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Transcript © 2003 Hubmaker. All rights reserved.
Reproduction by any means strictly prohibited.
RECTOR'S WEEKLY NEWS
February 4th 1941
My
dear Lads
Two most interesting letters have been sent me this week. This first
came from Hubert Tindsley who is with his Unit of the R.A.M.C. in
Central Africa. I have given a good deal of space to this elsewhere
in this issue, but what pleased me most of all is to find him saying
that he was offering his services to the Christian Church working
amongst the native tribes. Here indeed is the perfect man. Whist
ye not" said our Saviour, "that I must be about my Father's business?"
So wherever he goes the perfect man seeks and performs his Father's
business while still performing his earthly duties. I am quite sure
that in whatever parish you find yourself billeted the clergy would
greatly appreciate your help and assistance. And you would enjoy
it. There are a thousand and one jobs you could do. So make yourself
known to the Clergy and boldly ask for something to do. The second
letter came from Jack Bourn, enclosing two programmes of Bible reading.
They contain a short reading for every day in the month with short
explanations. I am getting some of these and will send one to each
recipient of this letter. Do you know your Bible, the most wonderful
book in the World? Well! here is the chance to get to know it well.
So again I say ask your Chaplain to form a small discussion class,
and ask him questions. You will like it, and it will pass a very
pleasant and instructive evening each week. And your Chaplain will
like it, all Chaplains like to know their men, and often find it
most difficult to do so, unless the desire is mutual.
'With my love and my Blessing,
L.N. FORSE.
Extracts from Letters.
Pte. James Latham writes a very pleasant letter full of gratitude
for his many blessings, and wishes to be remembered to all the lads.
Corpl. Jack Bourn sends the Rector some small Bible reading books
and says that he is now on some very special work about which he
cannot give any details because he must obey Army rules. Corpl.
James Leacy is in a Church of England monastery and says "As billets
go we couldn't get anything better. Plenty of hot water, shower
baths and fine roms to sleep in". Says the rest of the building
is still occupied by students and tutors of the Priory and they
have soon made friends with the students who gave a really good
concert on Sunday night. Adds that he really does appreciate it.
A/C. T.H. Barron, better known as "Bert", says "Nothing ever happens
in this sleepy little village." Having a name and initials common
to many Tarleton lads, says he was surprised to see his name in
last Weeks N.L. as having registered, until he realised it was Bert
Barron of Hesketh Lane who had done so. (When Tom Howard Barron
registers he will have the same surprise). Says his aerodrome is
'so large he has to go three-quarters of a mile from his billet
to the workshops. Wishes to express his sympathy with Ronnie Iddon
on the loss of his mother and send greetings to all the lads. Gdsn.
George Burns says he hopes to be home next week for seven days,
and is so pleased that he writes in red ink to announce the good
news. Says that coming home to Tarleton is coming back to the best
place on earth - with which pious sentiment we all heartily agree.
(Hands up those in favour) . With three boys away in the Army, one
in the African desert, and two boys in the Home Guard, the Burns
family is doing well for their King and Country. Robert Moss, R.A.F.,
has now passed his final exam as a wireless operator and wears his
"Sparks" badge - and sewed it on himself. Says the people where
he is stationed are not too easy to get on with as they are not
very "matey", they like to keep to themselves more than Lancashire
folk. Pte. Ken Ogden (Hoole) has left his Unit for a short time
and is working in a hospital. Has to watch the operations being
done. Says that he has a comfortable bed off the floor, the food
isn't too bad he is free from the army for a few weeks. Does not
say how, why or where he picked up this "cushy" job, but is evidently
in good fettle. Herbert Nutter, P.O.W. writes to his father to say
that he is quite well, but short of warm underclothing. These were
sent to him away back in the autumn, but as his letter was dated
early in October they had not reached him when he wrote. Otherwise
very happy and cheerful.
Central
Africa.
