DUNCHURCH.
DEATH OF MR. R. P. POWELL.—Dr. Powell has received a cable announcing the death on July 19th, of his eldest son, Mr. Richard Bruce Powell, in Australia, from pneumonia following on influenza. Mr. Powell had only recently returned to Australia for demobilisation, having served in the Australian Forces since the commencement of the war. He went through the hardships of the Gallipoli expedition, was wounded, and for many months was a prisoner of war, and the privations he suffered doubtless undermined his constitution. His brother, Mr. John Powell, is on his way to Australia to be demobilised. Both brothers were farming in the Commonwealth, and when war broke out, only a few months after their arrival, promptly enlisted. The sympathy of the whole parish goes out to Dr. and Mrs. Powell in their sad loss.
DR AND MRS. POWELL gave, on Monday evening last, at the Village Hall, a most delightful entertainment to the returned soldiers and their wives. Tea and refreshments were served, and Mrs. Nelson Harness, Mrs. Martin, Miss Barnwell, Dr Powell, and Mrs. Charles Powell, sang capital songs. A number of the school girls, under the direction of Miss Byers and her staff, gave some charming tableaux, representing the various nations comprising the Allies, and concluding with a particularly beautiful picture of Peace. Mrs. Haselwood and Mrs. Martin gave appropriate music white the tableaux were being shown. All through the war Mrs. Powell has done much for the soldiers’ wives and children. From time to time they have met at her house, and this concluding gathering, when happily most of the husbands were able to be present, was a fitting and very much appreciated climax to the series.
BRETFORD.
MONS STAR.—Mr. J. Castle, who went out to France on September 11th, 1914, has received the Mons Star. He was wounded near Armentieres. He is still feeling the effects of the bad wound he received in the leg.
RECOGNITION OF SOLDIERS.—A meeting was held in the Church Room, on Friday evening. Mr. J. E. Wilkins was elected chairman. Mr. Alcock said it would be nice for each soldier to receive some little memento from the villagers to show their appreciation. It was unanimously resolved to present each soldier and sailor with a framed photograph of himself. A subscription list was started.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE PARISH CHURCHYARD MEMORIAL
ANOTHER PROTEST.
SIR,—I should like to express my deep regret, both as a member of the Church of England and also an inhabitant of Rugby, at the proposed memorial to be placed in the Parish Churchyard to the memory of our fallen soldiers and sailors. We worship not a dead Christ of the Cross, but a living Christ. By all means let us have a memorial to those brave men who have given their lives for their King and Country, but do not let it be one in direct opposition to the teaching of the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer.—Yours etc., M. E. HARDING.
28 Vicarage Road, Rugby.
THE PROPOSED WAR MEMORIAL.
SIR.—The questions asked by Mr. Halliwell in his letter to Mr. Morson that also appeared in your last issue respecting the proposed Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Institute as part of a war memorial, are extremely appropriate, and it is to be hoped they will receive an answer from the authorities, as it is most important that the scheme should be made quite clear on the points raised, especially the first. At the time of the armistice rejoicings I ventured to suggest through your columns the formation of a fund to be called “ The Common Good ” (possibly a better name could be found), and I now ask to be allowed to point out how that proposal will, I think, pass most of Mr. Halliwell’s test questions. It may be remembered that the idea was to entrust the sum raised to the Public Trustee for investment, the income to be paid to the Chairman of the Urban District Council to be expended as desired by the Council on any object that cannot be charged upon rates. Mr. Halliwell’s first question would be answered by the fact that the fund would exist as long as the nation itself, and the second that the disposal of the income would continue in the hands of the elected representatives of the town, who could (5) subscribe for membership of clubs or other institutions, or (6) assist the wives and families of soldiers or sailors who either have “ done their bit”— a big “ bit ” many of them—or (7) sacrificed their lives in the nation’s cause. The Council could also make some of the income “ available to the women who, equally with the men, have served their country in nursing and other work in the theatres of war.”
May I point out that so far as the literary side of the contemplated Institute is concerned it could be supplied by the Public Library and its possible branches ?—Yours, etc.
JAS. WM. KENNING.
37 Lower Hillmorton Road, Rugby.
THE CRUCIFIX AS A WAR MEMORIAL.
SIR,—I see from a report in your current issue that St. Marie’s Roman Catholic congregation propose to erect a crucifix as their memorial inside the church, thus showing more wisdom than my fellow-Churchmen at St. Andrew’s Parish Church, who, according to an unreported meeting mentioned briefly in your paper, have asked their committee to submit designs, etc., to another meeting. Are they still prepared to offend Christian taste and not respect the views of others in this matter ! Of course, they are aware it is illegal—a breaking of the Second Commandment—an incentive to Superstition and Idolatry, described by their own Church as a “ lying image.” It must have the sanction of the top of the diocese, as only last month the Bishop of Liverpool vetoed the one about to be erected in St. Nicholas’ Parish Church, Liverpool.
Are they aware also that a Faculty has to be obtained, as one erected recently at Guildford will not be allowed to remain unless one is granted. Surely if these Church people must have a Pagan emblem in the shape of a cross or crucifix they need not emphasise the words of Scripture by “ putting an effigy of the Saviour upon it,” who bore the curse of those words : “ Cursed is everyone who hangeth on a tree.” God’s Word says of images, “ They that make them are like unto them and so is everyone that putteth his trust in them.”—Yours, etc.,
A CHURCHMAN.
Rugby, July 21st, 1919.
IN MEMORIAM.
BROWN.— In ever-loving memory of Corpl. Walter Joseph Brown, 1/4th Yorkshire Regt. School Street, Hillmorton, missing May 27th, 1918, now reported killed in France.
One year’s suspense we suffered,
No words from us can tell,
Of that sad day he went away,
And said his last farewell.
He fell at the post of duty,
His grave we know not where ;
But his ever-loving memory,
Shall be our daily prayer.
From FATHER, BROTHERS, SISTERS and ANNIE.
HART-DAVIES.—In memory of Lieut. I. B. Hart-Davies, killed in a flying accident, July 27th, 1917. Always remembered by his dear friend A. D. MILLER.
HART-DAVIES.—In memory of Lieut. Ivan Beauclerk Hart-Davies, RFC., killed in aeroplane mishap at Northolt, Middlesex, July 27th, 1917.—From Old Boys of 1st Rugby Troop B.P. Boy Scouts at home and abroad.
HEMMING.— In ever-loving memory of my dear husband Sergt. Charles Henry Hemming, who fell in action somewhere in France on July 24th, 1918.
“ He nobly did his duty and like a hero fell.”
Fondly remembered by his loving WIFE and CHILDREN.
SMITH.—In ever-loving memory of Pte. T. W. E. Smith, Royal Fusiliers, who was killed m action on July 21st, 1916.
SPENCER.—In loving memory of Sig. J. B. Spencer, jun., killed near Messines, July 22nd, 1917.
“ A noble son, true and kind,
A beautiful memory left behind.”
From FATHER, MOTHER and BROTHERS.
WAREING.—In loving memory of my dear son, Pte. Stanley Wareing, only son of Mr. and Mrs. James Wareing, Lilbourne Farm, killed in France July 23rd, 1916.
We often sit and think of you
And tenderly breathe your name ;
Nothing left of you to look at
But your photo in a frame.
NOTE: The report of Rugby’s Peace Celebrations published in this issue of the Rugby Advertiser will appear in a seperate post.
Rugby Remembers 