The Wellingborough News Friday 29 March 1918, transcribed by Nicky Bates

Rushden Officer Wounded
Second-Lieut Charles H Clark, Trench Mortar Section, R.F.A., son of Mr and Mrs C Clark of "Wellingtonia," Rushden, has been wounded in the great battle, being shot in the left arm by a sniper, and is now in hospital in Reading. Lieut Clark has seen much service. He joined the ranks, and was gazetted early this year. His younger brother has been incapacitated from further service by wounds received in action, and is a present at home. [Younger brother is Tom L Clark - see also Soldiers Notes 16th April 1915 and 21st Sept 1917]

Rushden Footballer Wounded - Lance-Corporal A Bass Badly Hurt
A Comrade’s Sacrifice
Mrs Arthur Bass, 1 Queen’s-terrace, Rushden, has received news that her husband, 89368 Lance-Corpl. A Bass, of the Machine Gun Section, has been badly wounded by shrapnel in the groin, and is now in hospital at Manchester. Lance-Corpl. Bass was in such a precarious condition that it was found necessary to transfuse six ounces of blood from a comrade into his veins, and it was undoubtedly this comrade’s self-sacrifice that saved his life.

The wounded soldier’s injuries were dressed in the trenches by his comrades, who then carried him five miles to the dressing station, by which time Lance-Corpl. Bass was in a state of collapse. It was, we understand, only due to the skill of a very clever surgeon that his leg was saved. He arrived in England last week, and is making as good progress as can be expected.

Lance-Corpl. Bass is well known in Rushden as a footballer, having formerly played for the Rushden Fosse Football Club. He enlisted about 18 months ago, prior to which time he was in the employ of the Tecnic Boot Co. Rushden. When he received his wound he had only been back in Frances three days, having just spent 14 days’ leave in Rushden. He has four other brothers serving with the Colours, two of whom are in France.

Rushden’s Casualty List – Wounded and Gasses In the Great German Offensive
Pte. C Dowsett, Grenadier Guards, husband of Mrs Dowsett, of Sartoris-road, Rushden, has been wounded during the recent German attack, and is now in Blighty and in hospital.

Pte. Jim Bates, Northants Regiment, husband of Mrs Bates, who resides with her mother at 69 Harborough-road, Rushden, has been dangerously wounded in the right arm, and is now in hospital at Rouen. The news was first received by telegram on Tuesday, and it was stated that permission to visit the wounded soldier could not be granted. Pte. Bates, who was home on leave during January last, was then married, and he had only been back at the front about a month when he received his wound. Altogether he has been in France about three years.

Pte. Frank Darnell, 22077, Royal Sussex Regiment, son of Mr Wm. Darnell, of 80 Harborough-road, Rushden, and whose wife resides at 7 Mannings-street, Rushden, has been wounded in the left wrist and also gassed, and he is now in hospital at Rouen. Pte. Darnell, who received his injuries on March 25th, writes: “I got a machine gun bullet through the wrist and I was gassed. It seemed as if every German had got a machine gun; I shall never forget it—millions flying all round me. How I got through it God only knows; there were thousands wounded, and it took three days for our lot to get down to the base. Poor Johnny Bailey got killed on the 21st—shot through the back into his lungs. He was buried with three others. There are not many of us left now.” Pte. Darnell, who enlisted on August 18th, 1917, went to the Western front on December 13th last year. Before enlistment he was in the employ of the Tecnic Boot Company, Rushden.

Pte. Leonard G Jordan, London Regt., son of Mr and Mrs F Jordan, of Northampton, late of Rushden, and nephew of Mr B Vorley, of Rushden, was wounded on March 21st by a bullet through the left shoulder, and is now at Trouville. In a note to Mr Vorley he says he had previously written a letter, but had to leave it in a dug-out and clear off, being lucky to get out of it.

Mrs A Knight, of North-street, Rushden, has received news that her husband, A.B. Arthur G Knight, R.N.D., was gassed on March 13th, and is now in hospital in Leeds, where he is making good progress.

Rushden Soldiers in the Big Fight
Pte Frank Darnell, of the Royal Susses Regt., son of Mr. William Darnell, of 80, Harborough-road, Rushden, has been gassed and wounded in the left wrist, and is in hospital at Rouen. In a letter home he says it seemed as if every German had a machine gun. Pte. Darnell was employed at the Tecnic Boot Co., Rushden, and enlisted in August, 1917, going to France in December.

Pte. C. Dowsett, of Sartoris-road, Rushden, and the Grenadier Guards, has received wounds and is now in hospital in England.

