Bosworth, Frederick Albert. Died 30th Jun 1919

Frederick Albert BOSWORTH deserves our admiration as one of the longest serving and most decorated soldiers commemorated on the Rugby Memorial Gates.  He was already a member of the Territorial ‘Rugby Howitzer Battery’ before the war; and went to war with them and won the Military Medal and Bar, the French Medaille Militaire, and was Mentioned in Dispatches; he was wounded and gassed, and then volunteered for further service in Russia where he was killed in action in June 1919.  He became Rugby’s last ‘official’ Casualty on the War Memorial Gates.

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Frederick Albert BOSWORTH was born in about mid-1895 in Bitteswell.  He was the son of Frederick Bosworth [b.c.1866 in Lutterworth] and Mary Anne ‘Annie’, née Wright, Bosworth [b.c.1863 in Bitteswell], whose marriage was registered in Q4, 1894 in Leicester.  It was her second marriage.

In 1901, Frederick’s father, Frederick senior, was a ‘house painter.  The family were all living at Bitteswell.  As well as his and Annie’s three young children, there were the three older Wright step-sons aged 14, 11 and 9 from Annie’s previous marriage.

Before 1911, the family had moved to Rugby and Frederick Albert had attended the Murray School.  In 1911 they were living in a seven room house at 86 Bath Street, Rugby.  Frederick snr. was a ‘house painter’ for the builders – Messrs Linnell & Son.[1]  He had been married 17 years and they had four children.  Frederick Albert was now an ‘apprentice turner’ for a ‘mechanical engineers’, Willans and Robinson.  The other three younger children would have been at school.  Two of his wife’s Wright boys were also at home and working as a ‘fitter’ and an ‘apprentice fitter’ respectively also at a ‘mechanical engineers’ – probably also at Willans and Robinson.

Before the War, Frederick had been a member of the Territorial ‘Rugby Howitzer Battery’ – this was more properly named the 5^th Warwickshire (Rugby) Howitzer Battery, 4^th South Midland (Howitzer) Brigade.  From 1908 the Rugby Battery had been in temporary headquarters at the Willans and Robinson’s Engineering Works in Newbold Road, Rugby, so perhaps Frederick had seen them when he was an apprentice, and it may not be a surprise that he joined them.  In 1910, they moved to a new headquarters at 72 Victoria Avenue, Rugby, known locally as the Rowland Street Drill Hall.[2]

Whilst no Service Record survived, some details of Frederick’s service can be gleaned from his Medal Card and his CWGC entry.  Frederick was a gunner with the early number ‘233’, in the 5^th Warwickshire (Rugby) Howitzer Battery.  His name and number are confirmed in the listings in the papers and diaries of its commanding officer, Col. Frank West.[3]

The Battery was the first territorial artillery unit to go to France, and they went from Southampton to Le Havre, France, on 30 March 1915.  The locations where the Battery served can be found on-line, in extracts from the Brigade Diaries.[4]  They served together until the artillery reorganisation in May 1916.

In May 1916 Brigades in the British Artillery were renumbered.  The 4^th South Midland became 243 Brigade.  But its men were scattered.  The Howitzer Brigades in the British Field Artillery were split up, and their guns, officers, men and support staff redistributed to Brigades previously armed with 18 pounder guns.  … The 5^th Howitzer Battery from the 4^th South Midland Brigade was allocated to 241 Brigade (previously 2^nd South Midland, Worcester) …[5]

During the re-organisation, Frederick was one of the men on the 5^th Battery transfer list.  This listed the men of 243^rd Brigade who were transferred to form the ‘D’ Howitzer battery of the 241^st Brigade in May 1916.  The list included ‘No.233 Gnr. Bosworth, F.A.’[6]

During 1916, in a letter published, no doubt coincidentally, in the Rugby Advertiser on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, Frederick described some of his duties, and that he had been ‘Mentioned in Dispatches’.

Gunner F Bosworth, D Battery, 241st (S.M Brigade) R.F.A, an Old Murrayian, was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s last despatch.  In a letter to his old schoolmaster, Mr W T Coles Hodges, he says:- “I am a telephonist in our Battery, and in this work we have many opportunities of taking part in some of the exciting incidents of this War, and it is in these little stunts that they have evidently thought me worth mentioning.”[7]

From the date of the article, his gallant actions must have been undertaken before 1 July 1916, although a later article mentioned the date as 21 July!  However, before August 1916, Frederick had been awarded a Military Medal for his actions, as reported in a long article in the Rugby Advertiser.  It was reported that he went ‘… out under heavy fire several times to repair the telephone wire in order to keep up communication with the battery’.  A later report stated that he had been ‘Repairing telephone lines and bringing in wounded under heavy shellfire.’ 

MILITARY MEDAL FOR A RUGBY HOWITZER MAN.
Battery Sergt-Major George Hopewell, of the Rugby Howitzer Battery, writing to Mr A Adnitt, as Hon. Secretary of the Rugby Territorials Comforts Association to thank him for parcels of comforts received, adds:-
“ You will be pleased to know that one of our boys, Gunner Bosworth, has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field on July 21st, going out under heavy fire several times to repair the telephone wire in order to keep up communication with the battery. He was also mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s despatch for distinguished conduct in the field.
“ We have been in the thick of the fighting since July 1st, but have been very fortunate as regards casualties, as we have had only five wounded – Corpl Hipwell, Bombardiers Smith and Rixom, and Gunners Seaton and Packwood.
“ I dare say you read in the papers about our Division, together with the Anzacs, taking one of the most important points along the front on July 23rd. They were congratulated by the Commander-in-Chief and the Corps Commander on their performance.”
Gunner Bosworth is the son of Mr G Bosworth, who formerly worked as a painter for Messrs Linnell & Son, but has now removed to Essex.  His grandfather resides at Lutterworth.
In a letter to his old schoolmaster, Gunner Bosworth, an Old Murrayian, says:- “On the morning of the ‘big push’ I was on duty at our observation station, and had occasion to go out on the line and repair breakages caused by the shelling.  The O.C. was good enough to bring the incident to the notice of the General, and I have since heard the good news of being granted the above medal.”

HIGH PRAISE FOR THE HOWITZER BRIGADE.
The following letter from the Brigadier Commanding the Artillery Division to the O.C’s of the Batteries and Ammunition Columns, will be of much local interest :—
“ Will you please convey to all ranks my appreciation of the excellent work performed by the batteries and D.A.C during the last five weeks.  The preparation of gun positions for the July offensive entailed continuous and very hard work on the batteries, but this labour was well repaid in the fewness of the casualties suffered at the guns.  The Division subsequently taking over reported that they were the best positions they had yet seen.
“ The continual night firing has been particularly trying, but the shooting was consistently good, which reflects great credit on all ranks, and the successes gained by the Infantry were, in the words of the Divisional Commander, largely due to the effective support rendered by the Artillery.  I hope during this week all ranks will be able to get the rest which they all deserve.[8]

Frederick’s Military Medal was ‘gazetted’ in August 1916,
War Office, 23rd August, 1916. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the under-mentioned Non-commissioned Officers and Men: – 233 Gunner F. A. Bosworth, R.F.A.[9]

In the reorganisation of the artillery, Frederick received a new number 840058, and at some date, probably after his actions in 1916, been promoted to Bombardier.  On 16 April 1917, Frederick had been in action which resulted in him being awarded a Bar to his Military Medal, and he had written of his experiences to his old schoolmaster.  It was later reported that he had been ‘Maintaining communications under heavy shell fire’.

HOWITZER BATTERY MAN HONOURED.
Bombardier F Bosworth, the R.F.A, has written to his old schoolmaster, Mr W T Coles Hodges, informing him that he has been awarded a bar to his Military Medal for bravery on the night of April 16th.  Another bombardier was awarded the Military Medal for the same deed.  He adds that, having been mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Medal and a bar to same, he so far carries the honours of the Battery.[10]

The second award was gazetted in July 1917.
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of a Bar to the Military Medal to the under-mentioned Non-commissioned Officers and Men: –
840058 Bombr. F. A. Bosworth, R.F.A.  … (M.M.s gazetted 23rd August, 1916.)[11]

The same action also led to the award of the equivalent French decoration, the Medaille Militaire, which was reported in the Rugby Advertiser in June 1917, and was formally ‘gazetted’ in July 1917.

BOMBARDIER BOSWORTH AGAIN HONOURED.
Bombardier F Bosworth, of the Rugby Howitzer Battery, has been awarded the Medaille Militaire for the same action that gained for him the bar to his Military Medal.[12]

Medaille Militaire … 840058 Bombardier Frederick Bosworth, Royal Field Artillery.[13]

In August 1917 Frederick was severely wounded, and probably gassed, and it seems he was evacuated back to England for hospital treatment.  It seems that on 25 November 1917, the opportunity was taken to present him with his medals at Chatham.  The Rugby Advertiser reported in detail.

PRESENTATION TO A HOWITZER MAN.
On the occasion of the presentation of medals at Chatham on the 25th inst, Bombardier F A Bosworth R.F.A, was the recipient of medals.  The presentation was made by Colonel H R Adair, Commander Royal Artillery, Thames and Medway Garrison, who said: “The Royal Artillery has no colours.  Our colours are the proud traditions of our Regiment, to which we cling, and around which we rally, just as other Corps have rallied round their Banners.  It is men like Bombardier Bosworth who not only preserve these traditions, but, who, by their deeds, actually add to and ennoble them.  I am proud to stand here to-day representing His Majesty the King, who, you will remember is our Colonel-in-Chief, to present to Bombardier Bosworth, on his behalf, two medals, which he has gained by his own brave hands.  They are the Military Medal of England and the Military Medal of France.”
“ The records of the deeds for which he has won these read as follows:- Military Medal of England: “Repairing telephone lines and bringing in wounded under heavy shellfire.”  Bar to Military Medal of England and Military Medal of France: “Maintaining communications under heavy shell fire.”
“ These medals are a proud possession for himself and splendid heirlooms for his kindred to possess.  On behalf of our Country, our allies in France, our Regiment and its Colonel-In-Chief our King.  I shake hands with Bombardier Bosworth and wish him health and happiness and long life to wear his noble distinctions.”[14]

There do not appear to be any further details of his actions in the war, however, after the Armistice, hostilities continued in Russia until 1920, where there was still fighting in support of the ‘White Russians’ against the ‘Bolsheviks’. It seems that although he was still weak from his wounds and suffering from the effects of gas, it seems that Frederick ‘… was quite ready carry on in North Russia when the call came for help.’  He joined the 420^th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, which served in Russia with the North Russian Expeditionary Force from September 1918 to July 1919.[15]

Frederick Bosworth was ‘killed in action’ on 30 June 1919.  He was buried in a local churchyard at Lumbushi Chyd, Russia.  His grave was marked by a wooden cross with his particulars, and also ‘RIP’ and ‘Killed in Action’.  ‘The grave was enclosed by a wooden fence about one foot high.’

It was intended that these isolated graves should be ‘concentrated’ and it was intended that his body would be exhumed and moved to the Murmansk New British Cemetery, where the graves could be more properly attended.  This was not permitted by the Russians.

His gravestone had already been prepared, and included the family inscription, ‘He Loved Honour More Than He Feared Death’.  It was placed instead as ‘Special Memorial ref: B. 4.’ on the wall of the Murmansk Cemetery.

Murmansk New British Cemetery was made in 1930.  The 40 burials were moved in from the Old British Cemetery that had been used by No 86 General Hospital in 1918-1919.  The special memorials commemorate officers and men known to have been buried in cemeteries elsewhere in the Murman area.  The cemetery now contains 83 burials and commemorations of the First World War.

In August 1919, the Rugby Advertiser wrote,
POPULAR RUGBY N.C.O.’s DEATH.
CORPORAL BOSWORTH KILLED IN RUSSIA.
Further details are to hand in regard to Corpl. Frederick Albert Bosworth, who, as announced in our last issue, was recently killed in action while serving with the R.F.A. with the North Russian Expeditionary Force.  Cpl. Bosworth was member the Rugby Howitzer Battery the time the war broke out, his home address being 86 Bath Street.  He remained with the local battery during its service in France until he was severely wounded in August, 1917.  For his services over there he was awarded the Military Medal, and later a bar, and the Medaille Militaire.  Although weak from his wounds and suffering from the effects of gas, Cpl. Bosworth was quite ready carry on in North Russia when the call came for help.  It was quite evident from letters received from his officers that Cpl. Bosworth did justice to his own reputation and to the good name of the battery.  The deceased corporal was at one time employed as an apprentice at Messrs. Willans and Robinson’s works, and was familiarly known to his many friends as ‘Sammy’.[16]

As well as his awards for gallantry, the Military Medal and Bar and the French, Medaille Militaire, Frederick Albert BOSWORTH was awarded the Victory and British medals and the 1914-1915 Star.  He is remembered on the Rugby Memorial Gate.

His father and mother moved to ‘Essex’ before 1916, and after the war their contact address for the CWGC was ‘Medveza-Gora’, Hemitage Road, Higham, Rochester.

 

RUGBY REMEMBERS HIM

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This article on Frederick Albert BOSWORTH was researched and written for a Rugby Family History Group [RFHG] project, by John P H Frearson and is © John P H Frearson and the Rugby Family History Group, October 2018.

[1]      The manager of the business, the son of its owner, William Henry LINNELL, died of wounds received in the German ‘Operation Mchael’ Offensive in 1918.  He died in hospital in Rouen on 8 April 1918 – see ‘Rugby Remembers’ for 8 April 2018, at https://rugbyremembers.wordpress.com/2018/04/08/linnell-william-henry-died-8th-apr-1918/.

[2]      See https://sites.google.com/site/4thsouthmidlandbrigade/Home/dates-and-places-served-1, for the details of the Battery’s locations and postings.

[3]      https://sites.google.com/site/4thsouthmidlandbrigade/Home/5th-battery-list-1918.

[4]      https://sites.google.com/site/4thsouthmidlandbrigade/Home/dates-and-places-served-1.

[5]      https://sites.google.com/site/4thsouthmidlandbrigade/Home.

