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Transcript © 2003 Hubmaker. All rights reserved.
Reproduction by any means strictly prohibited.
RECTOR'S WEEKLY NEWS
March 12th 1942
My dear Lads,
My first words this week must be a reminder that next Sunday will
be Mothering Sunday, and for all those who were confirmed in Tarleton
the anniversary of your first Communion. As you know on that day
we normally have about 300 Communicants at the 8 o’clock service,
but with so many lads away for they formed a large percentage of
the congregation, I do not expect such large numbers this year:
However I have asked all parents and friends to be present at 8
a.m, and now I am asking you to make a point of being present at
Holy Communion on Sunday so that we may still be found as complete
families at the Alter.
Remember there is no space or time with God, and remember also that
our Lord Jesus Christ has said “Whosoever eateth my flesh,
and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me and I in him.” So if
you go, and your loved ones at home also go to Holy Communion on
Sunday we shall all meet in the sacred Heart of Jesus, as complete
families; and can you possibly think of a better place in which
to meet? So see your Chaplain or Vicar and ask him the time of the
early Communion; then go yourself and pray for your loved ones at
home, as they too will be praying for you.
With my love and my blessing, ever your affectionate Padre,
L. N. FORSE.
Home
Front News.
O/S Tom Spencer, R.N. has sailed to where the artic winds do blow,
do blow. Here he will find O/S George Moss, of Hoole, nephew of
Harry Moss who works at Mellings. Bob Barron Hesketh Lane and Robert
Bond of Mere Brow have been called up. Mr. Robert Iddon, Hesketh
Lane, was taken to Preston Infirmary last week. His son, Marine
Harry Iddon got short leave to come and see him. He is still under
observation. Mr. Sephton who was the Schoolmaster at Bretherton
is in Java as R.A.F. Instructor at least he was there when last
heard of. Jack Edmondson (Chip Shop) who was married last week at
the H.B. Methodist Chapel to Beatrice Cookson of H.B. has been called
up for the R.A.F. He went on Tuesday. We are told that lettuce is
now fetching 4/ . Banns were called for the first time on Sunday
of the forthcoming marriages. Sgt. Ernie Ball to Constance Maher
of Luton; and Ralph Whitehead to Mary Edmondson. Both couples are
being married at Easter. The local Tarleton football team played
Bank Hall on the Council School playing field on Saturday and won
5 - 2. The W.V.S. at Hoole held a Dance and made £30. They
gave £10 each to Red Cross; Preston Station Buffet; Preston
Infirmary.
The
following have been or are on leave; Hugh Rowland (48 hrs.); John
Wright; Harry Latham (10 days); Jack Marsden; Bert Price; George
Burns; LAC Billy Benjamin; Harry Iddon (see above). Mr. Penn has
now recovered and is back at the organ. Mr. Worth is also out of
hospital and has commenced his duties as Verger and School caretaker.
Home Guard had night operations on Monday. The County Council Scholarship
examination was held on Saturday. The British Legion Women’s
Section held a Jumble Sale on Saturday in the Club Room and raised
£30 for their Comforts' Fund. The Church has gone to 6.30
evensong on Sundays instead of 3 o'clock as during blackout. John
Webster is confined to bed with a split lung caused through lifting
heavy articles, The W.L.R.D.C. has been all round Tarleton taking
up railings and iron gates, with or without leave. In many cases
it is an improvement, but in others it is a mess. Sapper Dick Gabbot
out in the middle east has written home to say that he has met Marine
Leslie Hodson who is also out there. Mr. Nicholson (Kearsley Avenue)
is in the next bed but one in the Brown Ward in Preston Infirmary
to Mr. Robert Iddon. The Rector been called to enquire whether it
is possible to form a unit of Sea Cadets in Tarleton. With the Canal,
the Douglas and the Ribble on our doorstep it might be feasible.
Members of the local N.F.S. practising on canal bank nearly lost
one of their number. (No names no pack drill) but this man was standing
on the bank with the hose pipe twisted beside him when the motorman
suddenly started the engine; the pipe straightened out,caught the
man and threw him into the middle of the canal. Beyond a good ducking
he suffered no harm.
Extracts
from Letters.
Sapper Dick Johnson sends an interesting letter from the middle
east. Says that in spite of the fact that so many Tarleton lads
are out there he has not come across a single one. Has been out
in the desert in the thick of the fighting, with Stukas hailing
down bombs. His letter, dated 16.2.42 says, "A few days ago
I received one of the N.Ls dated November and it was the most recent
one I have received. We had a Christmas dinner after all, just a
month late, but that did not spoil it any. " Adds that the
weather is beginning to get warmer and in a few more weeks it will
be summer out there. Promises to write again in a week or so. Pte.