A.B. Arthur G. Knight, R.N.D., of 8, North-street, Rushden, has written to his wife that he was gassed on March 13th, and that he is now in Leeds making, we are glad to learn, a good recovery.

Pte. Jim Bates, Northants Regt., of 69, Harborough-road, Rushden, his wife learns, has received a dangerous wound in the right arm, and is now at Rouen. The gallant soldier has been in France three years, and was home about two months ago on leave, when he married.

Pte. Leonard G. Jordan, nephew of Mr. B. Vorley, of Rushden, and himself late of Rushden, has been shot through the shoulder.

Pte. H. Woods, Northants Regt., of Robert-street, Rushden, is now in England making progress after receiving a wound in the right leg, about a fortnight ago. He has been in France about ten months.

Rushden Stretcher Bearer Wounded in the Big Battle
Lance-Corpl. Percy M Austin, 23048 D Company, - Northants Regiment, has been seriously wounded in the big battle. He is 27 years of age, and is the son of Mr and Mrs William Austin, of 16 Cromwell-road, Rushden. He was hit in the head and leg, and the sight of both eyes has been seriously affected. Before joining the Colours in June 1916, he was employed as foreman at the box factory of Messrs H W Chapman Ltd., Cromwell-road, Rushden. He was associated with the park-road Wesleyan Church Rushden.

Pte. H Woods Hurst in the Leg – In hospital in England
News has been received by Mrs H Woods, of 49 Roberts-street, Rushden, that her husband, 203079 Pte H Woods, Northants Regiment, was wounded in the right leg a week last Wednesday, having only been back from “Blighty” leave about a fortnight. He is now in hospital at Norwich, and making good progress towards recovery. Pte. Woods, whose name is on the Park-road Baptist Roll of Honour, joined the Colours a year ago last January, and has been in France altogether about ten months. Before enlistment he was employed by Mr Joseph Knight, boot manufacturers, Rushden.

Rushden officer Wounded
Lieutenant H H Cowley - In Hospital in London
Mr and Mrs F Cowley, of 28 High-street, Rushden, have been to visit their son, Second-Lieutenant H H Cowley, of the King’s Liverpool Regiment, who was wounded in the left thigh on March 27th, and who is now in the Royal Free Hospital, Gray’s Inn-road, London, W.C.

The first news Mr and Mrs Cowley received was by telegram from the officer himself, who wired that he had been wounded and had arrived in England on his way to London. When Lieut. Cowley’s parents visited him they found him making satisfactory progress, in the best of spirits, and hopeful of getting home in the near future.

Rushden Casualties in the Great Fight
Mr. Vauser Meadows, of 22, Irchester-road, Rushden, has heard that A.B. John Deighton Parker, of the R.N.D., and formerly of 14, Gordon-road, Rushden, has been wounded. He joined up in Spetember, 1917, and had been in France about eleven weeks. Previous to enlistment he was employed at Messrs. James Hyde’s Ltd., Rushden.

Mrs. Willmott, of 57, Harborough-road, has received news that her husband, Pte. Robert Ralph Willmott, Northants Regiment, has been wounded.

Rushden Soldier in Egypt – Meeting with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Mr and Mrs Wm Lingard, of 19 Pratt-road, Rushden, have received news from their son, Sapper E Lingard, Railway Operating Division, to say that he safely landed in Egypt on March 12th. Extracts from his letters are as follow:-

“March 14th—I have got safely to my destination. We must all thank God that I landed safely, as our journey was beset by danger, but your prayers were answered, as I knew they would be. There are some Welsh here.”

“March 15th—I met Fred Willis (of Cromwell-road, Rushden—Ed. R.E.) the other day at dinner—his sister married Will Seamark (of Cromwell-road, Rushden—Ed. R.E.)—he is quite well at present. We had a long stroll and talk together. I shall look for the ‘Rushden Echo’. Ern Baker (of Pratt-road, Rushden—Ed. R.E.) and Rice (Drummer Rice, of Rushden Ed. R.E.) are not far up from where I am”.

“March 17th—I have met several Welsh lads who were at Rushden, and they don’t just half praise dear old Rushden up.”

Sapper Lingard, who joined the Colours last July, was formerly a goods checker for the Midland Railway at Bingley, Yorks. As a lad he passed through the Rushden Wellingboro’-road Mission Sunday School, his father having been for many years leader of the band in connection with that place of worship.

Rushden Victims of the War
Wireless-Operator E B Bailey, R.F.C., son of Inspector Bailey, formerly of Rushden, is suffering from shell wounds in the left hip and in both feet.