[6]      The list is in an Appendix to TNA ref: WO 95/2749, War Diary, 241 Brigade Royal Field Artillery, May 1916.

[7]      https://rugbyremembers.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/1st-jul-1916-charge-against-an-enemy-alien-dismissed/, as transcribed from Rugby Advertiser, 1 July 1916.

[8]      https://rugbyremembers.wordpress.com/2016/08/12/12th-aug-1916-down-with-diphtheria-but-not-depressed/, as transcribed from Rugby Advertiser, 12 August 1916.

[9]      The London Gazette, Supplement:29719, Page:8360, 22 August 1916, also, The Edinburgh Gazette, Issue:12976, Page:1490, 24 August 1916.

[10]     https://rugbyremembers.wordpress.com/2017/06/06/2nd-jun-1917-cooking-demonstration-at-rugby/, as transcribed from Rugby Advertiser, 6 June 1917.

[11]     The London Gazette, Supplement 30172, Page 6824, 6 July 1917.

[12]     https://rugbyremembers.wordpress.com/2017/06/16/16th-jun-1917-doctors-and-the-war-appeal-to-the-public/, as transcribed from Rugby Advertiser, 16 June 1917.

[13]     The Edinburgh Gazette, Issue 13114, Page 1369, 17 July 1917.

[14]     https://rugbyremembers.wordpress.com/2017/12/01/1st-dec-1917-presentation-to-a-howitzer-man/, as transcribed from Rugby Advertiser, 1 December 1917.

[15]     TNA ref: WO 95/5426, 420 Battery Royal Field Artillery, Russia, September 1918 – July 1919.

[16]     Rugby Advertiser, Friday, 8 August 1919.

 

Renshaw, Alfred James. Died 23rd Oct 1918

Alfred James RENSHAW was born in Rugby in 1896 and his birth was registered in Q2, 1896.   He was baptised on 8 November 1896 at St. Andrew’s church, Rugby; when his family lived at 63 Cambridge Street and his father was a ‘Fireman’.  He was the second son, and the third child of five, of William Renshaw (b.c.1867 in Rugby) and Elizabeth, née Clarke, Renshaw (b.c.1867 in Yelvertoft).  Their marriage was registered in Q2, 1892, in Rugby.

In 1901, when Alfred was four, the family was living at 121 Cambridge Street, Rugby.  Alfred’s father was a ‘railway engine stoker’.  It seems from a later letter (below) that he would become a pupil at Murray School.

In 1911, the family was living at 149 Oxford Street, Rugby; Alfred was 14 and an ‘Errand Boy’ at the B.T.H. works.  His elder brother and sister both worked for the ‘Co-op Society’, as a ‘baker’ and a ‘shop assistant’ respectively.  His father had been promoted and was now an ‘engine driver’.  His parents had been married for 19 years and had had five children, all of whom were living.

At some date before to the war, it seems that Alfred had followed in his father’s career footsteps, and had moved to work for the L & N-W Railway, as shown in an article in the Rugby Advertiser in September 1914, entitled ‘Rugby’s Magnificent Response’, which included Alfred’s name.
The following is a list of men from the Locomotive Department of the L & N-W Railway at Rugby …, A J Renshaw, … [1]

It is not known exactly when Alfred joined up, but it must have been early in the war, indeed he was probably already in the Territorial ‘Rugby Howitzer Battery’, as his Medal Card states that he went to France on 31 March 1915, and thus qualified for the 1914-15 Star.  The card shows that he was initially in a Territorial battery of the Royal Field Artillery [RFA] and he had the very early number 52.  This early form of number, would also tend to confirm that he was already a member of the ‘Rugby Howitzer Battery’ in the local 1^st/1^st Warwickshire Royal Horse Artillery (Territorial Forces).  A number of other Rugby casualties served in this Battery, including: Corporal, No.187, Thomas J Smith,[2] from B.T.H. who was wounded and died of his wounds on 21 March 1918; and Lance Bombardier, No.99, C. S. Collins,[3] also from B.T.H., who died from his wounds, on the 24 October 1918, the day after Alfred.

Alfred Renshaw was confirmed as a member of the ‘Rugby Howitzer Battery’ – the 4^th South Midland (Howitzer), 243 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, 5^th Rugby Battery, – in a list of the men in the papers of Frank West,[4] which included,
‘Renshaw, A. J., 52, Gnr’

A note on the later renumbering of RFA members also gives some confirmatory information.
These “long” [six figure] numbers came into use on 1 January 1917, even though the men on active service to whom they were allocated were by that time in other Brigades. … Sampling the medal cards shows that some of the men with lower service numbers on this list who usually have short service numbers too, went out to France when the 4^th South Midland Brigade was first sent overseas, arriving in France, 31 March 1915.  … All men who served overseas before the end of 1915 received the 1915 Star and the qualifying date is often marked on their medal cards.

The above date, 31 March 1915, agrees with the date of entry to France on Alfred’s Medal Card – and confirms that he was originally with the 4^th South Midland (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

The Battery was recalled from summer camp for training in the Chelmsford area in August 1914, and sailed from Folkestone to Boulogne in ‘mid March 1915’ and concentrated near Cassel.  The Battery left the Division on 16 April 1915.  A summary of their activity from Wikipedia,[5] is given below – it can be seen that there was considerable movement of units, and it is likely that men were also cross-posted, leading to Alfred’s alternate numbers.

The South Midland Division was ordered to join the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France on 13 March 1915, and the artillery embarked at Southampton for Le Havre, the 1/1st Battery disembarking on 31 March.  By 4 April the division had taken over a section of the front line near Cassel.

However, artillery policy in the BEF was to withdraw heavy batteries from the divisions and group them into dedicated heavy artillery brigades, so on 16 April the battery left the South Midland Division to join Second Army Artillery in time for the Second Battle of Ypres.  At this time the practice was to move batteries between heavy brigades (later heavy artillery groups or HAGs) as required, so the 1/1st Warwickshire Bty moved to XVI Brigade RGA on 10 June, to VIII Brigade RGA on 3 July, to III Corps Artillery with First Army on 21 August, and IV Heavy Bde on 10 November.

In early 1916 the battery was moved again, to 12th HAG with Second Army (10 April), to ‘Loring’s Group’ with I ANZAC Corps (19 May), then to 44th (South African) HAG (5 August), and on to 34th HAG (27 August), which joined Fourth Army on the Somme in September. After the Somme fighting died down, the battery moved within Fourth Army to 7th HAG (30 November) and back to 44th (SA) HAG (23 December).

By the end of 1916 the obsolete 4.7-inch gun had been largely superseded on the Western Front by the modern 60-pounder.  On 28 February 1917 the battery was made up to a strength of six guns when it was joined by a section from the newly-arrived 199th Heavy Bty.  It then moved north on 13 March to join 15th HAG with First Army, arriving on 21 March. Soon afterwards (15 April) it was switched south again to Fifth Army where it joined 9th HAG on 20 April.  Through the early summer the battery continued to be switched rapidly from one HAG to another: 42nd (arriving 19 May), 16th with Third Army (5 July), 52nd with Second Army (9 July), 99th (12 July), then back to 52nd (6 August), and finally 11th (7 September).

By now, Second Army was involved in the Third Ypres Offensive, taking the lead at the Battles of the Menin Road Ridge, Polygon Wood and Broodseinde, which were notable artillery victories. The 60-pounders were used for counter-battery fire before the attack, and then as part of the creeping barrage that led the infantry onto their objectives.  However, the subsequent attacks (the Battles of Poelcappelle, First Passchendaele and Second Passchendaele) were failures. The British batteries were clearly observable from the Passchendaele Ridge and suffered badly from counter-battery fire, while their own guns sank into the mud and became difficult to aim and fire.

While the Ypres offensive was still continuing, the German and Austrian victory at Caporetto on the Italian Front led to British forces being rushed from Flanders to shore up the Italian Army. Even before their defeat the Italians had asked for the loan of heavy artillery, and now a number of units were hurriedly sent by rail, including 1/1st Warwickshire Battery, which went on 14 November.

In February 1916 Alfred was still with the Rugby Howitzer Battery, although a comment ‘I arrived safely back …’, suggests he may have had some leave in late 1915 or early 1916.

OLD MURRAYIAN WITH THE HOWITZER BATTERY.
Gunner A J Renshaw, of the Rugby Howitzer Battery, in a letter to his old schoolmaster, says :— “I arrived safely back to the land of mud and water, commonly known as ‘Sunny France.’ During my absence there was plenty of fun going on, and ‘Fritz’ and his ‘brudders’ gave our infantry a surprise visit the other night, but as they strongly objected to their presence in our lines they ‘struck oil’ somewhat and were soon out again on the hop.  Since then we have returned their visit with much more success.  Of late considerable activity has been shown, and by now they are aware of the fact that we are out for business, for we have given them ‘cold feet’ this last month or so, and soon you may here with confidence of our continued success.  Of that there is very little doubt.  We shall fight until we have avenged the dastardly atrocities they have committed in France and Belgian.”[6]

It seems that in the 1916 reorganisations of the Royal Field Artillery, Alfred Renshaw was renumbered and transferred, at least latterly, into the Royal Garrison Artillery, (TF), as a Gunner, No: 314639.  He was also – before or afterwards – in the Royal Field Artillery as Gnr. No: 832129, possibly as a temporary or earlier appointment, as the CWGC still had him listed in the Royal Garrison Artillery.

The UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 records that he was formerly No: 832129, 4^th South Midland Howitzer Brigade, R.F.A.; and was then a Gunner, No: 314639, in South Midland (Warwickshire) Heavy Battery. [RGA – (TF)], Royal Garrison Artillery.

The Medal Role for the British War Medal and Victory Medal also states that he was ‘RFA. 832129 Gnr, RGA. (TF)’ and also ‘Gunner, 314639, Royal Garrison Artillery, South Midland (Warwickshire) Heavy Battery. [RGA – (TF)]’.

In May 1916, before the Battle of the Somme, the Brigades in the British Artillery were renumbered.  The 4^th South Midland became 243 Brigade, but some of its men were scattered, and that may have been when Alfred was posted to the Royal Garrison Artillery.

It seems that later his first Battery was sent to Italy, but Alfred died in France, so he was not with them.  With no service records and the surviving information not giving any specific unit numbers, it seems almost impossible to be absolutely certain where he was when he was wounded.  It would probably have been by counter battery fire, as the Germans tried to halt the advancing allied forces.

However, as the CWGC has him with the 2^nd/1^st Lancashire Heavy Battery, RGA, it may be possible to hazard a guess.  The 2^nd/1^st LHB RGA was part of the 57^th West Lancashire Division.  They joined the Division on 26 November 1915, received four 4.7-inch guns on 29 December 1915, and later moved independently to France, arriving on 1 July 1916 and coming initially under orders of II Anzac Corps.[7]

In 1918 the Division was engaged in:
The Battles of the Lys (9-29 April) (Divisional artillery only); the Battle of the Scarpe (26-30 August) and the Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line (2-3 September) both being phases of the Second Battles of Arras 1918.  The Battle of the Canal du Nord (27 September-1 October) and the Battle of the Cambrai (8-9 October), in which the Division assisted in the capture of Cambrai, and both of which were phases of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line.  The occupation of Lille (17 October), and the general final advance in Artois (15 October-1 November), both being phases of the Final Advance in Artois.

The War Diary, [8] provides some indication of the activities of the 57^th Division artillery.

In September, the focus of the advance was in the Cambrai area with the Divisional artillery supporting the advance as the troops moved forward toward Cambrai from the west, advancing from Graincourt, to Anneux, Cantaig-sur-Escaut, then around the south of Cambrai, to Proville, Niergnies and on to Awoingt.  Cambrai was taken in this period.

Then in October the Division was moved north via Fromelles to assist the attacks in the Lille area.  During the month the troops advanced and took Lille and passed it by via Hellemmes and on towards Froyennes, near Tournai.  However, in this period the War Diary[9] noted –

20 October – ‘Enemy resistance began to stiffen. …’.

23 October – ‘Hostile artillery continued harassing fire, mainly with field guns and trench mortars.’

The best information at present was that the 2^nd/1^st Lancashire Heavy Battery, RGA, was with the 57^th Division and that Alfred would have been in the Lille area when he was wounded – presumably during the hostile artillery harassment.  Although he may have been wounded in later October, it  may have been in some earlier incident, as he had been evacuated a very considerable distance of some 260 kms, to one of the military hospitals at Rouen.  He died from his wounds, on the 23 October 1918, either in Rouen, or possibly on his way to a hospital there.  He was 22 years old.

After Alfred died, like the great majority of those who died in the various Rouen Hospitals, he was buried in the Rouen city cemetery of St. Sever, in the St Sever Cemetery Extension, in grave reference: S. II. FF. 12.

St. Sever Cemetery and St. Sever Cemetery Extension are located within a large communal cemetery situated on the eastern edge of the southern Rouen suburbs of Le Grand Quevilly and Le Petit Quevilly.   The Extension had been started in September 1916.  During the First World War, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen.  A base supply depot and the 3^rd Echelon of General Headquarters were also established in the city.  Almost all of the hospitals at Rouen remained there for practically the whole of the war.  They included eight general, five stationary, one British Red Cross and one labour hospital, and No. 2 Convalescent Depot.  A number of the dead from these hospitals were buried in other cemeteries, but the great majority were taken to the city cemetery of St. Sever.  In September 1916, it was found necessary to begin an extension, where the last burial took place in April 1920.

Later, when a permanent gravestone replaced his temporary cross, it included his family’s message, ‘AT REST’.  The next of kin was recorded as ‘Mr. F. Keeley, 10 Lodge Road, Rugby’.  He was Alfred’s brother-in-law; Frank Keeley’s marriage to Alfred’s elder sister, Lilian, was registered in Rugby in Q2, 1917 [Rugby 6d,1369].

