Rushden Echo, 28th July 1916, transcribed by Kay Collins
Naval Sick Berth Reserve—The authorities on Sunday last applied to the Rushden Corps of the St. John Ambulance Brigade for more men for the Royal Naval Sick Berth Reserve, and the following were decided upon as eligible:-
Ptes. W. Partridge, W. Chattall, F. Chattall, J. W Smith, W. Frisby, C. Boyce, G. Linger, E. Hobbs, A. Drage, H. Maddams, A. Warr, and H. Deighton.
The Rushden Corps have already 44 members on active service. The men mentioned above have all passed the medical examination, with one exception, and they are now awaiting orders.
|
Rushden Echo, Friday 12th October 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins
Rushden Ambulance Worker
Bombardier Alfred Watson Seriously Wounded
We are sorry to report that Mr and Mrs J W Watson, 155 Queen-street, Rushden, have received a letter from the Rev B Booth, C.F., to say that their son, 9786 Bombardier A Watson, S.B.R., has been seriously wounded and is now in the 61st Casualty Clearing Station, France.
The chaplain writes: “Dear Mrs Watson—Your son, Bombardier A Watson, 9786, asks me to tell you that he is in hospital here. I am afraid he is seriously wounded in both legs, but everything possible is being done for him. He sends his love to all. Unless you hear to the contrary he will be sent to a base hospital in a day or two, I do not know which. May God comfort you in your anxiety.”
Bombardier Watson, who was formerly a member of the Rushden Corps of the St John Ambulance Association, was on holiday duty at Chatham Naval Hospital at the outbreak of war, and his services in consequence were retained on the outbreak of hostilities. He remained there two years and five months, and then volunteered to proceed to the Front, going to France early this year. Since then he has been attached as Red Cross attendant to a naval gun team that have been and are operating about five miles behind the front trenches, and it was during the course of these duties that he received his injuries.
Mr and Mrs Watson are anxiously awaiting further news, and will be grateful for any further particulars any of his comrades can send them.
|
Rushden Echo, Friday 19th October 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins
Ambulance Promotions—We have much pleasure in recording the following promotions of Rushden ambulance men who belong to the Royal Naval Sick Berth Reserve. Corpl. J A Bugby to be First-Class Petty Officer; Pte A Smith to be Corporal. F.C.P.-Officer Bugby joined the Reserve in 1914, and has nearly the whole of the time been attached to No. 2 R.N. Ambulance Train, running between the South of England ports and Scotland.
|
