Malcolm Magee, and Thomas Robinson; the missing are Laurance Groome and Fred Smith; and there are over 60 names of those on active service.

Rushden’s Soldier Sons – ‘Bobs’ for the Boys - Washbrook-road and Fletcher-road Effort
A further sum of £5. 12s. has been equally divided among the boys whose names appear on the Washbrook-road and Fletcher-road Roll of Honour.

This makes a total distribution of £12. 17s. since the Shrine was dedicated on March 31st.

Many grateful letters of thanks have been received by the secretary (Mrs. Newman), and extracts from a few of them appear below:-

Pte. L. Robinson, writing from Palestine, says: It is very handy indeed out here to get a bit of money sometimes, as we do not get paid very often. I am writing this in the Holy Land close to where Samson lived. I wish you and the War Shrine the best of luck.

S.B.R. A. G. Smith, writing from Chatham says: I am sure your kindness is appreciated, for I think I am voicing the general opinion of all those who are doing their bit when I say it is gratifying to know that although we are out of sight, we are not out of the minds of our friends and neighbours.

Pte. F. Knightley writes from France: I am very thankful for the money you sent me.

Pte. R. Copperwheat: I can assure you the gift was very acceptable. Please thank all knid friends for thinking of us.

Gnr. P. Wilford: While thanking you for the P.O. I feel very proud to have my name on the Roll.

Pte. A. Green, R.A.M.C., writes from France: We are fighting for the right cause and we are sure to win, because those at home are helping by doing their “bit”.,

Pte. W. Jaques writes from France: It might interest you to know that I received the P.O. you so generously sent while we were advancing, and now that we are at rest I shall use it to get a few things I want.

Corpl. H. Barford says: I think the War Shrine is a great honour – not only to the boys still serving, but to those who have fallen. I know Rushden has done splendidly for the boys.

Pte. J. E. Wright, R.A.M.C., writing from France says: I am writing to thank both you and the Committee for what has been forwarded to me. I consider the present movement as the finest thing that can be done towards helping those who are helping their King and Country towards victory.

Lance-Corpl. Tom Bailey writes from Egypt: I wish to thank you and the committee for your kind efforts on behalf of us who have gone from Washbrook-road. I received the P.O. this morning, and I can assure you it will come in quite useful, as I am in hospital, wounded, through our recent scrap at Gaza.

Pte. F. Harris writes from France: I can assure you the money comes in very handy, as it is nothing unusual to be “broke” out here. I see letters in the “Echo” from the boys of other streets in Rushden, and I send my best wishes to all in Rushden who are doing their bit at home by treating the lads in this manner, for all donors to this Fund can guarantee they have put a smile on some Tommy’s face.

Rushden Soldiers at Home and Abroad — In Training, In Action, In Hospital
Mrs Newman, secretary of the Washbrook-road and Fletcher-road Roll of Honour, has received many letters of thanks from the recipients of gifts from the committee. We append a few extracts:-

Pte W Sinfield: I have just come out of the trenches, after having a hot time there. We shall all be glad to see the finish of this terrible war, and I hope it won’t be long now. We are getting some bad weather. You can guess what it is like here, but it is no use grumbling.

Thomas Bailey (in Palestine): It is a comfort to know that there are friends at home waiting to welcome us back to “Blighty”, and doing what they can while we are away. I am living in hopes of returning safe and sound, though we get some good shakings here at the gates of Gaza.

Percy Hart, Reserve Battalion, R.E.: It came in very handy, but what is best is to know that I am one of the very, very fortunate chaps who have so many friends at home to look after them.

Pte H Wilmott (Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot): The help given to the soldiers and various institutions by the people of Rushden has always appealed to me, and it is still more gratifying to know that our Rushden lads whom I have left on the battle-field are not forgotten, and that every respect possible had been paid through the memorial services to the lads who laid down their lives in the struggle. I am pleased to say that my wounds are very slight. The fight has been very severe on the Ypres front, artillery operations being very active. The Germans fired on us from planes in the air, and launched several gas attacks during the advance, but in spite of all this, our lads are still pressing on. I don’t think the time is very far off now when Germany will be forced to submit to some kind of peace terms.

W J King: I thank all the Rushden friends who have given towards the Roll of Honour fund.

Pte H A Coles, with the Suffolks, in France: I have just been reading the “Rushden Echo” and was pleased to see what has been done for the boys, and I know by myself they greatly appreciate it, too. I was fortunate enough to get through my first attack. It was a bit warm, but we made old Fritz run, and I was very sorry that the rain set in, as I think that there would have been still better results.

C Willmott, R H A (Netley): I received the other postal order in German East Africa. We people up there quite lost our heads for remembering anything through the fever and other diseases. Now I am in England once again, and I am just getting my health back.

Lance-Corpl. A Thompson: The sum of 4s seemed a fortune to us infantrymen. I am in what is known as the First-Line Coast defence, and we have been having a lively time here with the air-craft, which have been over here five nights out of seven.

W Jaques: When I was out in France I used to tell my friends about these war shrines, and they used to agree with me that these presents brought us nearer our friends at home. And now I am in dear old Blighty I get another postal order.

Pte F D Harris, Veterinary Hospital B E F: What a great day Rushden must have had on Red Cross fete day. That is a cause which cannot be helped too much. These presents from home all help to keep up the bull-dog breed.

Frank Smith: I am with fellows from other parts of the country, but I never hear they have any such gifts. I am sure the boys from Rushden should be proud of the efforts everyone at home is making for them.

Pte J Pettitt, Northants Regiment, France: We have just come from the trenches, and your gift came as a welcome relief to me. It is not so bad here if the weather would hold good, but it has been rotten this last day or two.

Pte H Fletton: I was glad to see in the “Rushden Echo” of my mother’s success. I think good old Rushden is doing well with the war shrines, as the other boys here don’t seem to get anything.

Gunner R W Reynolds, of the MGC, writes from a Yorkshire military hospital: I think it is one of the best funds in all England.
[and more follows........]

The Committee of the Washbrook-road and Fletcher-road Roll of Honour have sent another sum of 4s. each to 60 of the boys as a Christmas gift.

Washbrook-Road and Fletcher-Road Roll of Honour—(1) Corresponding number competition: First prize, 535; second, 3464; third 1918. After paying expenses the sum of £9 has been realised. (2) Sugar-guessing competition for above: Number of lumps, 111. The sum 10s 3d was realised. All prizes to be claimed within 14 days of Mrs Newman, 109, Washbrook-road, or forfeited.