There were no obvious death notices or obituaries in the Rugby Advertiser, however, his death was noted in the Coventry Evening Telegraph.
‘The Roll of Honour – Coventry and District Casualties, Died of Wounds, Renshaw, 314639, Gunner, A. J. (Rugby), R.G.A.)’.[10]

Alfred James RENSHAW was awarded the British War and Victory Medals and also the 1914-15 Star.   He is also remembered on the Rugby Memorial Gates and also on a family grave, No. K655, in the Clifton Road Cemetery, Rugby

 

RUGBY REMEMBERS HIM

– – – – – –

 

This article on Alfred James RENSHAW was researched and written for a Rugby Family History Group [RFHG] project, by John P H Frearson and is © John P H Frearson and the RFHG, August 2018.

[1]      Rugby Advertiser, 5 September 1914; also https://rugbyremembers.wordpress.com/2014/09/05/5th-sep-1914-rugbys-magnificent-response/.

[2]      https://rugbyremembers.wordpress.com/2018/03/21/smith-thomas-j-l-died-21st-mar-1918/.

[3]      Rugby Remembers, C. S. Collins, 24 October 1918.

[4]      https://sites.google.com/site/4thsouthmidlandbrigade/Home/5th-battery-list-1918.

[5]      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Midland_(Warwickshire)_Royal_Garrison_Artillery#cite_note-15.

[6]      Rugby Advertiser, 26 February 1916; see also: https://rugbyremembers.wordpress.com/2016/02/26/26th-feb-1916-restrictions-on-the-use-of-paper/.

[7]      https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/57th-2nd-west-lancashire-division/, The Long Long Trail, The history of 57^th (2^nd West Lancashire) Division.

[8]      UK, WWI War Diaries (France, Belgium and Germany), 1914-1920, Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery, 57^th Division, Piece 2968/2: Commander Royal Artillery (1917 Feb – 1919 Mar).

[9]      UK, WWI War Diaries (France, Belgium and Germany), 1914-1920, Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery, 57^th Division, Piece 2968/2: Commander Royal Artillery (1917 Feb – 1919 Mar).

[10]     Coventry Evening Telegraph, Tuesday, 26 November 1918.

Hardman, Charles Henry. Died 21st Mar 1918.

Charles Henry Hardman was born in Rugby in 1892. He was baptised on 13th Mar 1892 at Bilton Church.   He was the eldest child of James Hardman and Elizabeth née Giles who were married at St Matthews on 19th Oct 1890.

To start with, the family lived at 3 Vine Place, but by 1901, when William was 9, they had moved to Overslade. Father James was a Domestic Groom.

By 1911 James and Elizabeth Hardman had 7 children, four more sons and two daughters. They lived at 36 Union Street Rugby and Charles was an Engineers machinist at B.T.H.

The following year Charles married Margaret A Salmon (or Salman). They had two children: Annie E in late 1912 and George H in 1914. Margaret later lived in Leamington

Charles Henry Hardman was mobilised with the Howitzer Battery at the start of the war and arrived in France on 31st Mar 1915 as a gunner (no.134, later 840128) with the Royal Field Artillery. He served with the 56 Battery, first with the 44 Howitzer Brigade and then from 26 May 1916 with the 34th Brigade. He would have taken part in most of the major battles of the war., including Operation Michael.

Gunner Charles Henry Hardman died on the 21st Mar 1918. He must have been killed in the Battle of St Quentin, as the site of the cemetery where he is buried, Neuville-Bourjonval was lost to the Germans on the 22nd, not to be retaken until the following September.

He was buried in a communal grave and his stone states he was “buried near this spot.”

He is also remembered on the BTH Memorial.

Charles was the third of the Hardman sons to die. Walter died in 1915 and William in 1917.

James Hardman, of 9 James Street, Rugby, took part in the opening of the Rugby Memorial gates in 1922. He pulled a cord releasing the Union Jacks to reveal the gates.

Rugby Advertiser 17th Mar 1922

 

RUGBY REMEMBERS HIM

30th Dec 1916. Military Cross for Old St Matthew’s Boy

MILITARY CROSS FOR OLD ST. MATTHEW’S BOY.

The Military Cross has been awarded to Capt Tom Marriott, son of the late Mr J Marriott, who resided at Stratford-on-Avon for nearly 40 years.

Capt Marriott was in charge of a small post at Malingali, East Africa, and being attacked by superior German forces under General Wahle, put up an unexpected resistance. He held the post for four days, until the arrival of a relief force, which drove General Wahle’s forces back. Capt Marriott was promptly awarded the Military Cross.

Capt Marriott was a scholar at St Matthew’s School, under the late Mr Phillips. He was a Lieutenant in the United States Army at that time of the Spanish-American War, subsequently volunteering in the British army for the Boer War. He was one of the first to ride into Ladysmith at the relief of that town, and rose to the rank of Captain in the South African Light Horse. Since the Boer War he has been engaged in farming in South Africa, and on the outbreak of hostilities in 1914, again volunteered for active service, and was engaged with General Botha in German West Africa. On the subjugation of that colony his regiment was transferred to German East Africa. He was wounded in the arm at Malingali in July, the same place where in December he has gained the distinction of the award of the Military Cross.

LOCAL WAR NOTES.

Mr PC Longney, deputy-organist at Catthorpe Parish Church, and a member of the choir of St Andrew’s Church, Rugby, has joined the A.S.C, and is proceeding to France this week.

LOCAL CASUALTIES.

HOWITZER BATTERY MAN KILLED.

Mrs Ingram, of 68 Victoria Street, New Bilton, has just received official information from the War Office that her son, Driver E (Ben) Ingram, of the Rugby Howitzer Battery, was killed by a shell on December 8th. He was an old New Bilton Council School boy and a former member of the Boys’ Brigade, in which he was a stretcher bearer. He had been a member of the Howitzer Battery for six years, and prior to the outbreak of the war was an assistant in Mr J J McKinnell’s shop. He was 22 years of age, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. In a letter to his parents, Capt Lister says : “ I can assure you that his death came as a great blow to the Battery. He was a great favourite, and always willing to do any work that was to be done. Personally, I feel the blow very much. He had been my servant ever since the Battery left England, and I know full well what a very good fellow he was.” Mrs Ingram has three other sons serving, or who have served. Corpl B Ingram, Coldstream Guards, who has gone all through the present War, is well known in local football circles ; Corpl T Ingram, R.W.R, has served since the commencement of the War ; and Corpl R Ingram, of the same regiment, has been discharged through injuries received on active service.

VICAR OF ST. MATTHEW’S GOING TO THE FRONT.

Arrangements have been made for the Rev C T Aston, vicar of St Matthew’s, to take charge of a hut in France, under the auspices of the Soldiers’ Christian Association. He expects to leave Rugby in the second or third week of January, and will probably be away for five or six months. The hut to be placed under Mr Aston’s charge is a new one, now approaching completion, and is nearer the trenches than any others provided by this association. Mr Aston will take with him the good wishes of his many friends in Rugby. During his absence the work at St Matthew’s will be under the care of the Rev P E Warrington (curate). The Rev Dr David and some of the masters at Rugby School have promised to help and other clergymen from a distance are giving assistance for week-ends.

THE WEATHER.

The weather during the Christmas season has been of a wintry character, but not exactly the kind that people usually like to see at this time of the years. Following a spell of frosty weather, there was a considerable fall of snow on Friday last week. On Saturday morning rain came down for a time, and this gradually changed to snow, and when this began to accumulate in a partly melted condition, roads and footpaths were before nightfall inches deep in slush, making it most uncomfortable for people to get about to do their shopping. During the night the remaining snow became frozen, and the surface was covered with ice. This state of affairs continued till Thursday, when a thaw set in. Vehicular traffic on the ice-bound roads was carried on with difficulty, and pedestrians found it necessary to walk with the greatest care. The temperature was not particularly low, but the air was at times very raw, and only for a few moments occasionally was a glimpse of the sum obtainable. On Wednesday there was a dense fog.

A FOOD INVENTORY.

The Food Control Department is engaged on an inventory of the national stocks, resources, and expected supplies of each of the principal articles of food. This is a necessary preliminary to the devising of plans for the equitable distribution of food, and when the stock-taking is completed, as it will be shortly, the exact form of these plans in the way of preventing wasteful and extravagant misuse of food will be devised. Meatless days and sugar rationing will be first taken into consideration.

SEED POTATOES.—Arrangements have been made by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries with the Treasury to finance a scheme for the distribution of seed potatoes. The President has invited the County War Agricultural Committees to request Borough and Urban Councils and Parish Councils to ascertain what quantity of seed potatoes is required in each village ; to collect cash with orders and to distribute seed. It is proposed that arrangements should be made to deliver the potatoes at convenient distributing centres in 1-cwt bags. Not more than 5-cwt may be supplied to each grower and the range of varieties will necessarily be limited

Ingram, Ernest Benjamin. Died 9th Dec 1916

Gunner Ernest Benjamin Ingram
Service No: – 42
Royal Field Artillery
Cemetery/Memorial Name
Pozieres British Cemetery Ovillers-La Boiselle
Grave/Memorial Reference II. G. 4.

Ernest Benjamin Ingram was born in the third quarter of 1894 to Walter and Emily Ingram, and was baptised at St. Andrews Church Rugby September 1894, the family were at this time living at Ringrose Court, Rugby and Ernest father’s occupation is given as a labourer.

By the 1901 census they are at living at 40 Sun Street, Rugby and Walter, the father was not at home (perhaps he was working elsewhere). Ernest (Ben) was with his older brothers Tom, Bertie and Richard and sisters Margaret Ellen and Kimberly Bella. Tom was working as an errand boy and Ernest attended New Bilton Council School.By the 1911 census the family were living at 22 Bridget Street, Bilton, Rugby and have another boy Arthur Edward and their father, Walter, with them. He was a Stone Mason. Thomas is a Fishmonger, Bertie is a General Labourer and Richard is a Baths Attendant with the Rugby U. D. Council and Ernest is a Butchers Assistant, the other children are all at school.

Ernest’s father died in 1914, after Ernest had joined the army.  Ernest had signed a Territorial Force Attestation Paper in 1909 and was enlisted into the 11^th South Mid (H) Battery Regiment and his age was 17 years 10 months. On his attestation paper his height was 5’ 5 ½’, his girth on expansion was 35’’, his health and his development were given as good. Ernest gave his employment as labourer. In December 1916 Ernest was with ‘D’ Battery 307^th Brigade in France prior to the company moving to Greece when he was killed in action. Ernest’s mother, Emily, was informed of Ernest’s death. The following was in the Rugby Advertiser of 30th December 1916 under Local Casualties.

HOWITZER BATTERY MAN KILLED

Mrs Ingram of 68 Victoria Street, New Bilton, had received official information from the War Office that her son, Driver E (Ben) Ingram, of Rugby Howitzer Battery, was killed by a shell on December 8^th. He was an old New Bilton Council School boy and a former member of the Boys’ Brigade, in which he was a stretcher bearer. He had been a member of the Howitzer Battery for six years, and prior to the outbreak of war was an assistant in Mr J J McKinnell’s shop.   He was 22 years of age, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. In a letter to his parents, Capt. Lister says:

“I can assure you that his death came as a great blow to the Battery. He was a great favourite, and always willing to do any work that was to be done.   Personally, I feel the blow very much.   He had been my servant ever since the Battery left England, and I know full well what a very good fellow he was.”  

Mrs Ingram has three other sons serving, or have served. Corpl B Ingram, Coldstream Guards, who has gone all through the present War, is well known in local football circles; Corpl T. Ingram, R.W.R, has served since the commencement of the War; and Corpl R Ingram of the same regiment, has been discharged through injuries received on active service.

His only memorial after Rugby’s Memorial Gate is at Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-Boiselle France.

 

RUGBY REMEMBERS HIM

Turner, Arthur James. Died 19th Sep 1916

Arthur James Turner was born in 1874 and baptised in Ditchingham in Norfolk on 27th September 1874. His parents were James and Hannah (nee Dodman) who had married in 1868. Hannah died and was buried in Hedenham, Norfolk on 22nd October 1880. She was aged 34 and left a husband and five children. Arthur James was aged only six.

Times must have been hard for the family. James was an agricultural labourer and in 1883 was summoned to the Petty Sessions in Loddon by the School Attendance Officer, for neglecting to send two children to school. He was fined 2s 6d in each case. Perhaps they were need to work in the fields.

We have been unable to find the family in the 1891 census. Arthur James would have been sixteen by this time. Around March 1894 he joined the army. He sent time in India with the Royal Field Artillery and was drafted to England to train recruits during the Boer War. In 1902 he married Lizzie Gertrude Stanley. Their first child, Cyril Arthur Stanley Turner was born in Ireland in 1903 and Leslie Alan followed in 1905 and Vera Evelyn in 1907. The family were living at Bulford Camp, in Wiltshire at the time. Their fourth child, Urban H Turner was born in Rugby in 1912.

Arthur James had been was appointed Battery Sergeant-Major and Instructor in Gunnery to the Rugby Howitzer Battery in March 1910.

According to the report in the Rugby Advertiser 7th Oct 1916

“After the general mobilisation in August 1914, Sergt-Major Turner was appointed to the Divisional Ammunition Column. He finished his term of 22 years in March last, but signed on again for the period of the war, and was transferred to another Division.”

At his death he served in “B” Bty, 95th Bde, Royal Field Artillery (No 3291)

He “was killed in action on September 19th. Mrs Turner has not received official news of her husband’s death, but the Chaplain of the Division to which he was attached has written saying that her husband’s battery had been in action where the fighting was hottest, and he was one of the brave men who had given their lives for his King and country. The Chaplain added that he had read the Burial Service over his grave, near the Battery position. B.S.M. Turner who was 42 years of age, had served 22 years in the R.F.A.

He is buried at Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, west of Longueval, where many of the dead from the Battle of the Somme were buried.

He is also remembered on the Croop Hill War Memorial in Rugby. His widow lived at 64 Victoria Avenue, New Bilton. She died in 1947, aged 76.

 

12th Aug 1916. Down With Diphtheria But Not Depressed

DOWN WITH DIPHTHERIA BUT NOT DEPRESSED.

