28th Aug 1915. Scarcity of Sugar

SCARCITY OF SUGAR.

A circular letter was received from the Local Government Board pointing out that the sugar supply was extremely limited, owing to the cutting off of supplies from the Continent, and suggesting that the Guardians should take into consideration the advisability of discontinuing the use of cube sugar in cases where granulated sugar could be used.—It was decided to advertise for granulated sugar in future contracts.

THE PRICE OF TEA.

NO REDUCTION EXPECTED.

Tea is not expected to become cheaper, in spite of heavy shipments of nearly 20,000,000lb from Ceylon and of 6,000,000lb from India. There has been a slight fall in the less expensive teas, but this, according to several of the largest retail houses in London, is nothing ; there was plenty of room for a drop, as market prices had advanced considerably, in addition to the rise caused by the increase in the tea duty in November last.

It is stated that owing to various special circumstances such as the very greatly increased consumption in our own country and also in France and Russia, and the unprecedented requirements of the War Office for the supply of troops at home and abroad, enormous contracts for which are given out almost weekly, there has been an abnormal rise in market values. Common tea realizes about 1s per lb in bond and 1s 8d per lb duty paid.

It is curious to note that while France is using more tea owing to its ease of preparation, in the United Kingdom the consumption of coffee has risen. This advance is stated to be due partly to the large number of Belgian refugees, who cannot be induced to drink tea, and also to the sale of coffee at many of the camps and in some of the public-houses after 10 o’clock.

THYME AND MARJORAM FOR MAKING ANTISEPTICS.

Mr B B Dickinson, 5 Barby Road, writes :—Thanks to the very generous response to the appeal for thyme and marjoram, the Rugby School Chemical Laboratory has now ample supplies. We beg to offer our grateful thanks to all those who have so bountifully helped us.

HOW VILLAGES CAN HELP.

CO-OPERATIVE WAR FOOD SOCIETIES.

The booklet, “ Why We Must Save, and How,” issued by the Parliamentary War Savings Committee, should certainly be read by all those who are anxious, following the advice of the Prime Minister, to do their part towards conserving and increasing the national resources. A good deal of the booklet is based on the articles already published in the Advertiser, but there is one very interesting and suggestive addition—a memorandum on “ Village War Food Societies,” drawn up by Mr H C Long, of the Board of Agriculture.

“ VILLAGE WAR FOOD SOCIETIES.”

Mr Long’s contention is that the “ most successful means of increasing the production of all classes of foodstuffs, other than those which can only be produced on large or small holdings, would be the formation of ‘ Village War Food Societies.’ ” These societies, it is suggested, should deal with “the utilisation and consumption of foods as well as their production.” They might, it is suggested, “ be amalgamated, at any rate for the period of the war, with local gardening and allotment societies, and might in some cases cover a group of villages. Even where there are allotments, the workers can commonly cultivate much more land than they have, and the necessity and desirability of producing more food of all kinds should be impressed upon each village as a unit. The interests of the women and children should be especially enlisted, as their aid will be of very great importance to the success of any operations undertaken.”

FORMATION AND OBJECTS.

The formation, it is suggested, might be brought about by clerks to parish councils, who might call a meeting of local residents interested in gardening, pigs, poultry, bees, &c, for the purpose of considering the formation of a local society. This being decided upon, a small committee should be elected (with chairman, secretary, and treasurer of the society) to organise the work of the society on a business footing.

The object of each society would be to ascertain the position of vacant building plots, uncultivated “ waste ” areas, and possibly even of common land ; discover the owners, and secure permission to cultivate land (if possible without charge to the society) ; arrange either for co-operative and mutual cultivation of the land so secured, and ownership of the produce, or parcel it out to the members to cultivate for themselves individually ; secure manures, seeds, plants, stock, foodstuffs, and implements on a co-operative basis, and sell or preserve for home use the produce of their labours.

In most villages, it is pointed out, there is sufficient expert knowledge available. Failing that, help may be obtained from the Board of Agriculture ; whilst leaflets, dealing with particular subjects, may be had free from the Board. It is recommended that a short, concise set of simple and plain rules should be drafted, based on whether the cultivation of the plots is to be individual or co-operative as regards produce. If the work were to be co-operative and mutual all through, the produce would be divided in proportion to the labour and interest of the individual. Actual cultivation might be individual ; but seeds, stock, &c, might still be supplied on a co-operative basis.

GOATS, PIGS, AND POULTRY.

After this general introduction the memorandum proceeds to consider the forms the activity of the societies might take. In each case, for full details reference is made to the leaflet issued by the Board of Agriculture, dealing with this particular subject.

In rural districts there is usually scope for the keeping of goats, which may be housed and fed fairly cheaply, and, if care is used in their selection and treatment, will yield a good return in the form of wholesome milk for the owners. Co-operation among members of a village society may have excellent results in connection with goat keeping.

In connection with many cottage gardens, and on the vacant areas it is proposed should be utilised, pig-keeping could be practised much more commonly than at present, and the society should endeavour to increase the local output of pigs. Pig-keeping could readily be conducted on a co-operative basis, and there would be large quantities of waste vegetable matter which would be of very great value for this purpose.

Every additional egg and every extra chicken will help the food supply if produced under proper conditions, and there is at the present time special need to increase the numbers of both eggs laid and poultry reared. Any reduction in the laying or breeding stock of poultry kept is against the best interests of both the individual and the public, and the societies should do all they can to extend poultry keeping in their districts—again, either by individuals or collectively by co-operation. The number of persons who could readily keep poultry is very great, and a few birds kept by each would not only enable them to utilise much household and garden ” waste,” but to utilise it in the economic production of eggs and table birds.

In some districts, where there are fairly large areas available, it may be possible to take up the co-operative rearing of turkeys. While it may often be desirable and profitable to sell the eggs produced when new-laid, the societies may usefully consider whether their members cannot act in concert, purchase jars and materials in bulk, and preserve eggs for future use. By this means it may be possible for a small district or village to put by some thousands of eggs during the “ cheap ” season for use when eggs are dear, and so save the meat bill.

There is plenty of opportunity in every village for increasing the food supply by means of rabbit breeding. A further means of increasing production lies in the breeding of pigeons. Little equipment is necessary ; cotes and wire enclosures can be made by any man who is handy with tools. The birds need little attention if they can be allowed their freedom, and will rear several brace of youngsters annually.

BEES AND HONEY.

There is always a satisfactory outlet for good honey, which is a valuable article of food, and it should be especially welcome at a time when sugar is so dear. The Village War Food Society might very usefully endeavour to extend bee-keeping in the district. Apart from the fact that, so long as freedom from disease can be secured, the production of honey is an inexpensive and remunerative village industry when the honey is sold. Honey may, if retained for home use, effect a considerable saving in sugar. Co-operative bee-keeping would almost certainly be of value, and could be more economically and successfully conducted than individual work. Hives placed in separate gardens could still remain part of a co-operative plan, and the running, packing, and marketing of the honey could be done at one house and with one set of appliances, while the management of the hives could be more readily and effectively controlled.

FRUIT.