Hubert Tindsley writes such an interesting letter that we give it
a paragraph to itself. He writes from near the Equator, right in
the African jungle, and is still with his Ambulance Unit. Letter
dated Jan. 2nd Says the N.L. is still reaching him regularly and
he has not, so far, missed a single issue, although he has been
in the jungle for many months. Has plenty of sport, running, soccer,
cricket, etc. Says that the native soccer team will give any of
our boastful teams a run for their money. The natives mostly play
in bare feet and not in the least afraid of tackling Tommies in
their football boots. Says, "they are much faster than us and left
us bewildered". Has moved still further inland and is stationed
in a pleasant native village.' It was so hot on Christmas Day that
he went for a swim, something to boast about in the days to come.
Helps to take the services in Church. On Christmas night saw the
native carnival, devil dances, weird dress, banging drums etc. Thought
he was in the "pictures". Local children gave a concert to
the British soldiers and rose to occasion. Says it was very strange
to see the tiny black faces on the stage and the black-faced audience.
The dancing, singing and acting were of a very high standard, and
"I can safely say that I have never seen such a good concert given
by kiddies in all my life", and as Hubert has been in concert
parties all his life he should know.
Rufford
News.
Again we thank Mr. Bert Marsden for the following:-
Pilot Officer Golding has been mentioned in Dispatches and awarded
the D.F.C. He is brother to Edwin Golding who married Norah Fowler
recently at Tarleton. Was in the R.A.F. for about four years before
the war. Ivor Jones has been given his discharge from the Army owing
to sickness. Miss Alice Sutton, Holmeswood, was buried at Rufford
last week. A very keen Churchworker, and did a great deal for the
Comforts Fund. Kenneth Lingard's banns were called out at Rufford
last Sunday. He is marying Vera Barker from Burscough. Bob Townsley
R.A. who is married and lives in New Lane, is expecting leave on
February 4th and writes that he will be visiting his Tarleton and
H.B. friends. Henry Caunce who used to live in the Mission Cottages
in Hesketh Lane some years ago died while with relatives at Rufford,
and was buried in the Churchyard there. Dick Sephton is still in
the middle east and we hope to hear from him soon.
Village
Talk.
Jimmy Burns, who is somewhere in the middle east, is in hospital,
a
nd is getting better. Eddie Wignal, of Walmer Bridge, known to most
Tarleton lads because he came often to our dances, has, we regret
to say, been killed in the middle east. He was in the Royal Artillery.
Chief Petty Officer Jack Hornby, of Hoole,
who used to live on Windmill Brow, has been mentioned in Dispatches.
He is an "old boy" of our Tarleton Church Schools, and has been
at sea for a good many years. He is in a famous ship. Henry Cookson,
Mere Brow, who is well over eighty, is very ill. He has been suffering
from jaundice. We understand that the inhabitants of Sollom are
now calling their hamlet - Tarleton South. Last week we stated that
Frank Caunce had joined the R.A.F. It should have been of course,
Frank Cairns. Walter Moss home on leave for seven days, was married
at Croston on Saturday to Annie Chadwick, of Club Street, Croston.
It was quite a military wedding. Billy Benjamin R.A.F., came home
for his seven days' leave by aeroplane. The local Home Guard had
manoeuvres on Sunday morning. We were a tank trying to get through
the enemy lines. Bank Hall lot have challenged our Home Guard to
a Darts Tournament, the Rector has promised a Hot Pot Supper to
the competing teams. Lt.-Commander John Caunce who lives next door
to Dr Crofts, who is in command of a mine-sweeping flotilla, has
been promoted to the rank of Captain and has been made a Commodore
- a very important position.
Home
on Leave.
Billy Benjamin, R.A.F., for seven days, Jimmy Parkinson, R.A.F.
for seven days. Harry Cookson, for few hours, Will Harrison (Moss
Lane) for seven days, Ronnie Whiteside, Station Road, H.B., for
seven days. Walter Moss for seven days, Tom Walsh for seven days
Noel (Nobby) Clarke, for-seven days.
Parish
Magazines.
These are now ready for February and we would ask all those who
do not get one sent from home to let the Rector know and he will
send one himself. This applies to all lads whether from Tarleton
or neighbouring parishes. Do not be afraid to ask. One other matter.
There are several lads from whom the Rector has received no letter
for some time. Will these please send one as soon as possible? They
like reading about what other lads are doing, and these other lads
would like to read about their doings. |
