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RECTOR'S WEEKLY NEWS
February 10th 1944
No. 201 - Published weekly since May 1940

My dear Boys and Girls,
One glance at the Home front News will show you that I have been away from Tarleton during the week, and was thus unable to gather my weekly budget of gossip. However, a double dose next week.
Looking through the portrait gallery in the Lady Chapel I find that there are just a few - and it is a very few - whose photographs do not appear there. Will those few please send along a photograph so that the gallery may be a complete record of all the boys and girls away.
While in London I called at the War Office and saw the Deputy Chaplain General. He is most anxious that every lad should get to know his Chaplain and make a friend of him. It is often very difficult for a Chaplain to get to know who really does appreciate his ministrations. If you show an interest in him, he will assuredly show an interest in you, and be ready to render you any help you may require.
War news is certainly very much brighter now, and all we need is a long pull and a strong pull and a pull together, and we shall have you all home in double quick time. And that will be a day.
With my love and all my prayers,
ever your affectionate friend,
L.N. FORSE.

HOME FRONT NEWS.
Nick Taylor, Coe Lane, Sgt. in the Tarleton Home Guard, has become engaged to Eileen Whiteside, Dunkirk Farm, Hesketh Bank.
Robert Hull, junr. son of Robert Hull the wheelwright, Tarleton, died rather suddenly on Wednesday, of heart falure. He was buried at Tarleton. He was 40. For some years he had lived at Southport.
The rector was away all last week visiting his brother who is very ill in a nursing home at Bournmouth.
The Managers have received 20 applications for the position of Headmaster of the Tarleton Church Schools.

On Leave: Ronnie Iddon R.N., 21days embarcation; Cpl. Wm. Roberts; Matt Sutton, from Italy, compassionate; Harry Taylor, R.A.F. on his way to a Course; Tom Dickinson, on being posted; Billy Lowe, Edwin Hodson, George Wait; Jimmy Latham, Tom Dandy.
George West has been discharged from the Army on his own application and is going down the mines. Jimmy West is also going down the mines.
Mrs. James Reed Ascroft, Mere Brow, has presented her husband with their first baby, a son.
Mrs. Joe Abram (Annie Hough, Mere Brow) has presented her husband with their first baby.
Tommy Ascroft, Mere Brow went in his car to New Lane, Burscough, did his business, and coming out found his car gone and a bicycle oonsiderately left in its place. He reported his loss to the Police and cycled home. His car was afterwards found at Warrington.
The Banns of Marriage between Ronnie Knight and Freda Gill had to be postponed owing to unforseen circumstances.

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS:
Dvr. Sid Ball sends an interesting airgraph saying "I have met a lad from Croston whom I know very well. We had some good times together in Civvy street, so when we met we had a good celebration. We got four scorpions this morning, and it is funny to see them commit suicide if you put a circle of fire round them. Nothing ever happens worth mentioning in this land of Arabs."
LAC Roger Watson airgraphs from India to say "Our Christmas turned out quite a happy event. I can't complain, for we are out of reach of any town and are compelled to provide our own entertainment. Nearby is a Hurricane camp and they possess a film projector, and when a film turns up they ask us over to see it. The screen is hung from a tree branch while the spectators rest themselves on the grass. Please give my kind regards to Harry Devitt, Tom Spencer (cogratulations on your engagement,Tom); Freddy Coupe; his sister Barbara, and all my friends at home and abroad."
Pte. Ken Robshaw writes from India saying "The N.Ls are reaching me fine, and I am pleased to see that my letters are reaching you for I see that my name is in one. I am on a very interesting job, but cannot give you any information about it. I see from the N.L. that Jack Parker of Liverpool seems to be following me round."
Dvr. Dick Sephton airgraphs from M.E.F. saying "We have an Officer in the Coy. from Southport, Bold Hotel in Lord Street. Perhaps you know his father. I am browned off with the rain already, and it has only been on for a week or two; as one of the boys said the other day, it is real English Bank Holiday weather."
L/Sgt. Harry Forrest (Congratulations, Harry on your promotion) airgraphs from the M.E.F. as follows: "I have been looking through my old N.Ls and find that in the issue of July 16th, 1942, you gave a list of all the Tarleton boys called up. It was then the strength of a Signal Company, but by now I guess it will be near the strength of a Signal Unit. When I have read them, I hand them round to the lads who find them very interesting. There is one thing that most of them ask. It is "Why is this place called Tarleton?" I just smile and say, "Its on the map, and what's more l know where it is." My kind regards to Tommy, George, Dick and Jimmy Burns, and George West in the next N.L. please, and tell them I am well and happy, up in the snow covered mountains here, cold in winter, hot in summer."
Dvr. John Caunce writes from a Base Depot in the M.E.F. whither he has gone on being discharged from a Middle East Hospital. "Just received your letter dated Nov. 24th - it is now Jan. 22nd and by the number of stamps and writing on the envelope I think it has been chasing me all around. Do not think we had turkey for our Christmas dinner, but since then I have seen one. I am hoping it will not be long before I am wandering round my old haunts again. Remember me to John Spencer."
LAC Bert Barron, writes from B.N.A.F. saying "We are on the outskirts of a city where I began my North African career on Nov. 8th 1942, but what a change has taken place during my absence! I hardly recognised it - no blackout and the only thing to remind one of the war was the uniformd men. Personally I much prefer being in Italy and seeing something new and more interesting, than the myriads of Arabs one sees here. I would like to express my best wishes through that grand medium the N.L. to my sister Ann; cousins Bob and Arthur; Harold Aspey; Frank Timperley and all in the Forces who are still keeping dear old Tarleton's fag flying." .
AC Freddy Coupe who has blossomed into typewriting his letters, writes from Nassau saying, "I am hoping to go on leave in a few months; I intend spending it with my relations in Cleveland, which is approximately 1,500 miles from here, but travelling here is very quick and I ought to manage 10 days with them, and after being out here for so long I feel like a good leave. The weather is just nice out here at the moment, but a bit of frost would be very welcome now for me."
Dvr. Billy Parkinson writes "It was certainly very nice to be home again and be able to take Holy Communion in my own Church beside my wife, instead of in the open air in various parts of the world, although, of course, it makes no difference to the spirit in which it is received, but in mind it is much more comforting to be in one's own Church with those you love."
Pte. Harry Woosey writes "I am now more like my old self and am putting on weight. I have seen quite a number of Jays lately. I have never seen any before and they gave me the impression that they could almost talk. I was glad to see Jim Melling on the top of the Bill in the N.L. I suggest that Jack Robinson, senr. be asked to write a few lines. My kind regards to my brother-in-law Eric Booth, Jack Robinson, Jimmy Burns, JImmy Latham, and all the lads and lassies wherever they may be."
Cpl. Ken Nicholson writes "I see that Stoker William Melling (H.B.) says in one of his letters to you that he was surprised to see that I had landed at --- (somewhere in the far, far east.) I did not land there; we only took part in a Fleet action off there, so I hope you will correct him in his error. I am sorry to hear about Dick Johnson and hope he will soon be well again. Give my best wishes to Stan Quinlan, Jack Moss and all the lads. Sandy Laing was through last week and like many more he had to admit that there is a lot to learn in the way of gunnery in these camps of ours. We don't get any extra money for instructing and yet we are doing just as much as people who get 2/- a day for it."
Dvr. Robert Bond writes from an address in England saying "I have tried to see Chuck Wright; We are trying to arrange our next leaves at the same time. Please thank all the organisations, W.V.S., M.U., B.L. (Womens' Section); Conservatives; Bowling Green etc. for the gifts sent. It is impossible for me to thank them all myself individually.