In normal years there is usually considerable waste of fruit throughout the country. Village War Food Societies should strive to ensure that all fruit in their district is properly utilised. When in season fruit will materially aid in reducing the meat bill, and is a wholesome, strength-giving food. Any fruit, however, which is not consumed fresh, or is not marketed, should be stored or preserved in some way for future use. Apples and pears may be stored in cool rooms, and soft fruit may be bottled or converted into jam or dried. . . . Members of societies might materially reduce individual costs of storing and preserving if they worked co-operatively, buying materials wholesale, bottling and preserving the members’ fruit in the same way.

Another matter which the societies might well take in hand is the collection of wild fruits and their sale or preservation for home use. Blackberries, wild raspberries, cranberries, whortleberries, crab apples, and hazel nuts may all be collected in considerable quantity in different districts, and all add largely to the food resources of the collectors. Children should be induced to take up this branch of work, and the collected fruit may be sold, or bottled or converted into jam.

It has not been sufficiently recognised that acorns, horse chestnuts, and beech mast are all useful foods for stock, especially acorns. The village societies will do well to do all that lies in their power to utilise these products to the full. They may readily and quickly be collected by children, and even when not required for the stock owned by members may, doubtless, be disposed of to neighbouring farmers. In all rural districts are to be found spots carrying considerable amounts of tough grass and green herbage, nettles, &c. General collection of such material may result in the ownership of a useful quantity of rough hay, which may be picked over by the goat, and used generally for the stock, either for food or litter. It may be possible to make it into silage with other greenstuff.

Town or Urban War Food Societies might be formed on somewhat similar lines to the Village Food Societies referred to above, but their sphere of activity would probably be more restricted to gardening operations. Both types of societies should not only deal with increased production, but with the economic utilisation, preparation, and consumption of foods in each individual home.

Lord Selborne’s announcement of a series of conferences with agriculturists in various parts of the country, with a view to increasing the production of foodstuffs during the war, has been generally welcomed. All the organisations interested in agriculture have been invited to send delegates. The meeting at Bristol will be on September 16th, not 15th, as at first announced. The first will take place at the House of Lords next Thursday.

28th Aug 1915. Inspection of Rugby Fortress Company

RUGBY FORTRESS COMPANY.

INSPECTION BY CHAIRMAN OF URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL.

Members of the Rugby Fortress Company, together with many of those who have been specially interested in its formation, spent a very enjoyable afternoon at the residence of Mr and Mrs J J McKinnell on Monday afternoon. Invitations had been extended to members and officials of the Rugby Urban District Council and their wives ; to Colonel Johnstone, the recruiting officer at Rugby ; to members of the Recruiting Committee and to others who had helped Mr McKinnell in his successful efforts to raise a company of Royal Engineers for the town.

Amongst those able to attend were : The Rector of Rugby and Mrs Blagden, Mr and Mrs A E Donkin, Mr and Mrs L Loverock, Mr W Flint (vice-chairman of the Urban District Council), Mr G M Seabroke, Mr T A Wise, Mr W H Linnell, Mr Sam Robbins, Mr and Mrs J G Satchell, Miss Cook, Mr and Mrs W J Saville, Mr Allan Hand, Mr J H Sharp, Mr and Mrs Frank Hollowell, Mr James Darby, Mr and Mrs W H W Parsons, Mr Harry Tarbox, Mr J Walker, etc, etc.

The Fortress Company marched over from Rugby and arrived at Mr McKinnell’s residence four o’clock. They looked very smart and soldier-like, and a distinct credit to the town. Mr McKinnell, accompanied by Capt Kempson, inspected the Company, and then addressed the men. He said :-Officers, N.C.O’s and men of the Rugby Fortress Company of Engineers. I need not say how great an honour I take it to be allowed to make this inspection this afternoon. Of course, I am only a civilian ; but even I can see the excellent spirit and soldier-like bearing that the Company has on parade. This good result has not been achieved without a great deal of very hard and very interesting work, as you all know very well. You have been working very hard during the past few months, and Capt Kempson from time to time has expressed to me his very great gratification at the way his men were sticking to it and really trying to make themselves efficient ; and I am sure this afternoon you are all very much to be congratulated on the result of your efforts, self-denial and energy.

When I was asked some months ago to raise a Company of Engineers in Rugby, I must confess my heart failed me. But they had done it in other towns round Rugby, and I thought it would not do for us not to follow their example and not to do as well as any of our neighbours. We had then a very good reputation for recruiting in Rugby, and there were not so many men left ; and as we had to keep to particular trades it made the task still harder. But we had a most excellent Recruiting Committee and a very able secretary in Mr Hand. We owe very much indeed to Mr Hand for the work he has put into this business—and, further, from the outside, we were particularly fortunate in securing as our commander, Captain Kempson, who was given up by Dr David, and it is to him very largely the success of his Company is due. Also, we were extremely fortunate in having such efficient non-commissioned officers as instructors. Then we have to thank a good many people in the town. The builders have helped us with the loan of various portions of their plant ; and we have to thank all the inhabitants of the town, who have helped us whenever we asked them, as they have done through this trying twelve months. Whenever we asked them to come to our aid, they have given us their help continuously.

I now have only to wish you, when you go away from Rugby to do your duty to your country, God speed and the best of luck. I am quite sure you will always take pains to do credit to the good old town of Rugby. I express my great pleasure at seeing you all this afternoon, and I hope you will enjoy yourselves very much (applause).

Photographic groups were taken of the Company by Mr George A Dean, of High Street, and then tea was dispensed, during which gramophone selections were given. Following tea, cigars were handed round, Miss Dickinson contributed two enjoyable songs, and Mr Arthur Eckersley told amusing stories. Bowls and clock golf were provided, and were evidently appreciated, and in the evening Capt KEMPSON, on behalf of the Fortress Company, thanked Mr and Mrs McKinnell for their hospitality.

LETTERS FROM REMNANTS OF THE 29th DIVISION.

Driver Biddles, of the R.A.M.C, writing to the friends he was billeted with in Rugby, speaks of several narrow escapes he and his comrade have had from shells. One day they were out with two waggons when a shell burst about ten yards in front of the mules. He thought he was in for it, and hoped he would be lucky enough to be sent to a Rugby hospital, but he got between the mules, and except for being hit by some lumps of dirt, everything was all serene. He adds : “ I suppose you read the number of our casualties in the Advertiser. Aren’t they terrible, but in comparison with the enemies’ losses they are small.” The writer goes on : “ By the way, we notice articles in the Advertiser about all the different regiments that were billeted in Rugby, except the R.A.M.C. I wonder why this is, because in our own work we have done equally as much as any infantry regiment, and have been highly praised by the General. But I think we must be like the navy. We do our duty silently, but nevertheless efficiently.

Drummer P W Jeffery, of the 1st K.O.S.B, sends a letter to the Editor, under date August 5th, from the Greek hospital at Alexandria. He states that he was in the landing on April 25th, and was wounded on May 1st. On recovering he was sent back to the front and was wounded again on July 27th—so he thinks he has had his share of fighting. It is worse ten times than France. “Our poor old regiment has suffered heavily. My best chums have all been killed or wounded. Their thoughts were always of dear old Rugby and the time the people of Rugby gave us when we were there. We think there is no town in England more patriotic than Rugby. I notice the trenches and dug-outs are named after some of the streets in Rugby : ‘Worcester Square ’ or ‘ Wood Street Cave,’ as two of them were called. We are having a good time in the Greek Hospital. They can’t do enough for you, but give me ‘ Ashlawn ’ for two months. All the wounded who were in the 87th Brigade who were in Rugby send their best wishes,” He concludes : “ If one of your readers has a musical instrument-an old one-stringed violin-I should be glad of it. My address is : Drummer P Jeffery, 1st K.O.S.B, 87th Brigade, 29th Division, Greek Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt.”

