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Red Cross & St John Ambulances in 1916
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Based on extracts from the book "Northamptonshire and the Great War", by W H Holloway
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Mr W H Holloway - awarded the O.B.E. for his work as Organiser of the Prisoners of War Fund
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Early in 1915 the editor of the Northampton Independent magazine, Mr W H Holloway received an appeal for food from some Northampton soldiers who had been captured and imprisoned in Germany. That day parcels were packed and despatched, and so began the great efforts in the county.
It was soon too much for the Independent office and Mr J H Wilson and Mr G H Shepherd took over the packing from Mr Holloway’s office.
A Prisoners of War Fund was established and spread to other towns and villages. Factories and streets made collections and fundraising was soon underway. As fast as funds were raised, so parcels were packed and despatched to prisoners identified as “belonging to Northamptonshire”. By 1916, personal parcels from relatives had been halted after some had been found to contain perishable goods or forbidden items, so the Northamptonshire Parcels Fund was the only way of getting aid to the prisoners.
Over 85,000 parcels of food and clothing were despatched during the war. Shoe manufacturers also sent shoes to the prisoners, and the Northants prisoners worked in the camps to help repair shoes for other prisoners, and also taught other prisoners the craft.
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In Rushden the two Red Cross secretaries Mr C L Bradfield and Mr Oliver Claridge were organising and collecting the funds to send in, and also assisted with the clerical work for the main fund.
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Mr C L Bradfield and Mr Oliver Claridge
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Boot Repairers at Hemmelburg Prison Camp, including men of all
the Allied Armies who were trained by Prisoners of the
Northamptonshire Regiment
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Rushden Echo, 14th July 1916, transcribed by Kay Collins
The Rifle Band gave a very fine programme in Spencer Park on Sunday afternoon in aid of the Northamptonshire Prisoners of War Fund. A good company assembled and the music was greatly enjoyed. Mr. C. H. Baker conducted. A very effective item on the programme was the one "To the memory of the brave", which includes some well-known hymn tunes appropriate to the piece.
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Rushden Echo, July 20th 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins
The Sum of 30s., raised by Mr. Barker of 42, Oakley-road, Rushden, in aid of the Prisoners of War Fund, has been forwarded to Mr. C. L. Bradfield, the hon. Secretary. Mr. Barker raised the money by the sale of pretty models of Red Cross Ambulance Wagons, etc., made in his spare time.
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Rushden Echo, 1st September 1916, transcribed by Kay Collins
The Sum of £5/5/0 has been sent from the employees’ collection at the C.W.S. boot factory at Rushden to the Northants Prisoners of War Fund. Mr. W. H. Holloway, of Northampton, hon. treasurer of the fund, has written in acknowledgement, stating that the money shall be spent in parcels for the eleven prisoners of war belonging to Rushden, and that cards shall be enclosed in the parcels stating that the recipients are indebted to the Rushden C.W.S. workpeople for the gifts. Mr. W. Durham, of the C.W.S. works, has received a postcard from one of the prisoners, Pte. John Underwood, which reads as follows: "Dear Sir,—It has just come to my knowledge that the parcels I am receiving through the ‘Northampton Independent’ are being paid for by your society, and I must thank you, and also the society, for their kindness towards me. I hope you will please accept my humble way in which I show my gratitude towards you. Again thanking you, sincerely yours, J. Underwood".
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Rushden Echo, 15th September 1916, transcribed by Kay Collins
Rushden Prisoners of War
To the Editor of the Rushden Echo
Dear Sir, I have been asked to try and arrange for some systematic collection in Rushden on behalf of Northamptonshire prisoners of war in Germany. As your readers are aware, there is a “County Fund” for this object, of which Mr W H Holloway, of Northampton, is the hon. Treasurer, but up to now there are several populous places in the county which have made no regular or special contribution to it.
I learn that there are at least 13 or 14 Rushden soldiers at present in prison camps in the enemy country, and I believe that for some time a parcel has been sent weekly to each of them from the headquarters at Northampton. The cost of a parcel is 3s., and all the labour of packing and forwarding is done by voluntary helpers.
Kettering has worked with marked success for this object, and has hitherto kept the list of Rushden prisoner soldiers, as well as that of several of the larges places and many of the smaller villages in the district, and, what is more, has subscribed sufficient to defray the cost of the parcels sent to them, and this in addition to similarly providing for some 34 men of its own town who are also prisoners.
It will, I think, be agreed that we in Rushden should at least collect enough cash to provide for parcels to be sent to our own townsmen, and I believe it is a duty which will be cheerfully taken up.
If any who are willing to help will communicate with me, i shall be pleased, and will, if necessary, endeavour to explain the matter further.
I am,
Yours sincerely,
C L Bradfield
Rushden, Sept. 14th 1916.
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Rushden Echo, 23rd November 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins
Rushden Prisoners of War Relief Fund Committee
An inquiry office will be open at the Urban Council Buildings on Wednesday evenings, commencing Nov 28th, from seven to eight o'clock. The committee will then be pleased to interview relatives or friends, to receive from them information concerning prisoners of war belonging to the town, and assist them as far as possible.
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The Rushden Echo, 7th December 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins
The Committee of the Rushden Prisoners of War Relief Fund would be grateful for contributions from organisers of entertainments, etc., as it now necessary to raise at least £100 per month for the maintenance of prisoners of war belonging to the town. Payments should be sent to either of the hon. Secretaries (Mr C L Bradfield and Mr Oliver Claridge), or to the treasurer (Mr W M Hensman, Capital and Counties Bank, Rushden).