Matt. Sutton writes from Basrah to let the rector know that he has
arrived at his destination after a really splendid voyage. Says
"I enjoyed 4 days leave ashore at a well known port on my way
out. I think it is the same port at which nearly all our boys have
called. The people were wonderful; nothing was too good for us.
I have often read reports about it in the N.L. and I now know how
true these reports were. I have not received any mail yet since
I left home but I hope to get some any day now and I shall be glad
when I receive the N.L. again. I have missed it, I can tell you.
We are on the desert here and it is rather hot." LAC Robert
Moss writes once again after a few weeks of silence. Says "during
the past fortnight I have done little flying on account of the weather"
Goes on "I was very pleased to hear about Stan Quinlan getting
married for I know him very well in fact his wife too, when we lived
at Churchtown several years ago. This news, as you may guess, I
read in the N.L., so you can see that they are 'really and truly
news letters'. I enjoy reading every word of them, they cheer one
up so much, especially when one is away from home. My pals like
to read them also and they think they are fine." He hopes to
be on leave on April 13th. ACW Eva Foulds, R.A.F. writes to say
"I have been in the W.A.A.Fs now three months, and I like it
very much. I have finished my training as a cook. We have Church
Parades on Sunday mornings, and I go." Says she has been to
four R.A.F. stations since she joined. Hopes to get her first real
leave on April 4th. Pte. J. Power (Hesketh Bank sends a neat typewritten
letter. Says, "I am wondering if you could please see that
my name is spelt correctly on the envelope which contains the N.L.
Adds that there is a lot of skating where he is and they are getting
up a competition and hopes that his company will come out ‘top
dog.' Goes on "This is only a small town and entertainments
are the seventh wonder in the town, so it is up to us to find our
own amusements and give others a treat as well." Wishes to
be remembered to all his friends from H.B. particularly to Wm. Melling
serving in the R.N. AC Tom Parkinson R.A.F. makes this comment in
his letter with reference to our War Weapons Week "I see from
the N.L. that there is plenty of money in Tarleton yet, and the
weapons’ week was a great success. But it seems funny to me
that all that money can be found for fighting with, and when it
comes to a special cause for our Church or Schools it is hard work
to raise enough although these causes are actually doing God's work.
We seem to have got upside down in the world at present." These
are very true words and we might all take them to heart. He wishes
to be remembered to all the lads of the village and to his Sunday
School class, and says that he is always glad to receive the N.L.
because it keeps him in touch with the life of the village. O/S
Dick Burns R.N. says that he has got good biIlets and only wishes
that he could stay in them until the end of the war. Adds that he
is very busy and says "it will give you some idea if I tell
you that I have about 4 hours every day with the notes I have taken
down, But should I be successful in passing this course it will
mean a lot more money for my wife and baby, so it is up to me."
Says that they have to draw from the Company Office the landlady's
billeting money, get her to sign the receipt and take it back to
H.Q.Office and, he goes on "if it is not in at a certain time
I need not tell you what happens. Well, the other day one lad asked
his Lieut.C.O. if he would mind taking this paper as he was going
to H.Q. and the Lieut C.O. replied ’ fancy a man in my position
running messenger for you, but give it here, I will take it."
Dvr Tommy Burns R.A.M.C. writes from his hospital in---where he
is a patient to say that he does not know when he will get out,
although he is quite well in himself (he sprained his foot playing
soccer). Says, in reference to being called a "Dunkirk Hero"
in a recent N.L. "I’ve never mentioned this before but
our Coy. was recommended by Lord Gort on the work we did, and how
we got the patients to the hospital boat under fire all the time.
We received a telegram from Lord Gort and from the War Office to
say jolly fine work." Goes on "It would be better to stop
the daily newspapers than your N.L., as it is more important than
any daily paper." A very nice letter comes by air mail from
Cpl. Harry Forrest who is in the M.E. but the censor has made windows
in it with his scissors. In one place he says "I have found
out where Jim Burns is, he is further South by about (window) miles."
In another place he says "We are (here is a whole line cut
out with the scissors) in this country, but there is not any fighting
at all, as it was all cleared up some time ago. All I can say is
this that as far as we have gone we are lucky as regards fighting,
But I must not say too much or we may be up to the neck in it. We
are under canvas and are repeatedly told to "take up our bed
and walk:" The only friends we have got out here are the camel
and the donkey as they are the only means of transport for the natives.
Most of this country reminds me of the Bible and the Scripture lessons
I had at school when I was at Hoole“. |