NEWBOLD-ON-AVON.

MR AND MRS DODSON, of Newbold, received news on Thursday that their son, Private Horace Dodson, of the 7th South Staffordshire Regiment (Infantry) was wounded in action at the Dardanelles on August 15th. Private Dodson is the youngest son of Mr Dodson, and joined the army soon after the war commenced. His older brother (William Dodson) was killed in France a short time ago. Much sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Dodson.

FROM A RUGBY MAN WITH THE R.E. AT THE FRONT.

“ I have just found a moment or so in which I will try to describe the course of things on the 30th and till Sunday evening, when we returned to our dug-outs about eight miles from the firing-line. We had just got into a very refreshing sleep after some tiring days preceding Friday, when we were woke up by an awful noise, as if all the guns in the world were at work. We rushed out of our dug-outs, when we joined an officer, and then to business. The devils were pouring burning liquid on our fellows, who had to retire into the supports, but not without a fight for it. This started at 2.30 a.m. Our section was carrying ammunition and bombs, and it was hell while it lasted. But it is curious while you are in it, you get so excited, and then you would like to rush over the parapet at them. This lot lasted till about 9 a.m. and a few had gone west but a few thousand Germans had paid the price. We had lost the crater but our General was determined to retake it that day, and we disposed of many of the enemy that afternoon with our artillery. Then the infantry charged, but to no purpose, as they found it too hot, as Fitz poured thousands of shells on them. We drove them out, but could not take the trench, because of shell fire. Just after midnight the same thing began again, and we were held in support, which is the proper thing for R.E’s. After the inferno had quietened down we had to go and repair parapets and carry wounded out. I don’t mind fighting at night, but it is rotten on a nice day, because it does not seem natural. What do you think of the Rugby D.C.M’s ; Stent deserved his, and he will be getting a V.C yet, if he does not stop a bullet.

We have some fine little dug-outs, and I have a nice canvas bed, and a couple of blankets. We live A1 in camp ; Fresh meat every day and plum duff ; fresh butter and bacon. The only thing they don’t supply is N.B stout.”

LOCAL WAR NOTES.

A recruiting campaign has been commenced on behalf of the Warwickshire Yeomanry, which is materially below strength.

Lieut-Col Viscount Hampden, C.M.G, who is well-known in Warwickshire hunting circles, has been attached to headquarter units as Brigade Commander.

Lieut S A Hunter, second son of Mr and Mrs T Hunter, of “ Elmhurst,” Hillmorton Road, was last week gazetted captain and appointed adjutant in the 4th West Riding Howitzer Brigade.

On Sunday, August 22nd, the Bilton Brass Band played selections in the Caldecott Park, and collected in aid of the local Red Cross Hospital the sum of £1 3s, which has been duly forwarded to the hospital.

Rifleman J Bird, of the K.R.R, who has recently been drafted to the front, has written to his mother, Mrs Harris, of 41 New Street, New Bilton, and, referring to life in the trenches, says : ” It is not half so dangerous as you would think. All you have to do is to keep your head down and your eyes open, and everything in the garden is lovely.”

In our issue last week we stated that Lce-Corpl Howard, of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, had been killed in action. It should have been Lce-Corpl Aris. His photograph appears on page 2 of this issue.

COMMISSION FOR MR McMURTRIE.

Mr B F McMurtrie. chief engineer for the Export Department of the B.T.H, has this week left Rugby to take up a commission in the R.F.A. Mr McMurtrie has been with the Company for a number of years, and has represented them in Japan.

NEW BILTON SOLDIER KILLED.

Mrs Fredk Lee, who is residing with Mr and Mrs Turner, 22 Campbell Street, New Bilton, has received official intimation from the War Office that her husband, Rifleman Fredk Lee, of the 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade, was killed in action on July 30th. Rifleman Lee, who was 22 years of age, was a native of Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex ; had resided at New Bilton for several years, and was employed by Messrs Willans & Robinson as a moulder. He enlisted on September 7th, and was married on April 28th last, proceeding to the front a few weeks afterwards. Much sympathy is expressed with his young widow.

FOUR SONS WITH THE COLOURS.

Mrs Iliffe, of 3 Lodge Road, Rugby, has now four sons serving with H.M Forces either by land or sea. The eldest, William, is in the Sherwood Foresters. He came home with his regiment from India in September, and has been at the front since November last. Herbert, the second son, is a sergeant in the Royal Garrison Artillery, and went out to Gibraltar in January. Arthur, the third son, has joined the Rifle Brigade, and is at the headquarters in Essex ; whilst Albert, the youngest, who is only 17, enlisted in the Royal Marines on Friday last week.

HOME ON SICK LEAVE.

Corpl Cecil Wood, of the 1st Royal Warwicks, has this week been spending a few days at his home in Campbell Street, New Bilton. He is by trade a printer, and was one of Messrs Frost & Sons’ employees who enlisted. About two months ago he was wounded in the chest by shrapnel. He spent a month in hospital in France and three weeks at a hospital in Essex, and is now nearly fit to return to active service. He was promoted to the rank of corporal at the front as the result, it is understood, of a bit of good work he accomplished ; but Corpl Wood is a modest soldier, and declines to say anything about it.

LCE-CORPL F KEELY, of the 1st Battalion King’s Royal Rifles, who was before the war employed in the pattern shop at the B.T.H Works, has been commended in their reports by his Commanding Officer and Brigade Commander to the Major-General commanding the 27th Division for distinguished conduct in the field.

RECRUITING AT RUGBY.

AGRICULTURAL SHOW DRAWN BLANK.

Recruiting has been very slack in Rugby during the past week. Despite the fact that there where no less than seven recruiting sergeants at the Warwickshire Show on Wednesday, not a single recruit was obtained, although there were present hundreds of eligible young men of fine physique, quite a number of whom treated the sergeants with very scant courtesy.

A pleasant contrast to this was the patriotism shown by a young man named E G Dodwell (a native of Buckinghamshire), who travelled from the Argentine Republic, where he held a good position as traffic inspector on the railway, to join the K.R.R Corps at Rugby. Other recruits during the week were :—J G Bromwich, S J Parker, and J Pursglove, R.W.R ; J Walker, Army Ordnance Corps ; and R Baines (band boy), Royal Scott Fusiliers.

 

Hitchcox, Clifford Earle. Died 27th Aug 1915

Private Clifford Earle Hitchcox was born in 1894 in Newbold-upon-Avon and was baptised at St. Botolph’s Church, Newbold-upon-Avon 22^nd September 1895. His parents were Walter C. and Mary Ann Hitchcox. Walter Hitchcox was a Railway Guard and the family were living at 96 Abbey Street Rugby.   Clifford was the 9^th of 12 children. On the 1911 census he is given as working as an engineers clerk.