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The Rushden Echo, 14th December 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins
A Flag Day, organised by the local Prisoner of War Committee on behalf of the funds, was held on Saturday, and was very successful, upwards of £35 being raised. Mrs Walter Robinson was responsible for the organisation of the effort, and the various districts which were under her supervision raised the following amounts: No 1 (Mrs Woodward) £7 10s. 5d.; No 2 (Mrs Chambers) £9 19s. 1d.; No 3 (Mrs Dyke) £13 6s.; No 4 (Mrs Perkins) £4 18s. 10d. The receipts were checked by Mr H O Miller and Mr A T Chambers.
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The Rushden Echo, 28th December 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins
Rushden Prisoners of War in Enemy Countries
The Rushden Boot Manufacturers' Association, with the assistance of the Allied Trades, have undertaken to contribute the following monthly subscriptions towards the Rushden Prisoners of War who are now in enemy countries. These subscriptions are paid through the Boot manufacturers' Office on the 25th of each month, and the amounts will be handed over to the Town's Committee on each occasion.
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£
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s
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d
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F Hawkes
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4
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0
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0
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C W Horrell
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2
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0
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0
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Wm Green & Son
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2
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0
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0
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E Claridge & Son
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1
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10
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0
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Bull & Co
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1
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10
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0
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Cunnington Brothers
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1
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10
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0
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J Cave & Sons
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1
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10
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0
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B Denton & Sons
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1
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10
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0
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Eaton & Co
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1
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10
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0
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G Selwood & Co
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1
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10
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0
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Standar Rotary Machine Co
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1
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10
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0
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J Hyde Ltd
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1
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5
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0
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Fred Knight
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1
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5
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0
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F Corby
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1
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1
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0
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Nurrish, Pallett & Co
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1
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1
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0
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Harry Jaques
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1
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1
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0
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W Sargent & Co
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1
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1
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0
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Robinson Brothers
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1
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0
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0
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Premier Boot Co
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1
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0
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0
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Jaques & Clark
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1
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0
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0
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Sanders & Sanders
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1
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0
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0
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W L Duncan
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1
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0
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0
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George Warner
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1
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0
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0
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H E Wilmott & Co
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1
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0
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0
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E Wrighton
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1
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0
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0
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A Sargent & Sons
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1
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0
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0
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P Collisn & Co
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1
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0
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0
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T Robinson & Sons
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1
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0
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0
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William Claridge
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1
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0
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0
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| A Groom & Sons |
1
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0
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0
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B Ladds
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1
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0
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0
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H W Chapman Ltd
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1
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0
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0
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Advance Boot Co
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1
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0
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0
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£
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s
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d
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Knight & Lawrence
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1
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0
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0
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British United Shoe Machinery Co
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1
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0
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0
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Davison & Co
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1
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0
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0
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England, Smith & Co
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1
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0
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0
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Green & Coe
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1
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0
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0
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Joseph Knight
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1
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0
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0
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Coxton Shoe Company
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1
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0
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0
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Lawrence Brothers
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1
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0
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0
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Radburne & Bennett
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1
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0
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0
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Tecnic Boot Co
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1
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0
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0
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Allebone & Sons
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1
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0
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0
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Skeeles & Co
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1
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0
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0
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Allen Boot Co
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1
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0
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0
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W A Patenall & Son
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1
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0
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0
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Harris Brothers
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1
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0
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0
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Jaques & Son Ltd
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1
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0
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0
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Eden & Co
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16
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0
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Hugh Nicholson
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10
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6
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Rushden Heel Co
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10
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0
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Horace Wright
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10
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0
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Charles Sanders
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10
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0
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Ashford & Campion
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10
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0
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Catling & Durham
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10
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0
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Phipps & Son
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10
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0
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Howe & George
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10
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0
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Central Machinery Co
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10
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0
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Rushden Engineering Co
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10
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0
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Alfred Lilley
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10
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0
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S Brightwell
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10
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0
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65
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10
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6
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Subscription : H Ingle & Son
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5
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0
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0
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Total
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£70
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10
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0
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Rushden Echo, 6th September 1918, transcribed by Kay Collins
Rushden Prisoners of War - Success of The Carnival and Fete
Though the balance sheet is not made up, it is now seen that the carnival parade and fete held at Rushden on Saturday, August 24th, in aid of the Rushden Prisoners of War Fund, was as great a success financially as in other ways, and the organisers and workers, one and all, are to be heartily congratulated on the splendid results of their labours.
The arch over the approach to Rushden Hall, bearing the mottos "Success to the Fete" and "God save the King," was well thought out by Mr.Thos. F. B. Newberry, organiser of the flower, vegetable, fur, and feather show. Northamptonshire War Agricultural Committee have allocated three certificates of merit for food production in connection with the vegetable show, and these certificates, which bear the Royal Arms in colours and which are issued under the auspices of the Food Production Department—have been awarded by the judges to Mr. W. Kitchener, of Olney, Mr. F. Taylor, of Irchester, and Mr. A. H. Sartoris, of Rushden Hall.
Among the collectors of revenue at the fete was a large white "Billy" goat with gilded horns. The animal was led about by Mr. "Roddy" Ripley, the eighteen-year-old son of the late Colonel Ripley, who "pushed" his collecting box among the visitors with determined persistence. The goat was the mascot of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and when the regiment went out to the front it was provided with a good home at Rushden Hall, where Mr. Sartoris has kept it ever since.
The World's Fair Committee comprised the following: Messrs. J. Woods, C. Kendall, J. Nunley, A. Trussler, T. Goodwin, D. Baldrey, J. Garley, J. Sprake, T. Smith, G. Barwick, G. Barnett, W. Moore, A. Auger, E. Brown, T. Rice, S. Hullet, and F. Thompson.
Mrs. F. Hawkes gave the Golden Treasure (a half-sovereign), which was won by Miss Margaret Ingle, but Mr. Ingle kindly returned a 10s. note, keeping the coin as a souvenir.
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