A Rugbeian has this week received a letter from his brother, who is now in a hospital in France suffering from diphtheria :—

“. . . Many thanks for sending on the dictionary. I lost mine, and as my spelling deteriorated 50 per cent without a dictionary, a dictionary becomes a very important part of my equipment. I wanted a dictionary to find the meaning of the word ‘ scabies.’ It was not in the aforesaid—that’s the right word, isn’t it ?—book. I don’t think I need refer to the dictionary for that. Sit on a box of itch-he-coo powder, it will soon explain itself . . . As you remark, diphtheria is not to be treated lightly, but it’s not thought so serious as it used to be, thanks to the injection of an anti-toxin which consists of 4,000 germs which they inject in your chest. This little army proceeds in marching order and makes a rear attack on the enemy’s trenches. After repulsing a severe counter-attack, they succeeded in opening the lines of communication again, thus enabling me to talk to Nurse and also to partake in the jellies and custards, etc. A nice soft bed to lie on—the first bed for 15 months. I made a fuss of it, too, for eight or nine days. Sister daily takes your temperature, and feels your pulse, makes the bed, and tucks you up. Dear, dear. . . . who wouldn’t have diphtheria ? Now I am stage number two, making myself generally useful washing up pots and pans, laying tables, cutting bread-and-butter, etc. I have had one swab taken since being in hospital. They take a swab every week. If you get three negatives, you are free of the germ ; but if you have positive, you are a germ-carrier, and they keep you a bit longer. My first swab was a negative.

MILITARY MEDAL FOR A RUGBY HOWITZER MAN.

Battery Sergt-Major George Hopewell, of the Rugby Howitzer Battery, writing to Mr A Adnitt, as hon secretary of the Rugby Territorials Comforts Association to thank him for parcels of comforts received, adds :—

“ You will be pleased to know that one of our boys, Gunner Bosworth, has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field on July 21st, going out under heavy fire several times to repair the telephone wire in order to keep up communication with the battery. He was also mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s despatch for distinguished conduct in the field.

“ We have been in the thick of the fighting since July 1st, but have been very fortunate as regards casualties, as we have had only five wounded—Corpl Hipwell, Bombardiers Smith and Rixom, and Gunners Seaton and Packwood.

“ I dare say you read in the papers about our Division, together with the Anzacs, taking one of the most important points along the front on July 23rd. They were congratulated by the Commander-in-Chief and the Corps Commander on their performance.”

Gunner Bosworth is the son of Mr G Bosworth, who formerly worked as a painter for Messrs Linnell & Son, but has now removed to Essex. His grandfather resides at Lutterworth.

In a letter to his old schoolmaster, Gunner Bosworth, an Old Murrayian, says :- “ On the morning of the ‘ big push ‘ I was on duty at our observation station, and had occasion to go out on the line and repair breakages caused by the shelling. The O.C. was good enough to bring the incident to the notice of the General, and I have since heard the good news of being granted the above medal.”

HIGH PRAISE FOR THE HOWITZER BRIGADE.

The following letter from the Brigadier Commanding the Artillery Division to the O.C’s of the Batteries and Ammunition Columns, will be of much local interest :—

“ Will you please convey to all ranks my appreciation of the excellent work performed by the batteries and D.A.C during the last five weeks. The preparation of gun positions for the July offensive entailed continuous and very hard work on the batteries, but this labour was well repaid in the fewness of the casualties suffered at the guns. The Division subsequently taking over reported that they were the best positions they had yet seen.

“ The continual night firing has been particularly trying, but the shooting was consistently good, which reflects great credit on all ranks, and the successes gained by the Infantry were, in the words of the Divisional Commander, largely due to the effective support rendered by the Artillery. I hope during this week all ranks will be able to get the rest which they all deserve.

DEFEAT OF THE TURKS.

WARWICKSHIRE YEOMANRY DO WELL.

The Turks on Friday last week made another and disastrous attempt to reach the Suez Canal. The point chosen for the attack, which was made by 14,000 troops, was Romani, 18 miles east of Port Said. While holding the frontal attack the British, on the southern flank, retired until the enemy had become involved in the sand dunes. A counter attack was then made with all arms, which was completely successful, and at dawn on Saturday the enemy was in retreat, with our troops in vigorous pursuit. The Turks suffered heavily, and so far the British captures comprise 45 officers and 3,100 men, including some Germans, four mountain guns, and a number of machine guns. The British Commander-in-Chief pays warm tributes to the Anzac troops, the Territorials, the Royal Flying Corps, and the monitors, which, firing from the Bay of Tina, gave valuable assistance. During the day the temperature was 100 degrees in the shade.

“ The Times ” correspondent says :— “ The brunt of the fighting was borne by Anzac mounted troops. Of the British troops, the Scottish and Lancashire Territorials and the Warwickshire and Gloucester Yeomanry fought splendidly, and amply avenged the previous loss of comrades by taking over 300 prisoners and two camel guns, and inflicting very heavy casualties. From Territorials of average quality in peace times they have improved into a brigade of veterans. They left the railway at a place within sound of heavy rifle fire, and light-heartedly marched away to attack through ankle-deep sand, and thoroughly proud that their time had come. A little later, from a different spot, I saw Warwickshire and Gloucestershire Yeomanry marching over flatter country, with flankers advanced and rear guards and squadrons as well alined as on parade.”

LOCAL CASUALTIES.

Sergt H Lee, R.W.R, until the War employed in the gardens of Dunsmore, and Pte H T Gardner, of the same regiment, whose home is at Clifton, have been reported wounded.

Mr W W College, 9 Church Street, Rugby, has received official intimation that his youngest son, Pte W F College, Royal Warwicks, was reported missing on July 19th. He only joined up in November last year, and had been out in France about three months.

LIEUT E A R SMITH, of CLIFTON.

News has been received that Lieut Eric Arthur Ray Smith, R.W.R, son of Mr A E Smith, of Enfield, was killed in action on July 22nd. Lieut Smith, who was 27 years of age, and was married, occupied the Manor Farm, Clifton, until he was given a commission in the R.W.R last year, and was well known locally.

PTE ARTHUR REYNOLDS MISSING.

Mr W A Reynolds, of 26 West Leyes, Rugby, has received news that his son Arthur, a private in one of the Territorial Battalions of the R.W.R, has been posted missing since July 19th. Pte Reynolds was 20 years of age, and joined the army 12 months ago. He has been in France about two months. Before joining the army he was employed in the tailoring department of the Co-operative Society.

LANCE-CORPL EDWARD HARVEY.

Information has been received by Mrs R Harvey, Windsor Street, Rugby, that her son, Lance-Corpl Edward Harvey, of the Hampshire Regiment, was killed in action on July 1st. Lance-Corpl Harvey enlisted at the beginning of the War, prior to which he worked at Newbold Cement Works. He had been in France 15 months. He was 35 years of age and a native of Rugby. Before the War he lived in Bridget Street, Rugby. He leaves a widow and four children. Mrs R Harvey has two other sons at the front.

SECOND-LIEUT P A MORSON WOUNDED.

Mr and Mrs A Morson, of The Chace, on Monday received news that their son, Second-Lieut P A Morson, of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, had been wounded on August 1st. Lieut Morson joined the H.A.C as a private, and proceeded to France on July 1, 1915. He saw much of the fighting round Ypres and Hooge, and then in April of this year he received his commission. He went all through the recent big advance until wounded on August 1st, and he is now in the Second General Western Hospital at Manchester. He received six wounds in the left hip and thigh and one in the left shoulder. An operation has been successfully performed, and his friends will be pleased to hear that he is now going on well.

PTE M E CLEAVER REPORTED MISSING.

Mrs Cleaver, of 28 Plowman Street, has been notified by the War Office that her husband, Pte M E Cleaver, of the R.W.R (T.F), has been posted as missing after an engagement on July 19th. Pte Cleaver, who was a native of Rugby, lived in the town till a year or two ago, but at the time of enlistment he was residing at Banbury. He has four young children.

In the same platoon as Pte Cleaver was an old Rugby footballer, well known as “ Zooie ” Batchelor. He is now in hospital near Liverpool, suffering from shell shock, which has rendered him deaf and dumb.

LANCE-CORPL BROMWICH, of PAILTON PASTURES.

News has been received by Mrs Bromwich, of Pailton Pastures, that her son, Lance-Corpl E J H C Bromwich, of the Northants Regiment, was killed in action on July 18th. Her husband was killed in the Boer War, and Lance-Corpl Bromwich entered the Duke of York’s School for soldiers’ sons at the age of 14. Although he was only 20 years of age, he had, therefore, served six years in the Army. He was wounded last autumn, but recovered, and was drafted to the front again.

SECOND-LIEUT E A R SMITH.

Second-Lieut Eric Arthur Rae Smith, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who, as recorded in our last issue, was killed in action on July 22nd, was the youngest son of Mr Arthur K Smith, Pencarrow, Enfield, and was 27 years of ago. For some years before the War he was in the H.A.C, and in April, 1915, obtained a commission in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, proceeding to the front last May. His Commanding officer writes : “ He was killed whilst leading with the utmost gallantry his platoon into action on the night of July 22-23. In him the Battalion has lost a truly gallant officer of great promise, who had already endeared himself to all ranks.” When Lieut Smith joined the Forces he was occupying the Manor Farm at Clifton-on-Dunsmore.

SERGT-MAJOR WILLIAM J BRYANT KILLED.

Considerable regret will be felt locally at the confirmation of the rumour, circulated in the town last week, that Sergt-Major William John Bryant, of the Rugby Infantry Company, had been killed in action. The news was conveyed to Mrs Bryant, the widow, who lives at 98 York Street, in a letter from the O.C of A Company to which Sergt-Major Bryant was attached on his promotion from the rank of sergeant. The writer says :— “ His death came as a great shock to us all. When such men as he go from us a sort of despair follows, and we feel one of our great supports has gone. He was for some time the quartermaster-sergeant of the company—a post which does not entail so much danger as that of sergeant-major. But as soon as his predeccessor (Sergt-Major Wood) was wounded he lost no time in stepping into his place, and I always remember how eager he was to be right up in the trenches, as close to the enemy as possible. His long service with the regiment, his good character and capacity for doing honest sound work, will ensure that his memory will always remain with those who have known the regiment. His loss is one that it will be hard to replace, and the sympathy of all of us goes out to you.” Sergt-Major Bryant, who was killed while leaving the trench on July 26th, was the second son of Mr Wm Bryant, of Rugby. He was 43 years of age, and leaves a widow and eight children, six of whom range from 15 to 4 years of age. He had been connected with the Rugby “ E ” Company for 25 years, and in 1914 he won one of the company challenge cups. He was a builder by trade, and was highly respected by all who knew him.

NEWBOLD-ON-AVON.

On Wednesday last Mr and Mrs Neal received official intimation from the War Office that their son, Pte W H J Neal, of the Royal Berkshire Infantry Regiment, was killed in action on July 30th. Pte Neal was 19 years of age on the day he was killed. He only enlisted on the 13th of April last as a Driver in the Royal Field Artillery. He had been transferred about a week to the Royal Berkshire Infantry Regt and sent out to France, when he met with his sad end. On enlistment he was being employed by the Sparking Plug Co, but had previously worked at the Rugby Portland Cement Co at Newbold for a considerable time. He was a bright youth, and much sympathy is expressed with his parents in their sad bereavement.

LOCAL WAR NOTES.

We regret to learn that Major Darnley is lying very ill in hospital in Malta.

Lieut-Col F F Johnstone is returning to the command of the 2nd Battalion the Warwickshire Volunteer Regiment.

Temporary Lieut W C Muriel, of the 9th Battalion Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, has been promoted Captain as from the 1st of July.

Capt E R Hopewell, of the 7th Worcestershire Regt, who was wounded in the recent fighting in France, has been awarded the Military Cross. He is a son of Mr E W Hopewell, formerly of Rugby.

MOTOR LORRY FATALITY.

Attempting to board a motor lorry in motion, Corporal Edgar Percival Haddock, of the Royal Engineers, stationed at Welford, Rugby, fell and sustained severe internal injuries, from which he died soon after admission to Northampton Hospital, on Friday last week. At the inquest, held at the hospital on Saturday evening, a verdict of “ Accidental death ” was returned. Corpl Haddock, who was 19 years of age, was a son of Mr Edgar Augustus Haddock, the director and principal of the Leeds College of Music and the director of the Mayfair School of Music. He was a motor engineer, and at the time of the accident was working with other members of his Company on the telegraph wires on the main road between Northampton and Rugby. He was located at Rugby for a time.

FATAL AVIATION ACCIDENT NEAR RUGBY.

TWO OFFICERS KILLED.

As the result of a collision between two aeroplanes near Rugby on Thursday afternoon one of the machines crashed to the ground, and the occupants, Lieuts Rogers and de Frece, of the Royal Flying Corps, were killed instantly. The other machine made a safe descent, saw the occupants were uninjured.

In consequence of the accident a concert, which was to have been given on behalf of a Soldiers’ Comforts Fund, was postponed.

LETTERS FROM “ E ” COMPANY MEN.

To the Editor of the Advertiser.

SIR,—As one of the old “ E ” Company Terriers, I am writing a few lines to let you know that some of us are still plodding along.

Since we came out to France some 17 months ago we have been practically under shell fire the whole of the time, with the exception of about a fortnight, when we were going to have a rest, but were recalled to have another spell in the trenches. Although up till the present time we have not been what we called “ over the top,” we have done some excellent work, for which we have been greatly praised by the various commanders. For one to say that he had not been away from the Battalion an hour during this long period of trench life hardly seems credible, but this is the case with the majority of us. All through the winter we had to keep pumps going, as the water was very often up to our thighs, and overflowed into the tops of gum boots, which we were provided with for winter trench work. Then, again, we had wiring to do at night. Doubtless, if our neighbour across the way could not find us sufficient work one way, he would do so by shelling our wire and trenches. During our tour we have experienced shell of all calibre. Among those we received there was one which we named “ Gommy Lizz ”— a most objectionable neighbour, for when it exploded it would throw pieces of metal with razor-like edges. The largest of these bombs weighed about 200lbs.

I must not forgot to tell you of the things that happen behind the lines in the way of amusements. There are three Pierrot troupes, who used to give us some splendid turns. Then, again, there is the cinematograph. This we must thank the B.S.A for. It is a splendid machine, and included engine and dynamo for lighting purposes.