Clifford was an Old Murrayian and a member of the School Rugby XV and a member of the running team, in which sports he was very successful.   He was also a member of the Holy Trinity Choir with his brother Bernard. After leaving school he worked for a time for B.T.H. Test Department and emigrated in 1912 to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada with his elder brother Bernard, leaving from Liverpool on the Empress of Britain, 14^th June 1912. They both enlisted with the 2^nd Contingent of the Canadians. After a few weeks in England during which he visited his parents in Rugby on short leave he was sent to the front with a draft to reinforce the Canadians after their heavy losses a few months before and at the time of his death he had been nearly there four months. Mr and Mrs Hitchcox received the news that Clifford had been killed the 27^th August 1915 from Clifford’s chum and chaplain, from whom they were given details of his death and added:

“In the evening Clifford was brought out with others and with his comrades round them by moonlight in our battalion cemetery, about a mile to the back of the trenches. Over the graves a cross will be erected, and marked and they will be cared for as much as possible. You will remember in your grief that Clifford died doing his duty bravely, as sons of British mothers do, and that will be some little consolation.”

His elder brother Edwin John had died of dysentery in the South African War.

A cousin of Clifford’s, Private Frank Handley of the 1^st Royal Warwicks had also recently been killed.

Private Clifford Earle Hitchcox

Service No. 77821

Regiment Canadian Infantry

Grave/Memorial Reference   ll. B. 4.

Cemetery/Memorial   Berks Cemetery Extension Hainault, Belgium

 

RUGBY REMEMBERS HIM

Norman, Herbert Benjamin. Died 25th Aug 1915

Private Bert Norman, full name Herbert Benjamin Norman, was born 1895 in Worcester, and he is always referred to as Bert.   His parents were Herbert and Emily Norman. His father was an Iron Moulder and his mother is given as a Gloveress living at 4, Vincent Road, Worcester in 1901. Between 1901 and 1911 the family moved to Rugby and were now residing at 50 Abbey Street Rugby. Bert’s father was now working for the B.T.H. Works. Bert attended Eastlands Council School and became Captain of the school football team and subsequently captain of the Old Eastlands Boys’ Club. On leaving school he was apprenticed to the moulding at B.T.H.Works.

He enlisted 25^th August 1914 and was with the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. He was killed as a result of an explosion of a German mine. In a letter to his father Capt. A. Ponsonby explained the circumstances of how Bert had died.

“It is with the greatest regret that I have to write and tell you that your son met his death in the explosion of a mine crater on the 25^th, and was buried by a Church on England chaplain in a very nice cemetery, which contains the bodies of many soldiers who have died in the neighbourhood.

He was the sentry on duty, when at about 4.30 in the morning, there was a sudden eruption of the ground, and a large portion on earth completely covered him, but owing to the altered formation of the ground he and two other men could not be found for a long time. In any case death was absolutely instantaneous owing to the great weight of earth that fell on him. I am so dreadfully sorry it should have happened to him, as we all looked upon him as an excellent young soldier and a most cheerful companion.

I hope I may be permitted to offer to you and the other members of your family my deepest sympathy and that of the members of C Company in your most terrible bereavement. May it be some slight comfort to you to know that he died fighting for his country, and that he is regretted by all of us, his comrades and friends.”

Bert’s last letter home states that the front of the trench had been blown in – an incident that had made him feel rather nervous – and is evident he met his death a few days later by a similar mishap.   He is buried in the Guards cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France.

August 25^th 1915 the day he was killed was the anniversary of his enlistment, he was 20 years old.

Private Bert. Norman. Service No. 11901

Regiment Oxford and Bucks Infantry

Grave/Memorial Reference ll. E. 14

Cemetery/Memorial Guards Cemetery Windy Corner Cuinchy

 

RUGBY REMEMBERS HIM

Cockerill, William Thomas. Died 25th Aug 1915

William Thomas COCKERILL (1879-1915)

William Thomas Cockerill was born in 1879 in Hanley Staffordshire. It is not known what the family were doing in Staffordshire as the rest of the children were born in Hillmorton. Thomas’s father Walter, a plasterer, married Martha Brown at Hillmorton Parish Church on 28th June 1875. Martha died the following year and Walter married Elizabeth Goode in 1877. By 1881 the family lived in Upper Street, Hillmorton. Walter died in 1884 at the age of 35 and in 1890 Elizabeth had married Edward King. By 1891 the family were living at 19 Plowman Street, Rugby and by 1901 they had moved to Gas Street, Rugby.

Thomas was educated at St Matthews School and worked as a bricklayer’s labourer in Rugby. By 1901 he had left home and joined the 1st Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He served in the Boer War, receiving two medals. After leaving the army, he remained in the reserves. He settled in Sheffield, where he married Nellie Pearson in 1906 and by 1911 was working as a labourer for an armour plate manufacturer (Vickers Ltd). He and Nellie had two children, Walter and Lewis. A third child was born later.

When WW1 started Thomas was called up (private, no. 6039, 1st Bn, KOYNI) and in November 1914 he was wounded. He came home, but on recovery returned to the front. On 25th August 1915 he died from wounds caused by the bursting of a shell.

He was buried at Etaples Military Cemetery.

An inscription on his gravestone reads: “He died that we might live, From Wife and Children”

 

RUGBY REMEMBERS HIM

Forehead, Thomas William. Died 24th Aug 1915

Thomas William Forehead was born 13 April 1890 at Leicester. His parents were Thomas and Julia Forehead and 1891 and on the 1891 census were dwelling at St. George Street, Leicester with his grandmother, Mary Satchell, a widow, both Thomas’s parents were in the shoe industry. His father was a shoe machinist and his mother was a shoe clicker. On the 1901 census, they are still in Leicester but residing at 84, St Andrews Street Leicester. By 1911, Thomas is in Rugby working as a hairdresser and is lodging with John Cave, a hairdresser, and his wife Agnes at 148 Railway Terrace, Rugby.

Thomas married Lydia Maria Dobson in 1913 and a daughter, Winifred Dora Adelaide, was born in November 1913. At that time they were living at 150 Railway Terrace, Rugby.

He enlisted at Rugby and served with the South Staffordshire Regiment, and became a Corporal and according to the Rugby Advertiser was a Lance Corporal at the time of his death. The first report of his death states that he died on the ‘Franconia’ en route to England on August 24^th 1915 from wounds received in action at the Dardanelles and that he was in the employ of Mr. John Cave, Hairdresser, of Rugby, and that he was the son-in-law of Mr. Thomas Dobson, job-master, of Railway Terrace.   The following week The Rugby Advertiser gave a fuller detail of Lance Corporal Forehead final hours. A Rev. A. P. Johnson of Woodbridge wrote to Mrs Forehead to inform her that Corpl. Forehead was wounded in the abdomen at the Dardanelles, and brought down to Mudros Harbour in the IsIand of Hemnos in the Aegean sea. He was transferred to the ship ‘Franconia’ on which the writer was a chaplain and passed away 24th Aug. The funeral took place in a cemetery by Mudros Harbour. The gentleman concluded’ It does seem so hard to lose him and I do pray God to comfort you and all who loved him, with all my sympathy for the loss of a brave man.’

Rugby Advertiser 26^th August 1916

‘In Memoriam – Forehead:- In memory of Lance Corporal T. W. Forehead who died of wounds in Gallipoli on August 24 1915. From his loving wife, daughter, father-in-law, mother-in-law and family.’

Thomas’s wife Lydia became Mrs. Patrick Farrell in 1918.

