Rushden Research Group: Parcels Fund WWI

Parcels Fund WWI

A card sent to Freda Brown in thanks for supporting "soldiers' comforts"

Certificate given to Jimmy Flanders who 'helped to send comfort and happiness......'

Rushden Argus, 12th March 1915, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Soldiers' Thanks

The following notes of thanks for cigarettes and tobacco sent to them by a Rushden lady through a newspaper, have just been received:

From Pte. W. Bates (a Rushdenite), 1st Northants Regiment: "Dear Madam,—Just a line to thank you for your parcel of tobacco and cigarettes, which I received to-day. They come in very well, as we are just about run out. Hoping you and yours are quite well; I am in excellent health myself. We are now resting, but expect to be moving any time now."

From Pte. W. Cooper: "Thanks very much for tobacco and cigarettes. They are very much appreciated by the men. My home is at Thrapston, and I have been to Rushden a few times. We are very thankful for what the people at home are doing for us."

From Pte. A. King (Northants Regiment): "Got cigarettes quite safe, and we all thank you for them. We are all in the best of health, and going on all right. Hope you are the same in England; so good-bye."

Rushden Echo, Friday 19th October 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

Soldiers’ Jam—The scholars of the Newton-road and North-end day schools at Rushden so far have been out on four occasions, and the total weight of the blackberries gathered for soldiers’ jam and dispatched to the collecting centre is just over 1,200lbs. The last picking yielded 2cwts., compared with 3½cwts. for the first picking.

Rushden Echo, 23rd November 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

Parcels For The Front-The Postmaster at Rushden calls attention to the fact that parcels for the British troops in France should be posted as long as possible before December 14th. No parcel for the B.E.F. will be accepted after December 14th until December 26th. Letters for delivery by Christmas Day must be posted by December 16th. parcels should be posted early, packed well, and addressed fully and clearly.

Rushden Echo, 30th November 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

Christmas Parcels Fund - The Independent Wesleyans of Rushden – Gifts for the Soldiers
The Independent Wesleyan School, Queen-street, Rushden, was packed to its utmost capacity on Monday night, when a fine concert, arranged by Mr A H Lawson, was given on behalf of “The Soldier Boys’ Christmas Gift Fund.” The Rev C J Keeler presided over an enthusiastic audience, which was privileged to hear a really first-class programme. The artistes, who, in view of the object, all kindly gave their services, comprised: Miss Eveline Harlow (soprano), Miss Doris West (contralto), Mrs Norman (elocutionist), Mr Bernard Tomkins (tenor), Mr G Pitchford (entertainer), the Independent Wesleyan Male Quartette, and the Independent Wesleyan Choir, under the conductorship of Mr A H Lawson. The pianoforte accompaniments were supplied by Miss May Percival, A.L.C.M., and Mr W T L Flood. All of the artistes gave of their best, encores were numerous and response generous.

The programme was as follows: Glee, It was a Lover and his Lass, Choir; song, In an old-fashioned Town (Squire), Miss E Harlow (encored); recitation, His Luck, Mrs Norman (encored); song, The Garden of your Heart (Davel), Mr B Tomkins (encore, Speed the Plough, Martin); monologue, Mr Beastly Eyeglass, Mr G Pitchford (Encore, Little Breeches); song, Mountain Lovers, Miss D West, aurtette, When Evening Twilight, Quartette Party; recitation, If I were a Man, Mrs Norman (encore, The Rehearsal); monologue, Proposals, Mr G Pitchford (encore, The Encore); glee, In his Hour of Softened Splendour, Choir; song, God send you back to Me, Miss D West (encore, Roses); recitation, The Sicilian’s Tale, Mrs Norman (encored); song, Good-bye (Tosti), Miss E Harlow (encored); quartette, Simple Simon, Quartette Party; song, Asra (Newton) Mr B Tomkins; monologue, Welshmen at a Football Match, Mr G Pitchford (encore, Lessons in Elocution); glee, O my Love is like a red, red Rose, Choir; duet, Miserere Scene from “Il Travatore” (Verdi), Miss E Harlow and Mr B Tomkins (encore, A Night in Venice, Lucanitone); recitation, Panning, Mrs Norman (encored); monologue, The Street Watchman’s Story, Mr G Pitchford; glee, Ye Mariners of England, Choir.

Rushden Echo, 18th January 1918, transcribed by Kay Collins

For the Boys—We consider that one of the finest presents we have seen for a long time for the boys serving in His Majesty’s Forces is the novel match-box case sold by Mr. Charles Robinson, the newsagent, High-street, Rushden. A photograph is worked on to the case, and any portrait can be copied. Our representative was surprised at the large number of orders shown him by Mr. Robinson, these orders coming not only from Rushden and the district, but also from all parts of England.

[Is it possible that one of these match boxes has survived? If so we’d be delighted to see a photograph of it please.]

B Denton Parcels Fund WWI