Now we have the Divisional Band, which plays to our Battalion in turn. It is composed of all the best musicians in the Division. When hearing this it makes us wish we were in the Park at Rugby instead of this place.

I must now return to the trench life, as I think this is our most important work. We have been in the great offensive, for which we were highly praised, and I might also say we have been in the great advance, but am very sorry to say we lost some of our best pals. The work of our guns, both large and small, has been excellent at this point. I will now close, leaving us all in the best of spirits and health,—I remain, yours sincerely, A. V. A.

August 2, 1916.

A TREACHEROUS GERMAN.

DEAR —-— Just a few lines in haste to let you know I am all right. No doubt by now you will know we have been in for it. We have lost very nearly all of the Company. I am the only sergeant left. We have no officers ; they are all wounded or killed. We thought none of us would get through alive. We smashed them up with a seven hours’ bombardment, and then went for them. We got into their second line, and stopped there for about two hours. The slaughter was awful ; there were heaps of dead. Captain — was killed going over, two lieutenants were wounded, and the others we do not know anything about. We sent about 35 prisoners back from their front line to ours. I stood talking to the sergeant-major at the time, and one of the Germans asked for a drink of water. One of our men gave him one, and as soon as he had had a drink he snatched up a rifle that stood by the trench and shot our Company sergeant-major through both legs. I need not say what became of him. I am glad I am all right, thank God ; but their are a good many that have gone. Just fancy, it took two years to train the Battalion, and they were cut up in about two hours. But I will not say any more about it ; I want to try and forget it. GEORGE.

To Employers

Employers are reminded that it is an offence under the Munitions of War Acts 1915 and 1916, punishable by Fine not exceeding £50, for any person to Employ anyone who has been engaged in a Controlled Establishment within Six Weeks from the date of leaving unless he or she can produce a Leaving Certificate (Form M.T. 23), or a Certificate issued by the Chairman of a Munitions Tribunal.

The attention of Employers is directed to Statutory Rule No. 121 relating to Certificates, also to M.M. 14, being a Memorandum for the guidance of Employers in regard to Leaving Certificates which can be obtained upon application at any Labour Exchange.

The British Thomson-Houston Co. Ltd.
Willans & Robonson Limited.

PROSPETS OF DEARER BREAD.—There has recently been a substantial advance in the price of flour. Within three weeks it has risen by 8s a sack, and it is very possible that the effect will be that householders will have to pay more for their bread in the near future. Sugar continues to be scarce and dear, and the Sugar Commission has just issued posters urging economy in the use of this very essential article of food.

DEATHS.

HARVEY. Killed in France on July 1st, 1916, Lance-Corporal Harvey, 1st Hampshire Regiment, son of Mrs. R. Harvey, Windsor Street, Rugby, aged 35.
“ He bravely answered duty’s call,
His life he gave for one and all.”

IN MEMORIAM.

LEACH.—In loving memory of our dear son, Percy John Leach, who was killed at Sulva Bay, Gallipoli, on August 6,1915.
“ A light is from our household gone,
A voice we loved is still;
A place is vacant in our hearts
The world can never fill.
He went away to a distant land,
And fought his country’s foes;
He there was kept by Death’s grim hand :
To return to his home no more.”
—From his FATHER & MOTHER, BROTHERS & SISTER.

ROWBOTTOM.—In loving memory of Corporal S. Rowbottom, Oxford and Bucks L.I., who died of wounds received in action at Ypres, August 12, 1915. Buried near Poperinghe.
“ There isn’t much we did not share since our school-days begun ;
The same old work, the same old play, the same old sport and fun,
The same old chance that laid you out, but winked and let us through,
The same old life, the same old death, ‘Good-bye’ and ‘God bless you.’ ”
—From FRANK and ALBERT (B.E.F.).

WORMLEIGHTON..—In loving memory of Frederick James Wormleighton, R.E., killed August 9th, 1915 (In France).
“ In the midst of life we are in death.”
—From his loving mother, brothers, and sisters.

29th Jan 1916. Compulsion Passed – Five weeks for Unattested Young Single Men

COMPULSION PASSED.

FIVE WEEKS FOR UNATTESTED YOUNG SINGLE MEN.

The House of Lords passed the Compulsion Bill on Wednesday night.

This means that within five weeks from Thursday young single men for whom there is no excuse will be in khaki. Eight groups are already called up—ages 19 to 26 inclusive.

LABOUR’S VOTE.

The Labour Party Conference was resumed on Thursday at Bristol. A resolution was moved in these terms :-

This the National Labour Party protests emphatically against the adoption of Conscription in any form, as it is against the spirit of British democracy and full of danger to the liberties of the people.

The voting was:

For the resolution …… 1,796,000

Against …………….. 219,000

The resolution was declared carried amidst cheers.

SATISFACTORY ENLISTMENT UNDER THE GROUP SYSTEM

Lord Derby stated in the House of Lords on Tuesday night that married men were enlisting in large numbers day by day under the group system. Single men, too, were coming in in bigger proportion than the married, but not to such an extent as yet as to justify the statement that the number still left was a “ negligible quantity.”

Lord Derby mentioned that since his report was issued four lists of reserved occupations had been published, and in four days last week 100,000 badges were distributed. He appealed to the Government to stay their hand in this matter.

It is understood that a farther set of groups will be called up during next month, and a hint to “ Derby ” recruits may, therefore, prove of use. An important point in the scheme was a promise to men who attested that they would be allowed to join the regiments of their choice on being summoned to the colours, as far as this was practicable. A large number of those who responded to the call last week, however, when the first groups were instructed to present themselves, found, it is freely said, that no attention was paid to their wishes, and that they were drafted to corps in which they had no interest. If a man wishes to enter a particular regiment because of personal or local associations, or the presence of friends in the ranks, he will find it advisable, therefore, to enlist in that unit in the ordinary way a few hours before the time fixed for his appearance at a depot under the group system.

LOCAL WAR NOTES.

Lieut. G. T. Hilton, of the Motor Transport Section, has been gazetted captain, the promotion to date from December 1st.

The members of the Rugby Co-operative Women’s Guild recently sent a consignment of socks, and handkerchiefs to the Rugby men in the Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry, and Mrs. Busby, the secretary, has received a letter of thanks from Sergt.-Major Percival Thistlewood, in which he says it gives the Rugby men great satisfaction to know “ that they are still in the memory of their native town.”

On Page 3 of this issue [Not included in this Blog] will be found an account of how the gallant 9th Warwickshires were decimated and lost, all their officers in Gallipoli. There was one officer, however, Lieut. G. H. D. Coates, formerly manager of Lloyds Bank at Rugby, who was not in the fighting. Being seriously ill, he was in hospital at Cairo at the time. Subsequently he was placed in command of the Turkish Officers Prisoners of War Hospital at Cairo, till illness again compelled another stay in hospital. We are glad to learn that he is now convalescent, and is going to Luxor for a month, and after another spell at the T.O.P.W. Hospital hopes to rejoin his regiment.

We learn that Sergt. J, Menelly, of the 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was killed on the Gallipoli Peninsula on January 1st. His parents resided at Downing Street, Belfast, and when the 89th Brigade was stationed in Rugby, he was billeted at 178 Cambridge Street. He was one of the first soldiers to interest himself in the Cambridge Street Wesleyan Soldiers’ Home, and he was subsequently appointed to take charge of the club. He was very popular with all the frequenters of the rooms, by whom he was known as “ Corporal Jim ” and, possessing a rich voice, his services as a singer were in much request. When his regiment was ordered to the front, he was appointed a range finder. The news of his death was received from Corpl Black, who was also billeted with him, and who has been invalided home with the loss of a lung through shrapnel.

GUNNER: E. A. FARNDON WOUNDED.

News has been received by Mrs. E. A. Farndon, of Poplar Grove, that her husband, Gunner Farndon, of the Rugby Howitzer Battery, has been rather badly wounded in the face by shrapnel. He is at present in a hospital in France, where he has been attended by Dr. Hoskyn, of Rugby, and is getting on well.

RUGBY F.C. CAPTAIN’S NARROW ESCAPE.

George Renshaw, the captain of the Rugby Football Club, who, after ten months’ service in France, is now with the Army Service Corps in Salonica, has, according to a letter he has sent to his brother, recently had a very narrow escape. A German aeroplane flew over the corps and dropped a bomb outside the tent in which the Rugby captain was sitting. The orderly outside was seriously wounded, but those inside the tent fortunately escaped injury,. The writer also states that he met George Cave, a well-known Rugby forward who has assisted the local club, at Salonica.

THE SOLDIERS & SAILORS COMFORTS’ COMMITTEE.

AN APPEAL FOR COMFORTS.

To the Editor of the Advertiser.

DEAR SIR,—As announced in your columns last week a committee has been formed to arrange for sending small comforts from the town to all Rugby and New Bilton men serving with the colours.

It is extremely desirable, in the first place, that a complete record should be compiled of all who joined His Majesty’s Forces, and in order to obtain this we are very anxious to secure the co-operation of any who will undertake to go round and get the names in the various parts of the town, and at the same time secure subscriptions towards the fund.

It is not anticipated that many visits will be necessary, and if those ladies and gentlemen who so kindly gave their services to the Prince of Wales’ Fund will undertake their old districts, it will be a great help towards attaining the desired end. I earnestly hope, therefore, that all who can possibly spare time will send their names in to me at 27 Sheep Street.

Yours very truly,
J J MCKINNELL.

SIR,—Would it be out of place to suggest that the Urban Council of Rugby should set aside a piece of ground in Rugby Cemetery as a Heroes’ Portion, in which free interment could be made of soldiers who died on returning from active service or Home defence to their native town. It seems rather grim to suggest this, but the fact has to be faced that many soldiers may return broken in war and perhaps so injured that their enfeebled constitution will hardly enable them long to survive. I understand that several places have already done this, and I read that Northampton Council has set aside a portion of the civic cemetery for this purpose. The town should surely relieve the relatives and parents of the dead heroes of the necessity of paying for graves; indeed, the town should deem it an honour to grant them a last resting-place, upon which future generations could not look unmoved. I would go so far as to suggest that all Rugby men serving with the colours should be able to claim a last resting-place in this portion, no matter how long they live after the war, for they are all heroes, and should be remembered as such to the end of their days, and after.

GR B. LEESON,
On Active Service.

WELCOME HOME FOR SOLDIERS.

DEAR SIR,—I read Mr. Twyford’s letter in last Saturday’s issue of the Rugby Advertiser on the reception of soldiers home on leave with great interest. The City of London National Guard Volunteers have members of their corps stationed at every London terminus day and night to assist and direct soldiers from the front coming home on leave by giving advice as to train routes, etc. I am sure that if the Rugby Volunteer Corps could arrange to have one or two of their members in turn at Rugby Station to meet soldiers and could arrange for conveyances for them, those of the National Guard on duty at Euston would warn soldiers travelling to Rugby to look out at Rugby Station for similar assistance.-I am, Sir, etc.

EDWARD G. ROSCOE.
The Paddock House, Gerrards Gross, Bucks.
January 23rd, 1916.
The Secretary, War Office, London, has sent to all Masters of Foxhounds a copy of the following, showing that their decision to continue to hunt the country is right and fully approved of :—

“ The Director of Remounts has urged upon the Director General of Recruiting that he is seriously concerned in the maintenance of hunts, as the preservation of hunting is necessary for the continuance of breeding and raising of light horses suitable for cavalry work. Lord Derby accordingly trusts that every effort will be made to carry on the hunts in the United Kingdom, but he hopes that as far as possible men ineligible for military service will be employed. But in cases where any men of military age are indispensable for the maintenance of the hunt, an appeal should be made to the Local Tribunal.”

ENCOURAGING THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.—With the increased attention being given to the poultry industry of this country, especially on account of the egg shortage due to the war, it is not surprising that efforts should be made towards the spread of knowledge on this subject in Warwickshire. At the meeting last week of the Warwickshire Education Committee a report was submitted stating that the Elementary Sub-committee had received three applications for permission to establish a poultry class, and they had instructed the Assistant Director of Higher Education to report with regard to these and also concerning poultry instruction in elementary schools in the county. There is no doubt that a great deal of good could be accomplished by the dissemination of facts bearing upon the most modern methods of feeding and rearing of birds both as regards egg, yield and flesh formation, and that having regard to the great demand there is for both eggs and table birds, the more information of a practical kind that can be circulated upon the subject in an agricultural county like Warwickshire the better.

MOTOR WORK ON FARMS.

WILL THE HORSE DISAPPEAR ?

The motor could, if properly developed, do any work on the farm except make a hen lay eggs, was the opinion expressed by Mr W J Malden, in an address to the members of the Farmers’ Club at the Whitehall Rooms on Tuesday. It was capable of tearing up deep soil or picking up a pin. He looked forward to the time when a large proportion of our crops would be cut and threshed in one operation. He also considered a motor-driven spade, to be handled by disabled soldiers, could be invented.

The horse, Mr Madden thought, would not disappear from the farm, but it was, inevitable that much of the work hitherto done by horses and men would be done by motor. The most useful form of motor for farm work had, however, yet to be determined.

PROHIBITING IMPORTS.

PAPER PULP AND RAW TOBACCO.

DRASTIC PROPOSALS.

An announcement of far-reaching importance was made by Mr Runciman, President of the Board of Trade, before the prorogation of Parliament on Thursday.

Replying to a question to the House of Committee, he stated that the Government had decided to relieve the pressure on shipping by cutting down some of the imports which are less essential for national existence than others, and which prevent vessels coming to our ports from being used for more urgent purposes, Paper pulp and grass for making paper have been chosen as the first subjects of the operation of this policy because of their great bulk and influence on tonnage. The annual quantity now imported is 1,000,000 tons, and the importation of a large percentage of this total will shortly be prohibited.

Mr Runciman expressed confidence that the Government could rely on the loyal co-operation of paper makers and newspaper proprietors in a step which must of necessity interfere with their business. He appealed to householders, as well as those engaged in every business and industry in which paper is used, to render assistance by exercising rigid economy in the use of paper.