Pte. S E Bull, of 41 Crabb-street, Rushden, who is suffering from gunshot wounds in the left thigh and sides, joined up when 16½years of age, and had served 145 days when his parents secured his discharge. He was called up when 18 and went to France when 19. He previously worked for the Midland Railway Company at Wellingborough.

Rushden Casualty List
Mrs S Judd, formerly of Rushden, now of High-street Place, Wellingborough, has received news that her eldest son, Pte Alfred Judd, M.G.C. is missing. In August 1916, he was wounded at the Battle of the Somme and returned to France in the spring of 1917.

Pte. A Forknall

Pte. A Forknall, R.A.M.C., whose wife resided in Albion-place, Rushden, is in hospital in Scotland, suffering from trench fever. He is nearing convalescence, but is still very weak. Just before Christmas he was sent to Italy, but was subsequently transferred to France, where he contracted the illness.

Mrs King, of 29 King’s-road, Rushden, has received official news that her son, Pte. Sydney King, 49026 Northants Regiment, was posted as missing on March 23rd.

Mr and Mrs S Ashford, of 15 Wellingborough-road, Rushden, have received news that their son, Pte. Richard Samuel Ashford, Northants Regiment, is missing. He was 20 years of age. Before joining the Colours he worked for the firm of Ashford & Campion (of which his brother is one of the principals), and subsequently he was in the employ of Messrs Crick and Patenall. He was sent out to France in February last year, and it is announced that he has been missing since March 25th.

Rushden’s Casualty List - Private Jack Britchford
Mrs T. Burfield, of 141, Queen-street, Rushden, received official news on Tuesday that her brother, Pte. Jack Britchford, Northants Regiment, was killed in action on June 8th. The deceased soldier was 36 years of age and had been in France three years, having joined the Colours in October, 1914. He had been three times wounded, two wounds having been sustained this year. Mrs Burfield has four other brothers serving with the Colours, one (Pte. George Britchford) having been a prisoner of war since last March. Her son, Pte. Edgar Burfield, is also serving his country.

Rushden’s Casualty List
Pte. Frank Smith, of the Tank Corps, son of Mr and Mrs H. Smith, of 133, Cromwell-road, Rushden, has written to his parents stating that he has met with a nasty accident whilst on duty in France and is now in hospital at Bradford, Yorks.  He writes under date June 16th: “I expect you are wondering what really is the matter with my foot.  Well, I had a gun that we use in the Tanks fall on my foot and a piece of steel went right through my boot and foot as well, and the gun weighed 6 cwt., so you can tell what it is like dropping on anybody’s foot; there are several small bones broken, and they are taking pieces out every day.”  Pte. Smith, who joined the Colours three years last March, has once previously been wounded, viz., on July 23rd, 1916, and he was “buried” on January 11 the same year.  He was in England twelve months as a result of his wound and returned to France in June last year.  On February 7th this year he came to Blighty again to undergo a course of training for the Tank Corps, and returned to the Western front on May 17th last.  Mr and Mrs Smith have two other sons serving with the Colours, viz., Corpl. Ewart Smith, of the Northants Regiment, and Pte. E. G. Smith, also of the county regiment, who are together in France.

Rushden Casualties
Pte. Herbert Allen, Northants Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Allen of 19 Grove-road, Rushden, has written a card to his parents stating that he is a prisoner of war in Germany and quite well. He was previously reported missing.

Mrs. Taylor, of 99, Cromwell-road, Rushden, has received news from her brother, Pte. J. Clark, Royal Sussex Regiment, to the effect that he is a prisoner of war in Germany. The soldier was previously reported missing.

The Rushden Echo, November 1st, 1918, trancribed by Greville Watson

Rushden’s Casualty List - Private Ralph Dudley
As previously reported in the “Rushden Echo,” Mr and Mrs Dudley’s third son, Pte. Ralph Dudley, Royal Fusiliers, is a prisoner in Germany, and last week they received news that yet another son, Pte. Frank Dudley, Royal Sussex Regiment, has received a slight wound under the right knee cap and was in hospital in France. Since then Mr and Mrs Dudley have received a further letter to say that the latter is now out of hospital and has rejoined his battalion.

Rushden Echo, October 11th, 1918, trancribed by Greville Watson

Rushden’s Casualty List
Mrs Robinson, of 93, Portland-road, Rushden, has been notified by the Red Cross Association that her husband, Leading Seaman S. Robinson, of the Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division, is a prisoner of war in Germany.  Mrs Robinson has also received a postcard from her husband, bearing the postmark Limberg, giving the same information and stating that he is “sound.”  Leading Seaman Robinson has been missing from his unit since August 25th, as previously reported in the “Rushden Echo.”

