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RECTOR'S WEEKLY NEWS
January 20th 1944
No. 198 - Published weekly since May 1940

My dear boys and girls,
As you will see from the "Home Front News" our good friend, young Dick Johnson, is lying very seriously ill in a hospital in Italy. I know that you will all remember him in your prayers. This is the only, and at the same time it is the best, way we can help him at this moment of crisis, and I feel sure you will render it to him.
Dick went to France at the very beginning of the war, was evacuated via Dunkirk, had less than a week at home and was then sent to the Orkneys; from there he was sent straight to the Middle East and was in the whole of the chase of Rornmel across Africa, and has been in Italy since.
I will of course, keep you informed, as I myself get the information, concerning his progress.
With my love and my prayers for you all.
Ever your sincere friend,
L.N. FORSE.

HOME FRONT NEWS:
Mr. William Coulton (Cork), of Shore Road, H.B., died on Saturday and was buried at H.B. He was turned 70.
Mr. Moss, Hesketh Lane, opposite Water Tower, died in a Liverpool Hospital on Monday and was buried in the family grave at Crossens on Thursday. He was 65.
Mrs. Hilton, Meolsgate Avenue, mother of Mrs. John Johnson, Meolsgate, died on Sunday and was buried in family grave at Chorley.
Jubilee Cottage, Carr Lane, belonging to Mr. Jack Parkinson, Coe Lane, has been sold to Mr. Joe Hague, of the Water Tower houses.
Dan Ball is driving for Mr. William Dandy, Produce Merchant, Hesketh Lane, who has been ordered by his doctor to rest.
Preston Horse Fair last Wednesday. Large number of Tarleton farmers took the day off. While the Fair was on, a horse, harnessed to a trap, took fright and bolted. It knocked down Arthur Martland, aged 40, a farmer of Latham, Burscough, and fractured his skull, and did considerable other damage to him. Mr. Martland is still seriously
ill in Preston Infirmary.
We regret to record that Mrs. Ellen Johnson, Carr Lane, has received notice from the War Office that her son, Dick Johnson, who has been out east for over three years, after coming through Dunkirk, is lying dangerously ill in a military hospital in Italy.
Today Sergt. (H.G.) and Mrs. Ritchings (New Road) celebrate their Silver Wedding Day, i.e. the 25th anniversary of their marriage. After a special celebration of Holy Communion in the Parish Church in the morning, they are having a family re-union at the home of Mr. Ritching's parents.
Alice Fazackerley was married at Ormskirk Registry Office last week to Richard Buck, of Hesketh Bank. He lives in the house behind Alty's brick kiln.
Evelyn Taylor was married on Monday to a Member of H.M. Forces she met when she was in the A.T.S.
Tarleton Corinthians Played Ainsdale, St. John's, on Saturday and lost 4 - 2.

On Leave: Billy Parkinson, Jim Latham, Frank McKean, Bob Parkinson for week-end, Arthur Harrison, Edwin Hodson, Frank Timperley, Matt Forshaw.
Mrs. Jack Mee Presented her husband with a bonny baby son at 10.45 last Saturday evening. They already have two girls. Mother and baby doing well.