The export from this country of rags and waste-paper is about to be prohibited.

The importation of other articles and materials of a bulky nature will shortly be prohibited, including the following :

Raw tobacco.
Many building materials.
Furniture woods and veneers.
Some fruits.

If necessary this list may be extended until the tonnage pressure is eased.

PRESS ASSOCIATION

BRITISH CASUALTIES OF THE WAR.

Prime Minister, in a written Parliamentary answer to-day, states that up to January 9th the total casualties in all fields of operations were:—

Officers, killed, wounded, and missing, 24,122.

Other ranks, 525,345.

Grand total, 549,467.

 

“ Tell me what you think a full pack weighs,” said the Adjutant to one of the new men.—“ Two hundred pounds, sir.”—The Adjutant gasped. “ What ! he cried, “ Haven’t you been told that it never weighs more than sixty ?”-“ Yes, sir.” said the recruit. “ But asked me what I thought it weighed, and I was thinking of the last time I had one on.”

 

15th Jan 1916. Christmas Gifts for Local Territorials

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR LOCAL TERRITORIALS.

Mr A Adnitt, Hon Sec of the committee for sending comforts and Christmas gifts to local Territorials on service, has received a number of letters of acknowledgment and thanks. Among them are the following :—

DEAR MR ADNITT,—Will you please convey to the “ Rugby Comforts Committee ” our very hearty thinks for the splendid gift of puddings, socks, and dainties which we have received this Christmas.

We received two parcels of socks, and these were greatly appreciated, as we have had very wet weather lately, and it has been impossible to keep dry feet. We also received the box of books and dainties. The puddings arrived Christmas Day, so we had them for dinner on Sunday and Monday, and greatly enjoyed them.

We are very grateful to our many friends, who have done so much for our comfort, and we had as enjoyable a time as was possible under existing conditions. We should also like to express to the Committee our keen appreciation of the tremendous amount of hard work which they are doing for our welfare and comfort. With best wishes for the coming year, I beg to remain,

Yours sincerely,
G. Hopewell., B.S.M,
(Rugby Howitzer Battery).

Quartermaster A C Tomlinson, of the Rugby Infantry, writes from France, under date Dec 29, 1915 :-

I am pleased to tell you that the puddings arrived safely on Christmas night, disappointing us by one day. However, they were just as fully enjoyed the following day. All the Rugby boys wish me to express their grateful thanks to the Territorial Comforts Committee and donors of puddings for their kindness. It will perhaps be pleasing for them to know that the puddings were the only reminder of Christmas that we had. Other than that, the day was the same as any other. It could not be otherwise. We were on trench duties, consequently nothing could be relaxed. The day passed quietly on our front, except for artillery fire ; this was about as active as usual, intensifying towards evening.

One of our platoons—many of them Rugby men—had the pleasure of mingling with a gun team of the Rugby Howitzer Battery.

Your letter of the 21st overwhelms one with a sense of what the T.C.C. is doing for our comfort, and it is difficult for me to sufficiently express our thanks. The articles you mention will be most useful and very welcome. I will let you know when they arrive, and will do my best to distribute them so that no one is missed. Of course, I cannot reach men who are in hospital or on detached work away from our near neighbourhood.

I cannot close without asking you to express our thanks to Mrs West for her good wishes and interest—not only to ourselves, but to our friends at home.

In a subsequent letter dated the 10th inst. Q.M.S. Tomlinson acknowledges the receipt of the four bales of “ Tommies ” cookers, shirts, socks, sponges, etc, which had been distributed. He adds: “ Everybody is delighted with the cookers and sponges. Both are most useful. Capt Payton, who is in command of our company, was particularly struck with them, and will shortly convey his thanks to the T.C.C. On behalf of my comrades of the old E Company I cannot sufficiently thank the T.C.C. and our good friends of Rugby. I can but say how deeply we appreciate their kindness.”

MOUTH ORGANS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS WANTED.

DEAR EDITOR,—Just a line or two from a few of the Rugby boys who are doing their bit in France. Although our battalion is not a local regiment, there are a good many boys here from Rugby with us, so you can imagine your paper is well known here. . . . We are having a very rough time of it in the trenches just now, and are experiencing a little of what some of the boys went through last winter. Up to the knees in water and sludge is now getting a common occurrence, but the spirit of the lads in these hard times is wonderful. Small things of this kind cannot help but put a feeling of confidence in one’s mind and foreshadow an optimistic view of what this unconquerable spirit will do when the time for bigger operations comes. However, it is when we are out of the trenches that we need something to take the place of the excitement which we leave behind. The chief thing that appeals to us is, as yon may imagine, music, and never are we so happy as when we are murdering the chorus of some popular song. But what we want most is a few mouth organs, for many of us can play them ; and we should esteem it a favour if you could find room to publish this letter in the good old R.A., in the hope that it will catch the eyes of some kind-hearted readers, who will do their best for us. I am sure that if the good people at home could only see the pleasure that is derived from these generous gifts, they would only be too pleased to grant us this small request,-—Yours truly, Bandsman J GUBBINS, 170, A Co 10th Batt R.B, British Expeditionary Force, France.

OLD ST. MATTHEW’S BOYS ON SERVICE.

The following are extracts from typical letters received from “ old boys ” of St Matthew’s School, by Mr R H Myers, headmaster :—

Writing from Egypt, Lce-Corporal P Labraham, of the Warwickshire Yeomanry, says : “ I dropped across Alfred Baker at Christmas. He had been out on a frontier fight, and had just returned. Our Christmas dinner was reminiscent of old England, consisting of turkey, beef, fruit, etc. Baker and I drank a toast to the memory of our schooldays during the evening. The Museum here is very fine, and redolent of almost everything connected with ancient Egyptian life. There are mummified cats, birds, babies, cows’ heads, and, of course, an infinite number of the ordinary kind. The old Egyptians took an enormous amount of trouble to preserve their dead, some being placed in five coffins, the last of great size, and ornamented with splendid specimens of Egyptian inlaid work. The jewels here are alone worth a day to examine—golden finger-stalls from some mummies, crowns, ear-rings, bracelets, stones, and charms.”

Pte G Favell, 6th Leicestershire Regiment, writes : “ I spent Christmas Day and New Year’s Day in the trenches, and shall never forget the experience. It was pouring with rain, and we were hard at work shovelling mud out of the trenches. There was no kind of truce this year at Christmas. We always remember that the Germans are enemies, and must be treated as such. They have asked for trouble with a capital T, and they will get more than they bargained for before the ‘lads in khaki’ have finished with them. We opened the year. 1916 by presenting them with a few souvenirs in the shape of leaden pills, which may be all right to look at, but are very indigestible. There is no doubt that we have now got the upper hand in . the West, and we are looking forward to the end of the war in the near future.”

P E .Hughes, Leading Seaman, on one of his Majesty’s ships with the Grand Fleet, writes : “ We are getting it pretty rough at present somewhere in the North Sea, but it does not seem to trouble the boys, who are merry and bright as usual, and still waiting for the Huns. I am afraid there will be nothing doing, as they are getting enough from the boys in the Baltic, who are luckier than we are, though we hope to have the pleasure of meeting them yet.”

LOCAL WAR NOTES.

Lieut-Colonel F Dugdale, C.V.O., from the Warwickshire Yeomanry, is gazetted lieutenant-colonel in the Territorial Force Reserve.—Mr D L Hutchison has been given a commission in the Yeomanry.

The New Year honours include the conferring of the K.C.B. on Vice-Admiral R H S Bacon, C.V.O., D.S.O.

An artillery officer writes to a friend in Rugby that his battery is peculiarly well off with respect to lighting accommodation. The battery is stationed near a coal mine somewhere in France, and, by tapping a wire which supplies current to work a fan in a mine shaft, electric light is obtained in the dug-out.

Mr C J Bowen Cooke, the chief mechanical engineer for the London, and North-Western Railway, who has been gazetted major in the Engineer and Railway Staff Corps, has been connected with the L. and N.-W. R. for forty years, commencing as an apprentice in the Crewe Works, and he is the author of several works on British locomotives.

Messrs H and R S Sitwell, sons of Mrs Sitwell, of the Manor House, Leamington Hastings, and the late Canon Sitwell, were gazetted to lieutenancies in the Derbyshire Yeomanry. At the outbreak of the war both were farming in South Africa, and they at once left their farms in the care of others and joined the force which conquered German West Africa. The former has also had experience with the Germans as a prisoner, as, a few days before the surrender, while carrying despatches he got behind the German lines. Fortunately the captive period was very short, the surrender bringing his release.

“ A CERTAIN LIVELINESS.”

Mr Charles Barnwell, of 56 Manor Road, recently received a letter from his son, who is in the Rugby Howitzer Battery at the front, in which he says :- “ Two mines under the German trenches in — were successfully exploded. Rifle, machine gun, and also artillery fire was opened on the German trenches immediately the explosion took place ; the mountain gun swept the ground behind the crater at a range of 150 to 200 yards. For some time after the explosion nothing could be observed owing to the heavy cloud of dust and smoke. When the atmosphere had cleared it was seen that the corner of the parapet for quite thirty yards was completely demolished. The firing of the Howitzers was particularly effective. They obtained six direct hits on the enemy’s rear parapet, and placed the remaining rounds into the —. Almost immediately after the explosion the enemy replied with rifle grenades from their trenches, and at 10.25 a.m. their guns opened fire upon the edge of a wood, and the paths and roads leading up to our front

LAST CHANCE FOR THE SINGLE MEN.

ADVICE TO RECRUITS.

The following notice, issued by the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee, was posted throughout the country on Saturday :—

GROUP SYSTEM.

Enlistment in groups will reopen on Monday, January 10, and proceed until further notice. All men between 18 and 41, both single and married, who have not attested should do so at once at the nearest recruiting office.

The month’s notice to men whose groups have been called up will commence from the day of their attestation.

Attention is called to the fact that a great deal of labour and inconvenience will be saved to the recruiting authorities if men desiring to attest will, wherever possible, do so in the area in which they have been registered under the National Registration Act. The right to attest in any area is not withdrawn, and attestation will still be accepted in any district irrespective of the area of registration ; but such men as can possibly attest in their own area are asked to assist the recruiting authorities by so doing.

The conscientious objector has already made his appearance. A tall, robust young man walked into the inquiry office at the recruiting headquarters in London on Saturday. “ I have a conscientious objection to fighting,” he began ; “ will you direct me to the proper channel for the utilisation of my services as a non-combatant ?” The young man was passed on so that his request should receive full consideration.

Outside the naval recruiting offices in the Strand chalked on a board is the warning, “ No conscientious objectors need apply.” – on the other side is an exhortation : “ Now then, you single men, don’t let grandpa join first.”

COVENTRY MUNITIONS TRIBUNAL.

ANOTHER LONG LIST OF CASES.

There was a further big batch of cases to be heard before the Coventry Munitions Tribunal on Monday afternoon. Professor F Tillyard presided, and the assessors present were Messrs W C Macartney (employers) and J Roberts (men), together with Messrs P E Wilks (clerk) and D G Bolland (assistant clerk).

Willans and Robinson, Rugby, complained that Frank Hancox, press tool setter, Rugby, had absented himself without leave. Defendant said he was unfit for work, and it was stated that he had not gone back to work yet. Hancox said he was 29 years old, and earned 30s a week. The Chairman : Tool setters seem to be cheap in Rugby.—Defendant: They are.—The Chairman said that, taking into consideration that his wages were not high, defendant would be fined 10s.

Nearly all the others were Coventry cases.

PAPER FAMINE PROBABLE.

DIFFICULTY OF OBTAINING RAW MATERIALS.

Many industries have been hampered by reason of the war, but it is doubtful whether any trade has faced more difficulties than the paper industry. The outlook is stated to be so serious that if the present condition of affairs continues for long there must be a paper famine in this country. Paper is made principally from three classes of materials—namely, rags, esparto (a strong fibrous grass grown in North Africa and on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea), and wood pulp. Rags are used in the manufacture of the best class of hand-made paper, but that material does not play an important part in the trade difficulties now experienced. Esparto is an important ingredient, and before the war large quantities were imported into Scotland. There is now a great difficulty in obtaining supplies, and this is one cause of the present shortage of paper and the consequent high prices. Shipping freights have increased enormously. The present rate is between 30s and 40s a ton, as compared with the pre-war rate of 2s 6d to 5s. The Scottish manufacturers of paper are considerably handicapped because of the shortage of railway trucks to carry the raw material from the ports of entry to the. districts where the paper mills are situated, while, in addition, there is a great shortage of labour at the manufactories.

Chemical dyes for colouring paper are practically unobtainable. The limited supply available is sold at a very high price ; in some cases the cost is 40s to 50s a pound, as compared with 2s before the war. Bleaching powder is largely used by manufacturers, but the bulk of this material has been commandeered by the Government. Wood pulp is mainly imported from Scandinavia. As the Germans are unable to obtain an adequate supply of cotton for the manufacture of explosives they are large buyers of wood pulp, which is said to be a good substitute for cotton. Consequently the imports of wood pulp to this country are much below the normal ; while, as in the case of other commodities, the price is very high. With the exception of rags, there are no raw materials in this country with which to make paper, and the present shortage of all kinds of paper is due to this fact. “ I have been to Scotland on three recent occasions,” said a Birmingham paper manufacturer to a newspaper representative, “ and I find the word ‘famine’ is in the mouths of all the manufacturers there. Some of the mills are standing idle because supplies of raw material cannot be obtained, and also because of the scarcity of labour.”

Germany used to send considerable quantities of paper to this country, principally vegetable parchment. That supply ceased on the out-break of war. The supply of flint paper from Belgium has also ceased, while grease-proof paper from Scandinavia is sent over in very limited quantities. It may be found necessary shortly to abandon the use of coloured paper for wrapping purposes, and shopkeepers are advised to exercise the greatest economy in the use of paper bags. Thin bank paper and super-calendered papers are very scarce.

THE NEW LIGHTING ORDER.

THE EFFECT IN RUGBY.