Thomas William Forehead Service Number 10927

Buried at East Mudros Military Cemetery, Grave/Memorial No. Ll. H. 134

 

RUGBY REMEMBERS HIM

Osborn, George Henry. Died 21st Aug 1915

George Henry Osborn(e), died 21 August 1915

George Henry Osborn was born in the last months of 1892, he was baptised 11th January 1893 at Holy Trinity Church Rugby and the family were residing in Wood Street Rugby. His parents were Reuben and Mary Ann Osborn. He was the eldest of two children. His sister Alice May was 2 years younger.   According to census the family were living at 47, Cambridge Street, Rugby in 1901 and in 1911 were living in Windsor Street Number 31. George Henry had been an engine cleaner in 1911 then a fireman working for the L. & N. W. Railway station four years, and had been employed by Willans & Robinson for 3 years when he enlisted.

George Henry served with the Royal Field Artillery, 92^nd Battalion, 17^th Brigade, 29^th Division as a gunner and died of dysentery in the Dardanelles. A brief entry was given of his death in the Rugby Advertiser 18^th September 1915 and a fuller obituary was written in the following week’s Rugby Advertiser dated 25^th September 1915. At the time of his death George was 23 years of age and unmarried. He had attended Murray School and was an excellent footballer. He was a member of the earliest teams to win the Elementary Schools’ Rugby Shield and he played for Rugby 2^nd XV which was one of the successful teams in the Midland Junior Cup Competition.

Writing home August 11^th he said ‘We had a lively and rough time of it a few days ago, and it played on us a bit; but things are a little quiet now. People in England do not realise what war means, and before we can hope to win this war every young man will have to join.’

In a letter to a lady friend he said ‘How glad I shall be when the war is over. It has changed me being out here. – You think more about God than you have ever done before. If I am spared to get back to Old England I shall try to live up to what I am doing out here.’

George Henry Osborne enlisted in Rugby and was a Gunner, Service Number 11034.   He died of dysentery 21 August 1915 and he is buried in East Mudros Military Cemetery, Greece. Grave/Memorial Reference ll. K. 183.

 

RUGBY REMEMBERS HIM

21st Aug 1915. Gas, Boiling Oil & Tar

GAS, BOILING OIL, & TAR.

Rifleman A Pitham, of the Rifle Brigade, writing to his wife in Rugby under date August 2nd says :-

“ I have no doubt you will think something has happened to me. I am very lucky to be alive, as we have lost nearly all our battalion. It was like hell where we were. We got in the trenches at one o’clock in the morning, and at three we had a surprise attack in which the Germans used gas, boiling-oil and tar. They quickly wiped out a company of ours, and then it was every man for himself. They captured a line, of our trenches, and we had orders that we were to re-take them in the afternoon. Before that they tried to rush us again, but we were ready for them this time. They came on us in masses, and we must have killed thousands, as it was impossible to miss, and what with the rifle and artillery fire it was awful. The charge started at three o’clock, but not one man reached the Germans, and out of my platoon, only four got back. I cannot describe it all, as my mind is not settled down yet. We were without food and water for 60 hours, and when we were coming out of the trenches we were shelled again, and lost more men. I fetched three snipers down, and my ” bag” must have been a dozen or two. I will tell you more when I write again, as I feel too [?] to do anything. We are in a camp at present and all of us are suffering from nerves. We were up against the Prussian Guards again for the third time. All of them are over 6ft high, and they are just as good as us for fighting. They never run away. I received your most welcome letter and parcel the day I came out of the trenches, and you bet I enjoyed the contents. I am hoping to see you all soon.”

WITH THE 8th ROYAL WARWICKS.

The subjoined extracts are taken from a letter written by a member of the 8th Battalion R.W.R to Mr W J Torrance, of Warwick Street, Rugby :-

“We first went into the trenches with the 1st Battalion near — ; but we were only there for a short time, and nothing much happened. We then marched to — the only town we have been in since landing here. From there we marched to the trenches opposite — here the Germans are now on the top of a ridge, and we are at the bottom, so we had a large number of casualties from rifle fire, because we could be seen as soon as we left the trenches. We were there eleven weeks, and were working night and day nearly all the while. . . . It was digging, digging, digging. . . . We had no big attack against us, except on the flanks, and these we managed to beat back, and the only Germans who came into our trenches came in as prisoners. One poor fellow (he was brave, no doubt) tried to lead a party of bomb throwers in, but he had at least seven bayonets in him, so he didn’t get very far. When the Hill 60 job came off we were on the right flank of the Hill, and did not take part in the main attack. We were responsible for a feint attack on the right to prevent the Germans bringing their artillery up. . . . When the mines under the Hill were exploded they shook the earth for miles around, and broke windows four and six miles away. After that little lot we moved back to our old trenches. In all we lost 260 men in our first nine weeks, so we considered ourselves very lucky, although even that total sounds, and is, awful enough. The writer mentions that they then proceeded to another part of the front, and continues : “ We were in the trenches four days and four in the reserve. We lost quite a lot of men considering what we had to do : we were just holding the line, in some parts 25 yards from the Germans, and we lost over 30 men in the four days. Once again we marched – General says his men can march anywhere ; and, by Jove ! we have to. . . . It was wet nearly all the time, so you can imagine it was not over-comfortable.”

“ E ” COMPANY IN THE TRENCHES

DEAR SIR,—The following may be of interest to our friends at Rugby who don’t hear too much of the old “ E ” Company in France :—

We started for the trenches last Saturday about 4-30 p.m with full pack, arriving there about 11 p.m, the last hour of which we were up to our knees at times in mud and water. Things went fairly well till Monday afternoon, when a sharp storm made everything very greasy, but at 8.30 we had a thunderstorm—the worst I have ever seen in my life, or wish to see again. It lasted about one and a-half hours, and we were quickly over shoe-top in water and in places up to the knees. The boards over the drain holes in the trench bottom were floating about on the water, and we very often found ourselves in the hole up to our waists. But it was not very cold, and the fun commenced next morning at 3.30 a.m, when we started to bale the water out of the trench. Some of the men, with their trousers rolled up to their knees, with a small bucket and spade, reminded us of the children at the seaside. But those uncivilised people called Germans were also very busy in the same way, and we could see them throwing water over the top of their trench. This lasted till about 6 a.m, by which time we had got all the water out. The men were in the most cheerful spirits, and I don’t think I have ever seen them more so since we landed in France. Then came breakfast—the meal we look for most of all, as it is cooked and brought up to us by another company. As soon as that is finished we get to sleep—all who can—but these are the wettest trenches we have been in for some time. Some trenches are fine places, where you can cook your own food and have it when you like. We saw in the paper some of the old “ E ” Company had a good time at Stoneleigh Park, and we should very much like to have been with them, as some of us have had some jolly times over there. But we are here to do our bit for dear Old England, and hope we shall get back to have more prize shoots yet and keep up the good name we have always held. From

ONE OF THE OLD “ E ” COMPANY,

NOW “ C ” COMPANY.

August 14th, 1915.

RUGBY FORTRESS COMPANY OF ROYAL ENGINEERS.

The Rugby Fortress Company, Royal Engineers, continues to make good progress, and the men are looking forward with eagerness to the time when they will be called upon to play their part in the great world war. Under the able instruction of Compy-Sergt-Major Handley, the men have practically mastered their infantry drill ; and arms having been received from headquarters, they are now receiving instruction in musketry.

