The Rushden Echo, 23^rd March, 1917, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Unfit For Military Service - Yet Passed For The Army
Friendly Societies’ Council’s Protest

  A meeting of Kettering, Rushden, Raunds, Finedon, and Wellingborough group of Friendly Societies’ Councils was held at Kettering on Saturday, Bro. A. W. Partridge, of Wollaston, presiding.  Bro. G. W. Coles, of Rushden, gave an address on “Should Friendly Societies be represented on public bodies?” a good discussion following.

  The following resolution was passed, on the motion of Bro. Hill (Kettering):-

  “Resolved that this group meeting of Kettering, Rushden, Raunds, Finedon, and Wellingborough Friendly Society Councils whilst reaffirming its determination  to loyally support the King and his Government in the prosecution of the war to a successful and decisive conclusion, requests the National Conference of Friendly Societies to make strong representation to the proper authority respecting the too common practice of Army Medical Boards in passing as fit for military service men who, as soon as they commence training break down in health, and after spending a time in hospital are discharged as unfit, such procedure causing much unnecessary suffering to the men themselves, and entailing much unnecessary expenditure upon the country, and upon the Friendly Societies, while detracting from, rather than adding to, the military strength of the nation.”

Presentation—An interesting presentation was made at the British United Shoe Machinery Co.’s Depot on Saturday to Mr. Ivan Allen, son of Mr. Allen, the town sanitary inspector. Mr. T. Smith, the manager, presented Mr. Allen, the stock clerk, with a nice silver cigarette case, on his leaving the firm to join the Motor Transport. Mr. Smith voiced the good wishes of the staff, and hoped the young man would have a happy and successful career in H.M. Forces.

As Nurse—We have to congratulate Miss Helen M. Groome, daughter of Mr. G. H. Groome, of Higham Hill, on her patriotic motive in volunteering for service in France with the Red Cross. She resigned her position as a school teacher at Newton-road School in order to go abroad.

Presentation—A pleasing presentation took place at the Park-road Baptist Sunday School on Sunday morning, when Mr. Reg Tomkins was presented with a “Waterman” fountain pen, on the occasion of his leaving the school to join His Majesty’s Forces. In the absence of Mr. Frank Sharwood, the superintendent, the presentation was mad by Mr. J. T. Bettles, who spoke of the valuable services that Mr. Tomkins had rendered as organist for the past three years, and wished him, on behalf of the officers and morning teachers, a speedy and a safe return.