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS:
Gdsn. Aubrey Smith writes his first Postcard since being Prisoner of war from Stalag VIIA. which on the Rector's p-o-w map is given as at Mooseberg, which is not far from Munich. On it he says "As you will notice I'm now in a p-o-w camp, but sorry to say I've got no address yet. Give my kind regards to Tarleton. Just a month ago since I left my pals behind. Am in the best of health. Wishing you all the best, with love and best wishes, ever your sincere friend". It was written on December 12th.
L/Cpl. Harry Price writes from Paiforce to say "Your Christmas nunber has just come, and I must claim as my poem 'Friend of my Heart'. If my memory serves me well it was enclosed in my last letter to you before leaving England. I dedicate these verses to our P-0-Ws. What joy if only they could read them. Hope you got my Christmas AG alright. Please convey, through the N.L. my best wishes and fondest regards to brother Bert and all my friends".
E.R.M. Dick Burns, R.N. airgraphs from his famous ship saying "I am still on the lookout for some of the sailor lads from home who are in this part of the world. I noticed in one of your N.Ls that you asked us to tell you of anyone we would like to write to us. Well, here is my choice: J.H. Melling on behalf of the Firm, as he would be writing to his son, brother, nephew, and also, as far as I can count, to about 7 of his workmen, besides the many men from Tarleton now in the Forces who were in the Home Guard Platoon which he commands. I hope you will find space to pass on my best regards to my brothers and brother-in-law in the Forces and also to my many friends."
AC Dick McKean airgraphs from M.E.F. to say "Things are much the same out here. Though the weather is much cooler we still get bags of sunshine. Having got Christmas over we are looking forward to a victorious year and the privilege of returning home to those we love."
Dvr. Fred Taylor on his airgraph says "I received a N.L. today which, like all the others, was very welcome, and I was very pleased with the Christmas number. I spent a very nice Christmas, but hope that the next will be still better. Remember me to Arthur Worth and all in the Forces".
Sergt. George Almond airgraphs from C.M.F. saying "The Christmas number of the N.L. reached me on Christmas Eve, better timing one could not wish for. We had a very nice Christmas and were fortunate in getting plenty of real Christmas eatables, geese, chicken, pork, Christmas pudding and cakes, mince pies etc., and we had lots of good fun. Of course it was the Sergts' busy day and we were kept on the go most of the time" .
LAC Herbert Barron writes frcm the C.M.F. to say "I am still very well, out here in Italy. I was just going to say North Africa, but I remembered where I am in time, although as far as I can see there is not much difference, except that there are no Arabs in their colourful robes. However, I've seen quite enough of Africa. My ambition now is to see Rome and the Vatican City. But I can assure you that the most wonderful sight of all would be the white cliffs of Dover. Bets are now being taken among our gambling fraternity as to whether Germany will collapse before the winter ends."
Lt. Stanley Baldwin writes from C.M.F. saying "After my many and colourful travels in the Middle East, I now find myself in Italy. So far I am a little disappointed. I expected that conditions would be something akin to those we are used to in England. As it is: few good roads, railway system very slow, sanitary arrangements no better than in Egypt - and I have yet to see the wonderful buildings Mussolini is reputed to have erected. I get tired of the never ending stretches of olive groves. There is little else here. I am very fit and exceedingly happy with my old regiment. Dennis Seddon-Brown is still with us."
AC/2 Freddy Coupe sends a most colour book of views of the Bahamas with his interesting letter. In this he says "I was working over Christmas, but I didn't mind that because it is essential to win the war and that must come first. I went to a party on Christmas Eve in the Bahamas Club. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor were there and I had a few words with them. We had quite a good time and it was a change. The Duke came into our Cookhouse and wished us all a Merry Christmas: Remember me to all the boys in the Forces and wish them all a very happy and prosperous New Year."
AC/1 Tom Parkinson writes from a well-known Egyptian port saying "The photo is that of the Church I have attended every Sunday for the last seven months, and it is like going home. After the service we go into the adjoining hall for tea and cakes, which are free. Then there is always a select picture show or a lecture by some well-known person. Thanks for the Cristmas N.L. and the Christmas card. After I have read theN.Ls they go a trip round the billet and then round the Section, even the Officers and N.C.O's look for them coming round and think them very good".
AB William Ball, R.N. (H.B.) writes from his submarine, somewhere beneath the ocean, to say "I am afraid that I cannot gather a great deal of news for you owing to our work and movements being strictly secret. ( Never mind Bill, the Admirality have told the whole world the wonderful work your Submarine has done, and we have all been thrilled ). I am still receiving the N.Ls quite regularly and they certainly do keep one in touch with what is happening round home, and all the boys and girls in the Forces, no matter in what part of the world your friends may be stationed. One can always get news of them from the ever faithful N.L. All the boys in the Mess enjoy reading it; I think its the nick names and the good old Lancashire speeches which amuse them. Can you find room in the N.L. to give my kind regards to Harry Taylor and Evelyn Taylors, ATS."
LAC John Sutton writes "You'll probably rub your eyes and look again when you see who this is from and I must admit that it is coming into dock with the flu that has made me write. I see that my cousin Hubert Tindsley wishes to be remembered to me; please do the same for me in one of your N.Ls., also to John Webster, R.N. I hope that the people at home, and those in the Forces abroad, don't get the idea that we're having a picnic of it on Bomber Command, because they're wrong; they want to come and watch the lads toiling to get more planes ready to bomb and keep bombing Germany."