Cobbling in Prison Camp - Rushden Private Sends Home a Picture
Writing from a prisoner-of-war camp in Germany, Stalag XXA 3 A, a Rushden soldier, Pte. Thomas J. King, sends a photograph of himself (seated right) and four companions taken after a spell of six hours' cobbling.

In his letter dated August 29th, he says: "I have, since July last year, been a cobbler and have learnt it from A to Z, and even gone as far as making boots. I should be all right when I get home."

He does not give the addresses of the other men, but their names are Cpl. Uren, Cpl. Timms, Cpl. Whitney, and Pte. Websell.

Pte. King is the second son of Mr. and Mrs. W. King, of 15, Trafford-road, Rushden, and joined the Regular Army in 1938.

British soldiers are supposed to smile under any circumstances, and the cheerful-looking group seen in our picture is certainly typical of this spirit. It is a crowd of “tommies” in the German prisoner-of-war camp Stalag XVIII ‘A’ and among them is Driver Albert J. Lewis (26), of 74, Rushden-road, Wymington, who sent the photograph home recently with a letter. He appears on the extreme left of the third row from the front, and there is the possibility that other local “boys” may also be recognised. In the accompanying letter Driver Lewis stated that he had just received his first parcel from home, and was in good health, looking forward to returning soon. A native of Wymington, Driver Lewis served in Greece with the R.A.S.C. He was reported “missing” on April 28th, and it was not until some time later that his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lewis, learned that he was safe. He was formerly employed at Messrs. John White’s Newton-road factory, Rushden.

Many sporting friends of Pte. Douglas (“Duggie”) Mantle, popular full-back for Rushden Town F.C. in the piping days of peace, will be able to spot him on this picture from a prisoners-of-war camp in Germany – he is second from the right on the top row.

In his most recent letter to his parents, at 86, Irchester-road, Rushden, “Duggie” says he is quite well and gets the Red Cross parcels regularly each week. Serving in the R.A.O.C., he was taken prisoner in Crete on June 1, 1941.

K.K.R. Captives in Germany

Taken in Stalag VII A. Germany, a group of Kings Royal Riflemen once stationed in this district. It was sent to Mrs. F. Heaton, of 97, Irchester-road, Rushden, whose husband, Charles Heaton, is seen in light trousers in the front row.

Rushden Brothers in Captivity - One Taken By Germans and One By Italians
When his brother was captured in Greece, Driver Peter James Neal, R.A.S.C., of Rushden, then 18, declared “Now he’s a prisoner, I’m going,” and went off to volunteer. On June 20th, as reported in the “Echo and Argus,” he was listed as “missing,” and now further information has been received saying that he is a prisoner – in the hands of the Italians. His brother Dennis is in German hands.

Driver Neal, now 20, is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Neal, of 11, St. Peter’s-avenue, Rushden. As a boy he attended the Higham Ferrers Council School and from there gained a place at Wellingborough Grammar School, afterwards working for Messrs. Jaques and Clark, boot manufacturers. He left England for the Middle East last January and the last letter received from him was dated June 17.

Dennis writes frequently from Germany and told his parents recently that although he had to work hard and long on farms he was very fit and cheerful.

Driver Neal’s eldest brother is also serving in the Army, but is still stationed in England.

C.S.M. Who Fought in France - Ex-Rushden Constable Taken By Italians
A former popular member of the Northamptonshire County Constabulary who was stationed at Rushden and had many friends throughout the district, C.S.M. Stanley Richard Kilmister, who was reported “missing” on June 20, is now stated to be a prisoner of war in Italian hands. His wife, who lives at 6, Fletcher-road, Rushden, received the good news on Saturday.

Sergt.-Major Kilmister, who is aged 30, served for four years in the Grenadier Guards and did five years’ police service, most of it in Northamptonshire. When he rejoined the Army he was drafted into the Military Police and was attached to the Guards Brigade. He saw considerable service and took part in the last rear-guard action in France.

A Bristol man, he is a keen sportsman and was one of the leading players in the County Police football team. He also took an interest in boxing.

Well Treated - Wounded Rushden Gunner’s Message from Italy

Mr. Harry Knight, boot manufacturer, of 39, Grove-road, Rushden, on Monday received the following message, broadcast from the Vatican, Rome, from his son, Gunner W. C. K. Knight:-

“Wounded and now convalescent in an Italian military hospital, receiving good treatment and every attention. Send love and best wishes to family, relatives and friends.”

News that Gunner Knight had been wounded and taken prisoner was received a few weeks ago.

Gunner Eric Holyoak

Lance-Cpl. Shatford

Captured By Italians - Fresh News of Two Rushden Gunners

Previously reported missing in fighting in the Middle East in June, Gunner Eric Horace Holyoak, second son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Holyoak, of 38, Oval-road, Rushden, is now officially reported a prisoner-of-war in Italian hands.

Gunner Holyoak, who joined up in March, 1941, sailed for the Middle East in February on his 21st birthday. He was previously employed by Messrs. Sanders and Sanders, Ltd., of Rushden. A keen darts player, he is a member of the Town Band Club.