A large quantity of tools and stores was recently received from the Ordnance Department, and these, with the spars, castings, &c, lent by local firms, have enabled the Company to make considerable progress in what is, after all in their case, the most important part of their training-engineering work. The field adjoining the Howitzer Battery Drill Hall now presents the appearance of a miniature battlefield, and earth-works of all descriptions have been thrown up. These consist of dug-outs, gun pits, fire trenches with traverses, zig-zag fire trenches (both constructed with the idea of preventing enfilading fire), second line trenches, communication trenches, and saps. The whole work has been very skilfully carried out by the Company, under the supervision of Sergt-Major Blackler and Sergt Jacobs, and that such excellent results have been obtained after so short a training is proof of the excellent material of which the Company is composed. A visit to the ground is quite an education, and anyone who avails himself of the opportunity of looking round the works will gain an insight into the way in which the great war is being waged, such as it would be almost impossible to obtain otherwise than by enlisting and going to see for oneself.

TOBACCO AND CIGARETTES FOR FRIENDS AT THE FRONT.

THE BEST WAY TO SUPPLY THEM.

DEAR SIR,—A committee has recently been formed in Rugby to enable those wishing to send tobacco and cigarettes to our soldiers at the front and (in co-operation with the Prisoner of War Fund) to British prisoners of war in Germany, to do so at a cost much below the retail price, and carriage free.

The scheme, which is similar to that adopted widely elsewhere, is as follows :—Anyone wishing to send a parcel of tobacco, or cigarettes, or both, to a friend at the front, or to a prisoner of war, goes to one of those tobacconists here who have agreed to work the scheme, and gives the order, the name and address of the friend, also her or her own name (if wished) and pays the necessary amount. The information and cash is then forwarded by the receiver of the order to the wholesale firm, and this, firm at once despatches the parcel free and out of bond (thus saving the tobacco duty), the result being that about three times as much can be sent for the same money as if it had been bought in the usual way. I may add that while tobacco and cigarettes appear to be greatly wanted at the Dardanelles and in prisoners of war camps in Germany, our soldiers in France are said to be amply supplied.

In conclusion, I may say that the committee is a representative one, as will be seen from the list of names appended, and it is at their request, and as chairman of the committee that I now write to give the above information to your readers.

Those tobacconists in the town who are kindly falling in with the scheme—or already working it—will exhibit posters in their windows to say so.—I am, Yours faithfully,

A E DONKIN.

Names of Committee :—Miss M Cook, Mrs Kempson, Mrs C Nickalls, and Messrs Aviss, D E Danby, C J Elkington, G H Gauntley, A Hand, J Hand, W H Linnell, J Scrivener, the Rev D E Shorto, H Tarbox, A White, and M E Wratislaw.

LOCAL WAR NOTES.

Q.M.S Painter, of the Rugby Howitzer Battery, has this week been home for a few days’ leave from the front.

W Patchett, employed by Messrs Frost & Son, has joined the Warwickshire Yeomanry, and left Rugby for the headquarters at Warwick on Tuesday.

Sergt J Somers, of the Inniskilling Fusiliers, who was billeted in Corbet Street during the time the regiment was at Rugby, has won the V.C. for distinguished conduct at the Dardanelles.

7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment : Lieut H N Smith to be temporary captain, Second-Lieut A G Pirie to be temporary lieutenant, said L B O’Hara to be second-lieutenant.

Amongst Rugby soldiers connected with the B T.H Works who have been home on leave this week were : Farrier Stokes of the Rugby Howitzer Battery, and Sergt Whitehouse, of the Rifle Brigade.

The parents of Rifleman J H Sims, 8th King’s Royal Rifles, have received official intimation that he was killed in action on July 30th. Before enlisting he was apprenticed in the Winding Department at the B.T.H.

Corporal N Edyvean-Walker, who since September last has been serving with the 19th (Service) Royal Fusiliers, has been gazetted to be temporary second-lieutenant in the same regiment to date from 1st July last.

Mr Eric Harraden Glover, son of Mr Frank Glover, of Marton, has been nominated for a commission in the 220th Fortress Company, Royal Engineers, at Rugby, and in command of Caps Kempson, formerly a master of Rugby School. Mr Glover is himself an Old Rugbeian, and has just completed his course of training at Faraday House as an electrical engineer.

Lance-Corpl Howard, of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, after having several very narrow escapes, was killed in action on August 6th. He wrote to his mother, who lives in Sun Street, Rugby, on August 5th, telling her about the lucky way in which he had escaped, but on the following day he met his end. He enlisted a week or two after war was declared. Two of his brothers are in the service—one in France and the other under orders to go.

Mr Joseph Hewson, mason, Harrington, Cumberland, would be greatly obliged to any officers or soldiers recently returned from the Dardanelles, or to friends of those still at the front there, who could give him, or Mr A Bird, 11 Claremont Road, Rugby, way information respecting his son, Jonathan Hewson, corporal, 1st Border Regiment, who has been missing since the 9th of May. He is believed to have been engaged in the trenches after disembarking, and the only information to hand is that he is missing.

CAPTAIN COATES UNWELL.

Capt G H D Coates, who at the time he received his commission was manager at Lloyds Bank, Rugby, and president of the Rugby Chamber of Trade, we regret to learn is unwell in a hospital at Cairo. A rumour has been circulated to the effect that Capt Coates has been wounded, but this is not true.

AN UNFOUNDED RUMOUR.

During the past week or two a rumour has been circulated to the effect that Rifleman J Lewis, of the 7th King’s Royal Rifles, whose home is at 72 Oxford Street, Rugby, had been killed. We are glad to be able to state that this is without foundation. Rifleman Lewis is at the base in France, and in a short communication received by his wife this week he states that he is quite well.

WOUNDED RUGBY SOLDIER.

Pte Harold George Skinner, whose father and sister live at 35 Lodge Road, Rugby, has been home this week suffering from a contused back, caused by being buried beneath sand bags, which were dislodged by the explosion of a German mine. He is in the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, and was one of those who enlisted from the B.T.H Works. He is still far from fit, but was due to return to headquarters on Thursday.

MR H S SALTER’S SON RECEIVES A COMMISSION.

Mr Harry Salter, eldest son of Mr H S Salter, of Lawford Road, Rugby, has been gazetted second-lieutenant in the 3rd Leicestershire Regiment—a reserve force just being formed. On August 10th last year Mr Salter, jun, enlisted in the 4th Leicestershire Regiment, and went to the front in February, and whilst at the war he was made a lance-corporal. He received his commission on August 7th, and proceeded to headquarters at Leicester on Thursday after spending a few days at home.

HOME FROM SOUTH AFRICA.

Mr Harold Loverock, second son of Mr Lewis Loverock, “ Greylands,” Hillmorton Road, has recently returned home from South Africa. He was in the Natal Light Horse, a part of General Botha’s Army, and before the surrender of German South-West Africa fell for a short time into the hands of the enemy. There were about 70 prisoners taken, but after a few hours the Colonial troops commenced to shell the enemy’s position, and the prisoners of war were advised to run for their lives, which they did. The majority escaped unhurt, but unfortunately there were a number of casualties amongst them. Mr Harold Loverock is now endeavouring to secure a commission in some branch of H.M Army.

CASUALTIES AMONGST “ OLD BOYS ” OF ST MATTHEW’S, RUGBY.