In Rugby on Monday night, the inhabitants both in the business and residential parts of the town, showed a general disposition to comply with the new regulations, which require a more drastic reduction of external and internal than hitherto.

The publication of the regulations in the columns of the Rugby Advertiser enabled householders to get a definite idea of the extent to which illumination must be reduced, but the methods by which results entirely satisfactory to the authorities could be obtained, were not so easy to devise. While in some cases lights were not completely shaded and a good deal of illumination found its way on to the roadway, in the main there was little to complain of, and perhaps in many instances people went to the other extreme, and the “ dull and subdued light ” permitted by the regulations was eclipsed altogether.

Many tradesmen, especially in the centre of the town, closed their places of business altogether at six o’clock, being under the impression that the streets would be so dark that customers would not venture out. But the public lamps were lighted as usual almost without modification, and the illumination they gave, combined with the light from the new moon, was sufficient to enable people to walk or ride through the streets with little or no danger of collision.

With regard to street lamps, we understand there are to be further modifications. Superintendent Clarke has commenced a tour of the town, and is ordering the extinction of lamps except at points where he considers, them to be absolutely necessary for the safety of the public, and in a few days the town will probably wear a much more sombre aspect at night than it did on Monday.

In some instances, where shopkeepers had not gone far enough to suit the requirements, further restrictions were ordered.

Speaking generally, there has been an honest attempt on the part of tradespeople to meet the requirements of the Order, but the results on Tuesday night, when police officers made an inspection of some of the principal streets, showed that quite a number of shopkeepers had not shaded their lights sufficiently. When this was pointed out to them they displayed a willingness to meet the wishes of those responsible for the carrying out of the new Order. Isolated cases of obstinacy may have been found, but these proved the exception to the rule, and suggestions to further reduce the light were in nearly every case promptly acted upon. These consisted of advice to extinguish altogether certain lamps, to close doors, to entirely draw down the blinds, or to change the colour of the shading material from red to dark green or blue.

In some: cases electric globes of the required colour have been adopted with good effect.

 

1st Jan 1916. Rugby’s Record in the Great War

RUGBY’S RECORD IN THE GREAT WAR.

A LOCAL RETROSPECTIVE.

LIST OF CASUALTIES AND RECIPIENTS OF HONOURS.

Once more the New Year has been ushered with the accompaniment of a great and terrible war, and a brief review of the way in which Rugby has endeavoured to do its share in bringing the contest to a successful issue may not be out of place. As is already well known, in the early days of the war Rugby gained a fine reputation in the matter of recruiting, and up to the institution of the Group System, about 3,200 recruits passed through the Rugby Drill Hall to the various depots—an excellent record considering the embargo that was placed on the enlistment of railwayman and munition workers. As will be seen from the accompanying list, a considerable number of the gallant fellows who trooped into the Drill Hall so enthusiastically and light-heartedly in August and September, 1914, to obey the call to arms, have made the great sacrifice ; and, on the other hand, several have gained either decoration or honourable mention.

In addition to the number of recruits who have joined Lord Kitchener’s Army, the majority of the members of the two principal Rugby Territorial units, “ E ” Company, R.W.R., and the Howitzer Battery, volunteered for foreign service, and have been engaged on the Western front for nearly twelve months. The Warwickshire Yeomanry, which includes a troop of Rugbeians, has also been in action in the Dardanelles, and has covered itself with glory. Then, too, in the early months of 1915, at the request of the War Office, Mr J J McKinnell, who as chairman of the Urban District Council, in two unprecedented years, has rendered yeoman service to the town and nation, raised a local company of Fortress Engineers. Mr E W E Kempson was appointed to the command of the company, which was very quickly raised and equipped. The preliminary training was carried out at Rugby, with the Howitzer Battery Drill Hall as headquarters, and the company is now somewhere in England, expecting to be ordered abroad at any time.

The number of employees of the B.T.H Company who have enlisted with the colours is 1,126, and practically the whole of the men of military age at present in the works have attested under the Group System.

The employees from Messrs Willans and Robinson’s with the colours consist of 15 officers (including one staff-captain) and 233 men, 248 in all. Of these, two officers and ten men have already been killed, and one man, Bomb. Handyside, has been awarded the D.C.M. and Medaille Militaire. Nine hundred W. and R. employees have attested under Lord Derby’s Group System.

During the early months of 1915 the splendid 89th Brigade of the 29th Division, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Border Regiment, and the South Wales Borderers, were billeted in the town. During their brief stay the gallant fellows, by their courteous and gentlemanly bearing, made countless friends, and the glorious deeds they have since accomplished, which have thrilled the whole world, are naturally discussed with pride by Rugbeians, while their terrible losses, especially in the early days of the Gallipoli landing, cast quite a gloom over the town. Many of the brave fellows have gained coveted rewards, notably Captain Sullivan and Sergt James Somers, of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who have been awarded the Victoria Cross, and the great reception which was accorded to Sergt Somers on his return to Rugby after receiving the decoration from the King will long remain a pleasant memory with Rugbeians.

The occasion of the soldiers’ departure from Rugby was marked by the most noteworthy local event in the war—the inspection of the Division by King George on the London Road between Dunchurch Station and Stretton-on-Dunsmore, witnessed by some thousands of Rugbeians.

As usual, the residents of the town and district have responded loyally to the many calls which have been made upon them, and the sum of £3,518 15s 11d was raised in the town for the Prince of Wales’ National Relief Fund. Large sums have also been provided for the relief of the Belgian Refugees, the British Red Cross Society, local V.A.D. Hospitals, French Flag Day, Lifeboat Institution, the Russian wounded, and the various comforts funds. There are now three V.A.D. Hospitals in the Rugby district : Te Hira, Rugby, Ashlawn, and Pailton House, and these are all supported by subscriptions obtained in the town and villages adjacent, and are run by voluntary workers.

In the early stages of the war Dr David kindly placed the School Sanatorium at the disposal of the authorities for use as a temporary Red Cross Hospital, but early in 1915 it was found necessary for the School to take over the building again.

Mr C E Blyth, of Cawston House, some 14 months ago placed a portion of his residence at the disposal of the authorities for a Red Cross Hospital, and the earliest patients were a number of Belgian soldiers who fought bravely in the attempt to keep the Huns from ravaging their native land.

At the outbreak of war a Patriotic Association, for the purpose of drilling men past the age for military service, was formed, but this, failing to find support from the War Office, was disbanded, and in December, 1914, the Rugby Volunteer Training Corps was founded. This body, which has the approval, more or less, of the Government, has been well taken up by the ineligible men and munition workers, and under the able command of Mr C H Fuller, the corps has made good progress.

A branch of the Women’s Volunteer Reserve has also been successfully started, and already these ladies have made themselves useful in several ways.

Various funds for helping the soldiers have been started locally, and of these two of the most successful and deserving are the Territorial Comforts Committee, of which Mr Adnitt, Regent Street, is the secretary, and the Prisoners of War Relief Committee, with Mr J R Barker secretary. The first-named has sent hundreds of parcels of comforts, etc, to the local Territorials, and the Prisoners of War Committee send parcels of comforts to each local prisoner of war, who is otherwise unprovided for, each week. Both funds have so far been well supported, but as the expense is continuous more funds are urgently required.

Another noteworthy effect of the war has been the influx of Belgian refugees, and a colony of considerable dimensions has been established in the town. The first contingent of Belgians to arrive were housed, at Te Hira for a time, and others have been provided for at No 17 Hillmorton Road, two houses in Albert Street, two at Bilton, and large residences at Newton and Clifton—the two latter places being under the charge of the Newton House Refugees’ Committee. In addition to these, a considerable number of Belgian workmen are employed in the Engineering Works in the town.

RECIPIENTS OF HONOURS.

On several occasions Rugby and district men have figured in the lists of those awarded special honours, and Major J L Baird, the popular Member for the Division, who proceeded to the front in August, 1914, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the Cross of the Order of Leopold. Viscount Feilding, of the Coldstream Guards, has also received the D.S.O. for great gallantry and distinguished service in the field. The gallant officers have also been mentioned in despatches. The Medaille Militaire, the French V.C. has been won by Lance-Corpl W Barnes, of Long Itchington, and the following local men have received the D.C.M. : Sergeant Loveridge, R.W.R. ; Corpl Keeley (B.T.H.) 4th K.R.R. ; Pte A Hotz (B.T.H.), 1st East Surrey Regiment ; Sergt Vernon S Robinson, 2nd Wiltshire Regiment ; and Bomb J R H Handyside, D Batt, 71st Brigade, R.F.A. Bomb Handyside has also been awarded the Medaille Militaire.

Capt J W Goddard, R.F.A., and Sergt-Major F A Nason, Army Veterinary Corps, two old St Matthew’s boys, have won the Military Cross and been mentioned in despatches. Lieut A J Harris, the late Lieut R A J Beech, Sec-Corpl E L Damant, Royal Naval Division, and Sergt-Major (now Sec-Lieut) Hart have also been mentioned in despatches ; and Corpl Stent, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, was commended for great gallantry in the trenches. Sergt F Knight, 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoons, of Long Lawford, has been awarded the (1st Class) Russian medal of St George.

THE DARKER SIDE.

Rugby and district has, in common with the whole country, suffered severely in the matter of casualties, and over 200 young fellows from the district have sacrificed their lives in the great cause, and many more have been wounded. Below we give what is, as far as possible, a complete list of those who have been killed, of who have been reported missing so long that there is, unfortunately, little doubt as to their fate :—

1914

Wise, Engineer St S, son of Mr E T Wise, H.M.S. Cressy, Sept 22nd.

Goodman, Pte Walter George, R.W.R., 170 Oxford Street, August 26th.

Busson, Pte William, R.W.R., 30 Sun Street, August 26th.

Oldershaw, Pte H, 2nd Grenadier Guards, Bilton, September 20th.

Morris, Lieut A G A, Royal Lancashire Regt., son of Mr and Mrs F A Morris, Pailton House, October 13th.

Woods, Gunner William, R.F.A., late 35 Bath Street.

Hales, Pte Harry, R.W.R., Pinfold Street, New Bilton, October 13th.

Morgan, Pte S, Welsh Regiment, Crick.

Parker, Lance-Corpl E J, Coldstream Guards, 19 Corbett Street, died of wounds, Nov 3rd.

Thrasher, Gunner, 19th Battery R.F.A., 6 Charlotte Street.

Dale, Able Seaman H, H.M.S. Good Hope, 88 Abbey Street.

Ransome, Steward Walter, H.M.S. Good Hope, Rugby.

Thorneycroft, Pte G, 1st R.W.R., Hillmorton, October 23rd.

Richardson, Dr Martin, Medical Service Corps, late of Wolston.

Over, Pte Charles Herbert, 2nd R.W.R., Brinklow, Ypres, October 20th.

Pearce, Gunner W H, Dunchurch, H.M.S. Bulwark.

Edmans, Stoker F S, 82 Lawford Road, New Bilton, H.M.S. Bulwark.

Dagley, Pte Charles, 2nd Dragoon Guards, 11 Bridget Street, New Bilton.

Kind, Marine Walter John, late B.T.H., killed in Battle of Falkland Isles.

Bathe, Pte Wm John, 1st South Staffs, 93 Lawford Road, New Bilton, October 29th.

Lawlor, Midshipman Martin (died of fever).

Hutt, Pte W J, Northants Regiment, Clifton, November 5th.

White, Pte J E, Grenadier Guards, Dunchurch (died of wounds).

Goodwin, Pte —, R.W.R., son of P.S. Goodwin, King Edward Rd., missing (believed dead).

Reynolds, Pte A Bayliss, 2nd Leicesters, Gas Street, died from wounds December 10th.

Wells. Corpl Walter, 1st R.W.R, Marton, died from wounds.

Parker, Lieut, Westfield House, Rugby.

Shaw. Pte J P, 2nd Northants, Hillmorton, December, 1914.

1915

Goodman, Sergt Henry, Coldstream Guards, Lutterworth, January 15th.

Milne, Bandsman, 2nd Scottish Rifles, died of wounds received while attending to a wounded comrade, February 2nd.

Justice, Pte Hy, Coldstream Guards, Napton, January 24th.

Norman, Pte R, Dunchurch.

Richardson, Pte John, Coldstream Guards, Dunchurch, February 11th.

Beech, Lieut R A J, Queen’s Lancers, Brandon, February 21st.

Dipper, Pte A, Coldstream Guards, Stretton-on-Dunsmore, March 5th.

Sheppard, Rfn Wm, 3rd K.R.R., Corbett Street, died from wounds February 28th.

Manton, Sapper E L, R.E., formerly B.T.H.

Judd, Rfn George, K.R.R., Winfield Street, Rugby, March 19th (first Kitchener recruit from Rugby to be killed).

Dale, Rfn F, Rifle Brigade, Easenhall, March 22nd.

Underwood. Pte I, R.W.R., Long Lawford.

Congreve, L-Corpl F, 2nd Leicesters, Churchover, Neuve Chappell, March 11th.

Adkins, Pte J, K.R.R., Stretton-on-Dunsmore, March 16th.

Douglas, Pte R L, Liverpool Scottish, B.T.H. Main Test. March 19th.

Dodson, Rfn W, 4th Rifle Brigade, Newbold, March 24th.

Rice. Pte George, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Rugby Town A.F. Club).

Fox, Pte Norman, 1st R.W.R., Rugby, March 21st.

Howard, Pte F, Worcester Regiment, Rugby, April 10th.

Powell, Corpl E R T, Warwickshire Yeomanry, Swinford Rectory, drowned on Wayfarer.

Steel Rfn E, K.R.R.. Cosford, March 16th.

Prestidge. Rfn J, Rifle Brigade, Barby, April.

Brooke, Sub-Lieut Rupert, R N. Division, died of sunstroke at Lemnos on April 23rd.

Webb, Lance-Corpl G, 1st Leicester Regiment, Adam Street, New Bilton, April 28th.

Green, Pte J, Leicester Regiment, Catthorpe.

Stebbing, Pte Sydney Reginald, Motor Machine Gun Section, Craven Road, May 4th.