Rushden Echo, October 11th, 1918, trancribed by Greville Watson

Rushden’s Casualty List
Mr Harry Willis, of 35, Victoria-road, Rushden, has received a letter from Pte. Wm. Chambers (Northants Regiment), of Higham Ferrers, giving the sad news that his eldest son, Pte. Wm. Willis (Northants Regiment) has been killed in action.  The deceased soldier, who has been in France four years, had been four times wounded, and once before it was rumoured that he had been killed, but fortunately this then proved unfounded.  The late Pte. Willis was well known in Rushden as a footballer, playing for the Church Institute Football Club.

Rushden’s Casualty List
Signaller Arthur Timpson, Northants Rgt., husband of Mrs Timpson, of 70 Queen-street, Rushden, has sent a field-card to his wife stating that he has been wounded and admitted into hospital but is going on well. He adds that he is down at the base. Signaller Timpson was formerly in the Northants Yeomanry, and was called up with his regiment in April, 1915, and went to Frances on July 24th, 1916. He was transferred to the infantry in September last year. Before mobilisation he was employed as a finisher by Messrs. John Cave & Sons Ltd., Rushden. He had four more brothers serving their country, viz: Rifleman Harry Timpson, Rifle Brigade, who is a prisoner of war in Germany, having been taken in March this year; Pte. Herbert Timpson, Sick Berth Reserve, who is employed on the Hospital trains in England; Pte. Walter Timpson, Manchester Regt. In Italy; and Pte Albert Timpson, Royal Marines, who is in England.

Rushden’s Casualty List
Mrs. George Adams of 62 Queen-street, Rushden, has received a field-card from her youngest son, Pte. Cecil Adams, Queen’s Royal West Surreys, stating that he has been wounded and admitted into hospital, but that he is going on well. Pte. Adams joined the colours on October 15th, 1917, and went to Frances in Easter Week this year. He was formerly employed by Messrs. Knight and Lawrence boot manufacturers, Rushden. He is only 19 years of age. A card received today states that he is injured by shrapnel in the right foot, and he adds that he is making good progress and hopes soon to be in Blighty.

Rushden’s Casualty List
Mr F. Caswell, housepainter etc., Wellingborough-road, Rushden, whose son, A.B. Reginald Caswell as reported a month ago in the ‘Rushden Echo’ was listed as wounded and missing, has now received from him a card to say he is a prisoner of war in Germany, and suffering from wounds.

Rushden’s Casualty List
(no text with this picture in the newspaper)

Rushden’s Casualty List
Mr. and Mrs. S. Wallis, Bedford-road, Rushden, have received news that their son, Pte. W. J. Wallis, Lancs Fusiliers, has been wounded and is in hospital in England. Pte. Wallis, whose wife resides at Burton Latimer, went to France last January, before which he worked for Messrs. Knight and Lawrence Ltd., boot manufacturers, Rushden. In a letter to his parents he says: “Although I am not a pepper box I look something like one, having two bullets in the upper part of my left leg, one in my left hip, and an explosive one in the lower part of my back, missing the spine by a fraction of an inch. I daresay it seemed a bit funny that I never wrote for some time; you will know the reason later. When one is enduring the hardships out there he wants something to cheer him up; for when one sits in the trench, waiting, thinking any mistake may be the last, a letter takes the strain off better than a good meal”.

Rushden’s Casualty List
Mrs. Elkington, of 29 Duck-street, Rushden, has received news that her son, Pte. Percy Elkington, Northants Regt., was wounded in the thigh by a shell on Sept. 18th. He is now in hospital at Manchester and making satisfactory progress. Pte. Elkington, who was formerly an assistant in the men’s outfitting department of the Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society, enlisted in June this year. He is not yet 19 years of age.

Rushden’s Casualty List
Mr. and Mrs. Groom of 63 Midland-road, Rushden, whose son Pte. William Horace Groom, of the Buffs, has been missing from his regiment since Aug. 16th, have now received a post card from him stating that he is a prisoner of war in Germany and sound.

Rushden’s Casualty List
Signaller H. Hillier, Bedfordshire Regt., who was formerly in the employ of Mr. C. G. Ward, grocer, Rushden, has been wounded in the thigh, and is now in hospital at Huddersfield. He is the son of Mr. W. J. Hillier, of Wollaston. Last October he suffered from the effects of Gas.