The old scholars of St Matthew’s, Boys’ School have suffered badly in recent engagements. Corporal G S Rowbottom, of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, who, as recorded on page 2 of this issue, succumbed to wounds last week, making the sixth old St Matthew’s boy to give his life in his country’s service. Lce-Corpl A Ashworth, Pte A Blundy, and Pte R J Skinner, of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, and Sapper E R Ladbrooke, of the Royal Engineers, have been wounded. Pte H Favell, of the Coldstream Guards, is suffering from shock from a huge shell which exploded near him and buried him, but he was, fortunately, rescued by his comrades.

A COINCIDENCE.

Mr F Evans, Abbey Street, Rugby, has received some interesting notes from his son Lance-Corpl S R H Evans, of the 15th Hussars. He mentions as a coincidence that his unit has been billeted in the Old Chateau in which its progenitor was billeted at the time of the Battle of Waterloo. He went out with the first lot, and has been there some time. He was in the retirement from Mons, and had some very narrow escapes. On one occasion a piece of shrapnel lodged in his tobacco-box, and in another affair a bullet passed through his water-bottle. He and others were once chased ten miles by Germans, and had to make a forced march of 25 miles altogether to re-join their unit.

NARROW ESCAPE OF A RUGBY OFFICER.

Details came to hand last week-end of the unfortunate affair at Jhansi, Calcutta, when two fanatical Sowars of the 8th Cavalry ran amok, and killed Major Gale and Lieut Courtenay, of the 8th Cavalry Corps, Capt Cooper, of the 5th West Kent Regiment, and a bombardier. After shooting Major Gale in the back and killing Lieut Courtenay with their swords, the murderers made off towards the officers’ mess, apparently with the intention of killing Col Chaplin, who is a son of Mrs Chaplin, Bilton Road, Rugby. A Sikh galloped off to the mess to warn Col Chaplin, and when the two sowars arrived he was standing in the porch in front of the mess. He called upon the two men to throw down then arms, and while he was remonstrating with them one of them, without warning, raised his rifle and deliberately fired at the Colonel, missing him by a few inches only. Col Chaplin and the Indian officers present were unable to offer armed resistance, as up to that time no one had been able to procure a rifle and ammunition. The murderers then went towards the Artillery lines, where they wounded Capt Hudson, killed a bombardier, and wounded a sergeant ; and finally brought down Capt Cooper with a shot in the back, killing him instantly. By this time Col Chaplin and Capt Kay had procured rifles and ammunition, and simultaneously a number of the men appeared with their rifles and opened fire on the murderers, who were both shot dead. The crime was due to sheer fanaticism.

RECRUITING AT RUGBY.

The following have enlisted at Rugby Drill Hall during the past week :- Royal Warwickshire Regiment, W Dale and A Healey ; Royal Field Artillery, R Rainbow ; Seaforth Highlanders, J McNeil ; Royal Welsh Fusiliers, A S Kirby ; Rugby Fortress Company, J Gabriel.

DR HOSKYN LEAVES RUGBY FOR ACTIVE SERVICE.

On Wednesday morning Dr Hoskyn left Rugby by an early train for Aldershot, prior to taking up duties at the front. He is the divisional surgeon of the St John Ambulance Brigade, and the members assembled in full force on the platform to give him a hearty send off. Dr Hoskyn was quite taken by surprise at this expression of good will, and in a few words to the men he counselled them to keep the work going during the winter, and announced his intention of resuming his duties in connection with the brigade when he returned from the war.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

A WELCOME PAPER.

DEAR SIR,—I take the greatest of pleasure in writing you these few lines. I have just received your most welcome paper, dated August 3rd. I have it sent out to me regularly every week, and I can assure you it enables us to pass many dull hours away. I think this is all I have to say now. Wishing the old paper the best of luck, I will now have an enjoyable evening reading the latest local news.—I remain, Your most faithful reader,

R L S HEALEY, Pte.,

9th Field Bakery.

(of 5 Abbey Street Rugby).

 

Rowbottom, George Stanley. Died 12th Aug 1915

GEORGE STANLEY ROWBOTTOM

10443, Acting Corporal Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry

Died from wounds 12 August 1915 aged 21

Buried Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, Belgium

Rugby Advertiser 21.8.1915

George was the second son of Clement Harry and Mary Lucy (nee Prescott) Rowbottom, born at Brigg in Lincolnshire, his father’s birthplace.  His birth was registered at Glanford Brigg RD in Dec quarter of 1893.  He had an elder brother James, also born in Brigg, and two younger sisters, Marjorie and Ena, who were both born in Rugby.    His parents were married in 1890 in Caistor RD, Lincolnshire.

His father had a hardware shop in Lawford Road, working on his own account, assisted in 1911 by George.  Clement recorded in 1911 that he and his wife had been married for 20 years, and had four children, all alive.  In the 1901 census the family are at number 22, and at number 44 in 1911, but whether it was the same premises renumbered is not known.   The family must have moved to Rugby some time between 1894 and 1901.  Clement was still in business at the same address in Kelly’s Directory for 1932, he died in 1937.

George enlisted at Rugby, and at his death was Acting Corporal in the 5^th Battalion of the Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry.  He was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.  He died of wounds on 12 August 1915, and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, Belgium.

 

RUGBY REMEMBERS HIM

14th Aug 1915. Experiences of a Rugby Red Cross Nurse

EXPERIENCES OF A RUGBY RED CROSS NURSE IN A LARGE BASE HOSPITAL.

“ SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE.”

The first intimation that I was to be sent to work abroad was received on Friday, May 7th. The telegram read: “ Wanted for France, Tuesday. Wire if available.” Having replied by a wire in the affirmative, I next day received orders to report myself by noon on Monday at Devonshire House (the headquarters of the British Red Cross Society) previous to proceeding “ somewhere in France ” on the following day.

I left Rugby early Monday morning, and arrived at Devonshire House, and found 29 other V.A.D’s assembled there, all for the same purpose. We then want to 83 Pall Mall, where Lord Onslow issued our Army certificates, brassards, identity discs and numbers ; then a visit to the War Office, where we signed many forms and documents, and received final instructions to be at Victoria Station next morning at 7.30 a.m. On arrival we had to register our luggage and have camp kit served out to us from the War Office.

A special saloon had been reserved on the Folkestone train, and thus on a glorious May day a party of 30 V.A.D’s left London for an unknown destination in charge of a military sister.

Our embarkation at Folkestone and arrival at Boulogne were full of interest. Being “ Army Medical Service,” and not mere civilians, we did not undergo a Customs examination, but were conveyed from the station by motor ambulances to a hotel, where we spent the night. We soon realised that we were in a country where war was raging. A convoy of wounded was being conveyed to a hospital ship in the harbour. Some of the men looked quite cheerful, while others bore unmistakable traces of pain and hardship.

The night was spent in Boulogne—one cannot say in peace. One’s advice to any other nurse contemplating active service is to provide oneself with a supply of Keating’s powder. Indeed, I feel sure that Keating’s Company would be pleased to supply it free of change did they know what a boon it would be !

At Boulogne our party of 30 became divided, some going one way and some another. The part to which I belonged left next morning at 7 a.m, and our destination was reached at 3.30 p.m. You can tell how quickly we had travelled when I tell you that we had only come about 60 miles. At the station we were met by one of the sisters from the hospital and two motor ambulances. Our party again became divided, six of us going to a large hotel converted into a hospital, which stands on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the sea, and the other six to a hospital under canvas.