Hefford, Second Officer Percy, son of Mrs W F Wood, Market Place, drowned on Lusitania, May 5th.

Johnson, Corpl T F, E Company, R.W.R. (Maxim Gun Section), May 9th.

Gartenfeld, 1st Res R.W.R., Lagoe Place, April 25th.

Davis, Second Lieut Claud, R.G.A., Manor Road, Rugby, died of wounds.

Beard, Pte Cecil, 13th Battery Canadians, Murray Road, killed in May.

Jackson, Second Lieut E P, Pailton, 3rd R.W.R., att. 1st South Wales Borderers, May.

Hancocks, Sergt H H, K.R.R., Hillmorton Locks, April 25th.

Hancox, Pte Charles, 1st R.W.R., Kings Newnham, April 25th.

Keen, Rfn R B, Winfield Street (missing since May 9th).

Porter. Rfn J R, K R.R, Avenue Road, New Bilton, May 8th.

Griffiths, Rfn Herbert R B, Kilsby, April 27th.

Dawson, Corpl Tom, K.R.R., Braunston. May.

Pateman, Sergt W, 1st Coldstream Guards, Braunston, May.

Payne, Lce-Corpl H, 1st R.W.R., Long Lawford, April 25th.

Piper, Pte E A, Rugby (missing since April).

Nicholls, Pte —, Gloucester Regiment, police constable at Rugby, May 15th.

Hyde, Second Lieut, Rokeby Street, Rugby, Royal Sussex Regiment, att. 2nd Royal Iniskilling Fusliers, missing since May 17.

Mordaunt-Smith, Second Lieut Lionel St George, 2nd R.I.F., May 15th.

Upperton, Rfn Joseph, Oxford Street.*

Hardman, Rfn Walter, James Street.*

Humphreys, Rfn Fred, Lagoe Place.*

* Rifle Brigade, missing since May 9th.

Leake, Lieut, 9th R.W.R., Leamington Hastings, died of spotted fever, May 29th.

Dunbar, Gunner J L. Rugby Howitzer Battery, Bilton Grange, May 27th.

Altree, Rfn H, K.R.R., Rugby, May 9th.

Berridge. Rfn G, Rifle Brigade, Barby, May 13th.

Mason, Eng. Room Artificer, A. A., Rugby and Long Buckby, H.M.S. Goliath.

Hammond, Pte C D, Rugby, May.

Hill, Pte Lewis, E Company, 7th R.W.R., Newbold, May 29th.

Clifton, Pte Thomas, Worcester Regiment, Brinklow, May 9th.

Hence, Corpl Wm, 2nd Border Regiment, Newbold, May 16th.

Freeman, Gunner Harold, R.F.A., Bilton (died of pneumonia), June 7th.

Waterhouse, Capt Rennie, B.T.H., 7th Lancashire Fusiliers, Dardanelles, May 10th.

Brooke, Lieut Alfred, Bilton Road, 2nd Post Office Rifles, June 14th.

Reynolds, Pte Frank, 2nd Northants Regiment, Dunchurch Road (missing since May 7th).

Grant, Pte H, Newbold (missing since May 9th).

Hunt, Regt-Sergt-Major A J, R.H.A., Rugby, May 28th, Dardanelles.

Clowes, Lance-Corpl R, E Company, 7th R.W.R., Rugby, died of wounds.

Hughes, Lance-Corpl J, E Company, R.W.R., Rugby, June 18th.

Jones, Pte A, 6th Leicesters, New Bilton, died from appendicitis.

Newton, Rfn L J, 7th K.R.R., Rugby, June 17th.

Williams, Pte J, Newbold, Rifle Brigade (missing since May 10th).

Hands, Pte J, Scots Guards, Napton, shot by sniper.

Coleman, Pte G W, 5th Oxon and Bucks L.I., of New Bilton (missing).

Foster, Rfn Jesse, Barby.

Hancox, Pte Charles, Stretton, died of wounds.

Coombes, Pte Arthur, New Bilton, 1st R.W.R., died of wounds in July, buried at New Bilton.

Sutton, Drvr William, Rugby Howitzer Battery, Newton, accidentally shot at rest camp, July 4th.

Astill, Pte Herbert, 5th Oxon and Bucks L.I., Hillmorton, died of wounds received while bringing in wounded, June 29th.

Pegg, Pte Harold, Bedford Regiment, New Bilton, died from septic poisoning.

Benford, Rfn A T, K.R.R., Rugby, July 6th.

Underwood, Pte Cyrus, 1st R.W.R., Bilton, July 9th.

Rogers, Second Lieut H G, 9th Somerset L.I., Rugby, in July at Dardenelles.

Martin, Sergt, 7th K.R.R., Bilton, July 1st.

Docker, Pte Leonard, Coldstream Guards, Rugby, July 8th.

Davenport, Pte Hy Herbert Davenport, formerly of Churchover, June 22nd.

Smith, Pte Wm, Lutterworth (missing since June 6th).

Barnwell, Lance-Corpl George Thomas, 1/6th S. Staffs (T.F.), Rugby, died from wounds in July.

Fiddler, Rfn H, 7th K.R.R., Plowman Street, July 20th.

Redfearn, Rfn J, 7th K,R.R., Victoria Street, New Bilton, died from wounds July 23rd.

Roberts, Sergt C H, K.R.R., Rugby, July 30th.

Tomlinson, Rfn Wm, K.R.R., Rugby, July 30th.

Preston, Rfn John Henry, 7th K.R.R,, Rugby, July 30th.

Smith, Rfn Herbert, K.R.R., Rugby, July 30th.

Marriott, Sec-Lieut F E, Rifle Brigade, Cotesbach, July 30th.

Watts, Lance-Corpl A E. K.R.R., Rugby, August.

Coley, Rfn G, K.R.R., Rugby, July 31st.

Goadby, Rfn George, K.R.R., Bilton, August 7.

Wormleighton, Sapper F, Royal Engineers, Rugby, August 10th.

Rowbottom, Corpl S, Oxon and Bucks L.I., Rugby, August 12th.

Pepperday, Pte Leslie, H.A.C., Rugby, August 13th.

Walker, Pte J E, R.W.R., Brinklow, October 14th, 1914.

Aris, Lance-Corpl M, Oxon and Bucks L.I., Rugby, August 6th.

Sims, Rfn J H, 8th K.R.R., Rugby, July 30th.

Lee, Rfn F, Rifle Brigade, New Bilton, July 30th.

Wright, Lance-Corpl T, Monks Kirby

Norman, Pte Bert, Oxon and Bucks L.I., Rugby August 25th.

Justice, Pte A, 5th Oxon and Bucks L.I., Newton.

Wadsworth, Rfn W, K.R.R., Hillmorton (missing since July 30th).

Hitchcock, Pte Clifford, 7th Batt, 2nd Canadian Contingent, Rugby, August 27th.

Cockerill, Pte T, K.O.Y.L.I., Hillmorton, August 25th.

Leach, Pte Percy John, 2nd Hants, Rugby (missing since August 7th, Dardanelles).

Evans, Rfn Harold, K.R R., Rugby, August 7th.

Ward, Pte T L Walter, 2nd Hants, New Bilton, missing since August 7th, Dardanelles).

Forehead, Lance-Corpl W T, 7th South Staffs, Rugby, died from wounds August 24th.

Jiggle, Pte Edgar, 9th R.W.R., Rugby (missing since August 10th.)

Ward, Lance-Corpl A Wood, 7th South Staffs, Rugby, August.

Joyce, Lance-Corpl P, 9th R.W.R., Rugby (missing since August 10th).

Chater, Pte W, Oxon and Bucks L.I., Rugby, died from wounds, September 15th.

Peel, Corpl R R, 66th Field Coy., R.E., Rugby, Sept. 1st, Dardanelles.

Osborne, Gunner Geo, 92nd Batt. R.F.A., died from dysentery at Dardanelles on August 21st.

Wilson, Lieut Hugh Stanley, 8th Worcesters, Rugby School, Sept. 15th.

Hopkins, Pte Frank, 6th Dorsets, Long Lawford, September.

Bluemel, L-Sergt N E, H.A.C., Rugby, died of wounds Sept. 23rd.

Hollis, Pte H T, 9th R.W.R., Frankton, August 10th.

Negus, Rfn E, 12th Rifle Brigade, Rugby, September 21st.

Shone, Pte Tom, Rugby, September 25th

Towers, Pte Martin Victor, Oxon and Bucks L.I., Harborough Fields Farm, Harborough Magna, September 26th.

Hinks, Pte John, Oxon and Bucks L.I., Rugby, September.

Barber, Corpl F, Oxon and Bucks L.I., Rugby, September 25th.

Bates, Pte A, Oxon and Bucks L.I., Rugby, September.

Snutch, Pte B, Rugby (missing since Battle of Loos).

Cashmore, Pte C, Oxon and Bucks L.I., Hillmorton (missing since Battle of Loos).

Stent, Corpl Percy, Oxon and Bucks L.I., Rugby, September 25th.

Glover, Sergt, Royal West Kents, Newton, September 14th.

Russell. Gunner P E, R.F.A, Rugby, October 3.

Sleath, Rfn F W, 12th R.B., Clifton, Sept. 25th.

Marriott, Sec-Lieut Digby, R.B., Cotesbach, October 9th.

Lintern, Bugler W, 12th R.B., Clifton, Sept. 25th.

Dunn. Sec-Lieut R I, Royal Engineers, Kings Newnham (missing since Sept. 25th).

Attenburgh, Pte W G, Oxon and Bucks L.I., Rugby. Sept. 25th.

Freeman. Rfn George, 5th R.B., Kineton, October.

Busson, Pte, Oxon and Bucks L.I., Rugby, October 17th.

Kirby, Pte C, 2nd Worcesters, Hillmorton, September 26th.

Green, Pte Bert, 7th Northants, Kilsby, Sept.

Goffin, Pte Wm, Oxon and Bucks L.I., Rugby (missing since Sept. 25th).

Chambers, Pte E, R.F.A., Wolston.

Reader, Pte, 9th R.W.R , Wolston.

Elliott, Pte F. R.W.R., Wolston.

Morris, Pte H W. Oxon and Bucks L.I., Wolston.

Page. Bugler Wilfred, Oxon and Bucks L.I., Rugby, Sept. 25th.

Izzard, Pte, Rugby.

Garratt, Pte Frank, 2nd Coldstream Guards, Braunston, October.

Munnings, Pte W, R.A.M.C., Rugby.

Robinson, Pte Kenneth, R.F.A., Rugby, Sept. 29th.

Stone, Pte S G, 2nd Worcesters, Rugby. Oct. 9th.

Langham, Pte W, Oxon and Bucks L.I., New Bilton, October.

Davis, Pte Walter, Oxon and Bucks L.I., New Bilton (reported missing in October).

Louch, Pte T, 3rd Coldstream Guards, Newbold-on-Avon, October 8th.

Summers, Pte Fred, Oxon and Bucks L.I., Rugby (missing since Sept. 25th).

Harris, Pte W B, Bilton, Territorial Force.

Bacon, Sec-Lieut Dudley F C, 4th Durham L.I., att. 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers, late of Wolston, died from wounds, November 1st.

Morton, Bomb T, R.G.A, Pailton, died of pneumonia.

Sheasby, Sapper Francis L, R.E., Napton, October 15th.

Dodd, Corpl E, Oxon and Bucks L.I., Rugby, October 16th.

Woodhouse, Pte Percy, 2nd Oxon and Bucks L.I., Rugby (missing since Sept. 25th).

Bellingham, Gunner W, R.F.A., Rugby, died of wounds, October 27th.

Wise, Lance-Corpl. H,, 7th Staffs, Kilsby, Aug. 9th.

Attenborough, Pte W, Oxon and Bucks L.I., Wolston.

Dyer, Pte H, 10th R.W.R., Dunsmore, died from wounds, Sept. 18th.

Collins, Rfn John, K.R.R., Kineton, died from wounds, November 25th.

Goldfinch, Gunner A, R.F.A., Willoughby, died from enteric, October 19th.

House, Rfn John Alfred, K.R.R., Rugby, November 10th.

Dodd, Com-Sergt-Major A J,. 1st R.W.R., shot by mistake by sentry in France.

Dorman, Sergt J T, A.S.C., Rugby, died of appendicitis in France.

Lieut James Forbes, RE., Rugby, December.

Keane, Lieut F J P, Rugby, November 25th, near Baghdad.

Clarke, Pte W, 6th Dorsets, Rugby, Nov. 15th.

Abbott, Rfn Ernest, 12th R.B., Rugby, Dec. 10.

Poulton-Palmer, Lieut R. W. (O.R.), Royal Berks ; international Rugby football player.

Powell, Lieut. Kenneth (O.R.), famous lawn tennis player.

PRISONERS OF WAR.

The following men are known to be prisoners :-

Phelps, Pte A, New Bilton, Rifle Brigade.

Hancox, Lance-Corpl, Rugby, R.W.R.

Hirons, Pte A, Coldstream Guards, Churchover.

Beard, Pte Sidney, Rugby, 2nd R.W.R.

Adams, Pte W, Dunchurch.

Collins, Corpl H, New Bilton, Coldstream Guards.

Wood, Rfn C, Rugby, Rifle Brigade.

Smith, Pte L, Rugby, K.R.R.

Mace, Pte J, Hillmorton, Oxon and Bucks L.I.

 

THE ISSUE OF ARMLETS was resumed at the Drill Hall on Tuesday afternoon.

RECRUITING AT RUGBY.

Contrary to expectations in some quarters, there has been a lull in recruiting locally during the past week, and only a few men have enlisted ; but it is expected, now that compulsion appears to be a certainty, matters may look up somewhat.

A large supply of armlets has been received, and grouped men may obtain one by producing their white cards.

We are asked to point out that attested men who write to the recruiting authorities, and desire an answer, will save the officials a good deal of unnecessary work if they mention, when writing, their group number, and whether married or single.

WEAR YOUR ARMLETS.

The King has written to Lord Derby expressing the hope that every man who is entitled to wear the Armlet will do so, “ as a proof to his fellow-countrymen ” of his response to the King’s call for recruits.