His elder brother, William, is also serving abroad.

One of two brothers serving in the Middle East, Lance-Corporal Arthur Shatford, who was reported missing in June, is now known to be a prisoner-of-war in Italian hands. A tank gunner in the Royal Tank Corps, he is the son of Mrs. and the late Mr. J. A. Shatford, of 34, Allen-road, Rushden. His brother, Sgt. C. Shatford, is serving with the R.A.S.C.

Lance-Corpl.Shatford, who is 22 years of age, had been in the Middle East for two years, and prior to joining the Army in February 1940, was employed for two years in the lasting department of Messrs. Bignells, Ltd.

He was educated at Newton-road Council Schools and was a member of the Athletic Club.

Good Tidings - Missing Rushden Soldier is a Prisoner
Recent news that Pte. E A Short, of Rushden, had been "missing" in the Middle East theatre since November has now been followed by an official notification that he is at the Stalag XIA, Germany, as a prisoner of war.

Pte. Short is the 26-years-old second son of Mrs R and the late Mr F F Short, of 96, Wellingborough-road, Rushden. Formerly employed at the C.W.S. boot factory, he joined the Northamptonshire Regiment four years ago and went overseas last autumn.

News of Missing Rushden Flyer - Known to be Prisoner in Germany
Flying Officer Jack Raymond Upton, R.A.F., failed to return from flying operations at the beginning of the year. His mother, Mrs H Upton, a widow residing at 18 Irchester-road, now knows from official sources that he is a prisoner in Germany, but no details are yet available. Flying Officer Upton is 22 years of age and before joining the R.A.F. in 1941 was in the County Council office at Northampton. He is an old boy of Wellingborough Grammar School and a former teacher at St Mary’s Church Sunday School. His younger brother is serving with the Fleet Air Arm.

Rushden Guardsman may be a Prisoner
Guardsman Jack C Sanders, of Rushden, who has been serving in the Central Mediterranean, has been report "missing, believe wounded," but additional information gives hope that he may be a prisoner of war. Third son of Mr and Mrs F L Sanders, of 111, Newton-road, Rushden, he is known to many as a former Adult School footballer and billiards match player.

Aged 23, Guardsman Sanders attended Newton-road School and afterwards worked for the United Counties Omnibus Co., by whom his father is employed as a conductor. Joining the Army in April 1940, he went abroad about 12 months ago. One of his brothers is in the Northamptonshire Regiment.

Taken Prisoner - Rushden Soldier Writes Home from Germany
Listed as "missing" several weeks ago, Pte Hugh Spavins Warburton, aged 19, third son of Mr and Mrs J Warburton, of 63, Little-street, Rushden, has now written to his parents from a prisoner of war camp in Germany. His letter arrived on Tuesday and announced that he is quite well, but very eager to obtain some cigarettes.

Pte Warburton attended the South End School and afterwards worked as a gardener for Mr Walter Tarry, Bedford-road. He joined the Northamptonshire Regt. in March 1943, and went out to the Mediterranean theatre of war last October. One of his brothers, Sgt Arthur Warburton, is in Italy, and another, L.A.C. Jack Warburton, serves in the Middle East.

Prisoner of Japs—Mr and Mrs H Dickens, of 28 Oval-road, have received a postcard from their son Dvr. Herbert Fisher Dickens, who is a prisoner of the Japs in Thailand. The message conveys the news that his health is excellent, and he is working for pay. His parents last heard from him in December last, when they received two postcards.

Note: the pictures with this item did not copy well enough to reproduce here

Rushden men’s Message – First News for Years
The first news for two-and-a-half years has come from L/Bdr R C Dix, R.A., to his wife Mrs E M Dix, of 32 Highfield-road, Rushden, and this is one of the usual printed postcards with the appropriate sentences conveying the news that he is in excellent health and is in a Japanese internment camp in Thailand. He is apparently working “for pay” and he sends his greetings to his two children (a boy and a girl).

L/Bdr Dix, who worked in Messrs Whitworth’s mill at Wellingborough, was a reservist in the R.A. and had about three months’ service to do to complete his term when war broke out. Actually on military duty at the time of the outbreak, Mr Dix, in the words of his wife, was “in France in a few hours.” He came back in the retreat from Dunkirk and later was sent to the Far East. On February 15th 1942, Mrs Dix was informed that he was reported missing. The next news came this week.

Rushden Baker Prisoner

Missing since the fall of Java, Pte Dick Britten, of a Light Anti-Tank Regiment........
[the rest of this item is enclosed in the binding of the volume]

is now
be a prisoner of the Japanese
Ha
of Gr
Rushden
former
Monday
card
him
youngest
in ex
and to all
Pte
28 years and before joining the army
his father in the bakery
He went overseas early
This has been the first
since he was officially
“missing”.

Enemy radio…
Flying Officer Geoffrey Skinner
RAF, younger son of Mr H Skinner, of 2 High
Rushden
Captured by
in Java, in January
a postcard to his
conveys the news that
health and hopes that
are the same
F/O Skinner has
one postcard home
last January and the
broadcast a message
May of this year.