When shown our quarters, which were large and empty, we set to work and unpacked our camp kit, putting up our chairs and bedstead. I have now learnt to sleep on my bed, which seemed very narrow at first.

Our duties began next moving. The daily programme (including Sundays) is :-Reveille at 6.30 a.m, breakfast at 7 a.m, on duty on the wards 7.30 a.m. The first duty on entering the wards is to tidy the beds and lockers ; then boil the instruments and have everything ready for the medical officer when he appeared at 9 a.m. The dressings are then begun, and these go on all the morning, the V.A.D waiting on the medical officer and sister. Some at the small dressings and fomentations are done by the V.A.D herself, but the extent of this naturally depends on the number of patients in the ward at the time. In the surgical ward where I work there are 101 beds and a staff of two sisters and myself.

When the hospital is very full dressings go on practically all day. In the evening the V.A.D has to make the beds, take the temperatures, make lemonade and beverages, wash the dressing bowls and instruments, while the sister does the dressings.

Dinner is at 8.10 p.m. and lights out at 10.30. When in a heavy ward with serious cases the mental and physical strain is considerable. Sisters out here say that the V.A.D’s have stood the sights remarkably well, and not one of them has fainted at a dressing yet !

One has not time to get tired of any particular dressing, as patients go to England immediately they are fit to stand the journey, unless the wound is slight enough for them to pass on to a convalescent camp en route for the front. It is rather disappointing not seeing the results of an interesting case, but the men are so pleased to be going to “ Blighty ” (as England is called by the Tommies) that one can but rejoice with them.

From what I have heard, on the whole the V.A.D is a success out here. There is so much in the way of cutting dressings, making gowns as well as ward work that can be done just as well by V.A.D as a trained nurse, and relieves a sister for doing the dressings and other important work that only she can do.

A V.A.D signs on for six months’ service abroad, in addition to one month on probation. This can be extended at the expiration of the time. The conditions governing her employment are the same as for the Q.A.I.M.N.S.

LOCAL WAR NOTES.

Lance-Corpl G S Rowbottom, younger son of Mr C H Rowbottom, of Lawford Road, Rugby, has been promoted to acting corporal. He is in the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, and enlisted in August last year. He has been at the front about three months, and was with the regiment during the heavy bombardment in the neighbourhood of Ypres, so has experienced a good amount of modem warfare.

Lance-Corpl W E Wiggins, of the Northants Yeomanry, son of Mr W Wiggins, of Rochbierie, Hillmorton, Road, has this week visited his home on short leave after nine months in the trenches. Lance-Corpl Wiggins, who returned to the front on Thursday, states that his regiment has been in a number of warm corners, notably, at Neuve Chapelle, but has given a good account of itself ; and, except for the engagement mentioned, has suffered very few casualties.

George College, eldest son of Mr W W College, 48 Church Street, Rugby, enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery in June last, and is with the 3/2nd North Midland Brigade. As he showed great proficiency at mathematics, he was quickly promoted to be corporal, and he has now been made quartermaster-sergeant, and ranks as a warrant officer. Not bad for a recruit of three months’ standing, and he and his parents are to be congratulated on his quick promotion. He is an old Murray School boy.

During the past week a rumour—which has since been found to be baseless—to the effect that Sergt George Fiddler (son of Mr and Mrs F Fiddler, 15 Plowman Street, and brother of Rifleman H Fiddler, whose death we announced recently) had been killed, was freely circulated in the town. Sergt Fiddler, who enlisted in the 7th K.R.R early in the war, has written to his wife stating that he is in hospital suffering from a nervous breakdown, and the report doubtless arose from the fact that a number of letters and parcels had been returned.

SAPPER E R LADBROOK WOUNDED.

Sapper Ernest Roland Ladbrook, of the Royal Engineers, has written to his parents, Mr and Mrs J W Ladbrook, of 377 Clifton Road, Rugby, stating that he was wounded in the right leg and foot during a fierce bombardment on July 30th. An operation was performed on Sunday, August 1st, and the unfortunate young man is now an inmate of the General Hospital, Etaples, France, Sapper Ladbrook, who is 22 years of age, enlisted at the commencement of the war, previous to which he was employed by Messrs Willans & Robinson as a turner and fitter.

ANOTHER BILTON SOLDIER KILLED.

Mr and Mrs J Goadby, Magnet Road, Bilton, received the sad information from an officer of the King’s Royal Rifles that their son, Pte George Goadby, was killed in action on Saturday, August 7th. Pte Goadby, who was a bricklayer by trade and 24 years of age, joined Kitchener’s Army in September, and, with a number of other young men from this neighbourhood, became attached to the K.R.R’s. Much sympathy is felt in the village with Mr and Mrs Goadby and family in their loss.

He was a member of the Club, of which for a time he also acted is secretary ; also the Cricket Club and the Working-Men’s Club, and was generally respected in the village. He went out with his regiment to France a little more than three months ago, and since then he has been invalided and spent a month in hospital at the base, from which he was discharged only a short time before he met his end.

RUGBY FOOTBALLER WOUNDED.

Lance-Corpl Albert Ashworth, of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, has been wounded in the knee and sent to an English hospital. His mother, who lives at 355 Clifton Road, Rugby, received a card, posted at Dover on Wednesday, in which he stated he had fine time crossing the Channel, and hoped soon to be all right. According to information supplied by a comrade, the injury was caused by the bursting of a “ Trench mortar,” part of the exploded shell striking the knee, but the relatives have not received any direct information as to the nature of the wounds. Previous to enlisting Lance-Corpl Ashworth played full back for Rugby 2nd XV.

HOME FROM THE TRENCHES.

Sergt W J Bryant, of the Rugby Infantry Company, is at his home in York Street on a few days’ leave. He left the trenches on Sunday, and arrived in Rugby on Tuesday, but has to return almost immediately. He says that the Rugby Territorials are now occupying trenches taken from the Germans by the French, and are contriving to make themselves as comfortable as possible. The men, though almost constantly under fire, are reported to be fit and well. Their trenches are in places 10ft deep, and, in addition, there are dug-outs, which have been made bomb proof, and bear evidence of much time and effort in their preparation.

A UNIQUE ADDRESS.

Mr James Renshaw, of the Black Horse Inn, Castle Street, has recently received a postcard from the front bearing a unique address. The card, which is from an Old Rugbeian, Quarter-Master-Sergeant A J Dodd, of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, bears Mr Renshaw’s name, under which is drawn a black horse, followed by the word “ Inn,” and then a “ Castle ” Street ; the last line being taken up by the representation of a Rugby football, across which is written “ Rugby, Warwickshire, England.” The writer states that the address was “ drawn in the trenches under hellish shell fire,” and the ingenious and well-executed design is a remarkable illustration of the way in which the gallant lads at the front relieve the monotony of their long spells in the trenches.

RECRUITING AT RUGBY.

Recruiting has been somewhat slack in Rugby during the past week, and the following have been attested :—R G Webster and C W Kirtland, R.A.M.C ; H T Cross, C Berry, and A E Turner, Rifle Brigade ; F W Reynolds, Northants Regiment ; C W Davenport, Coldstream Guards.