Rushden’s Casualty List
Pte. F. Berrill, Warwickshire Regt., son of Mr. & Mrs. F. Berrill, of 53 Moor-road, Rushden and husband of Mrs. Berrill of 52 Sartoris-road, Rushden, is in Duston Hospital suffering from a shell wound in the left shoulder. His mother and wife visited him on Wednesday and found him making satisfactory progress. Pte. Berrill was formerly employed by Messrs. A. Sudborough and Son, boot manufacturers, Higham Ferrers. This is the second time that he has been wounded. Mr. and Mrs. Berrill have one other son serving with the colours, viz: Pte Arthur Berrill, R.A.M.C., who is in Salonica.

Rushden’s Casualty List
Mr. and Mrs. William Margetts, of 130 Queen-street, Rushden, have received a letter from their son Pte. Wm. Harry Leonard Margetts, Royal Berks Regt., stating that he was wounded in the buttock on Oct. 8th, and is now in the County of Middlesex Hospital, Napsbury, St. Albans. Pte. Margetts joined the colours on Feb. 22nd. 1917, at the age of 18 years, and proceeded to the Western front in March this year. Up to the time of joining the Colours he was a clerk in the employ of Messrs. Jaques and Clark, boot manufacturers, Rushden. He was a member of the Young Men’s Bible Class at the Park-road Baptist Sunday school and his name is on the Roll of Honour of the church. Mr. and Mrs. Margetts have another son in France, viz: Sapper Sidney Margetts, R. E., and two sons-in-law also in France.

Tragic loss of Rushden Family
Mr. and Mrs. Rawlins, of 13, Moor-road, Rushden, have suffered very deeply in the war. They have eight children and have lost three, two by war. They have just heard that Rifleman J. T. Rawlins, of the K.R.Rs. is reported missing in the operations of Oct. 3rd. The soldier was not 20 years of age, and he is the fourth son. He joined up with Capt. Stocken before he was 16 years of age, and was discharged for being under age. He re-joined on August 6th, 1917, and went to France the following Easter. He used to work at Messrs. Sanders and Sanders’, and was once a member of the Mission Band. Lance-Corpl. Rawlins, another son, died of wounds in France in August, 1916, and it will be remembered that the eldest son was drowned about five years ago. Another son, now the eldest of eight, is expecting to join up as he has come to military age. Mr. Rawlins is a collector for the Trades Union, and is well known and respected, and much sympathy will be felt for him in his trouble. The missing soldier’s officer writes that he has every reason to believe that Rifleman Rawlins is a prisoner and that he was greatly liked by the men in his platoon.

The Rushden Echo, November 1st, 1918, trancribed by Greville Watson

Rushden’s Casualty List - Private Percy Stanley Waller
Pte. Percy Stanley Waller, North Stafford Regiment, son of Mr and Mrs A. Waller, of 1a, Midland-road, Rushden, is lying in a serious condition from wounds in the right leg and a fractured left arm, in hospital in France. On Friday last his parents received a cablegram summoning them to his bedside, and left England for France immediately. On Tuesday Mr and Mrs Waller wired home that their son was slightly better. Pte. Waller, who is 19 years of age, joined the Colours in March, 1917, and went to France in April this year. He was formerly employed by Mr Davidson, boot manufacturer, Rushden.

Mr W P Orrell, chemist, Rushden, has received a letter from his former assistant, Trooper J L Shoesmith, of the Hussars, stating that he was wounded on October 8th, receiving a bullet wound in the right leg, just below the knee. Trooper Shoesmith is now in the County of Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury, near St Albans. In the course of his letter to Mr Orrell, the injured soldier says: “I was wounded on October 8th, the first day our new push. It is not very serious, though, I am pleased to say—a bullet wound in the right leg just below the knee. It did not go right through, but almost, and I have had it taken out here. Of course, I am still confined to bed as I cannot bear any weight on my leg at present, but I am going on all right, and can assure you I am more than pleased to have got off so lightly. It is quite nice to be back in Blighty once more, and I think, with a bit of luck, and the war finishing within the next month or so, I shall not have to go back again.....

How are things at Rushden? By the way, I met a fellow on the ship (an R.A.M.C. orderly) who used to live at Rushden. His mother still lives there, he informed me—Lovell’s, of Church-street.....

Remember me kindly to all Park-road Wesleyan friends.”

Rushden Echo, 1^st November 1918, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden’s Casualty List
R/697 A.B. Horace Edward Waller, Anson Battalion, R.N.D., son of Mr A E Waller, of 7, Higham-road, Rushden, is officially reported as missing from his unit since Sept. 30^th 1918. His sub-lieutenant, in a letter to Mr Waller says: “I am extremely sorry I can give you no other information than that A.B. H Waller was posted as missing on Sept. 30^th. He may probably be a prisoner in the hands of the enemy.” The missing seaman enlisted on January 29^th 1917, and was drafted to France in the following July. He is 20 years of age.