Medal for one war hero and family reunion for another
HERE in this weekly feature we take a look back at the Rochdale Observer from 100 years ago...
●●FIRE AT OAKENROD MILL
Yesterday morning, considerable damage was done through a large mixing of cotton catching fire on the second floor of Messrs. A. Tattersall and Co., in Oakenrod Mill. The Rochdale Fire Brigade, on being called, soon got three jets to work, and the fire was extinguished after two hours’ hard work. The cause of the outbreak is unknown.
●●A ROCHDALE BOMBARDIER’S GALLANT ACTION
There was an interesting ceremony in the Mayor’s Parlour at the Town Hall on Saturday morning, when the Mayor, Alderman Blomley, J.P., presented the Distinguished Conduct Medal to Bombardier Taylor of the Royal Field Artillery. Bombardier Taylor’s home address is 8 Robert Street, Rochdale. The official statement of the winning of the medal says it was awarded: “For distinguished conduct on March 12th, 1915, when Bombardier Taylor made his way alone along a heavily shelled road and showed great courage and coolness all day in repairing telephone wires under heavy fire.”
●●£5,000 WANTED FOR LANCASHIRE PRISONERS OF WAR
At a meeting of Rochdale and district representatives at Rochdale on Wednesday, in support of the Lancashire Fusiliers’ Prisoners of War Funds, it was explained that owing to largely increased numbers of prisoners (now numbering about 800) and the extra cost of food, at least £28,000 will be required from the whole of the recruiting area this year. Of this, Rochdale and district is to raise between £3,000 and £5,000.
●●BROTHERS’ HAPPY REUNION
Sergeant Thomas Lumsden (Lancashire Fusiliers) of 3 Jerrold Street, Littleborough, a repatriated prisoner of war, arrived in England on Saturday last. He was taken to a London hospital, and there, to his great surprise, was placed in the same ward as his brother, Private Willie Lumsden. Sergeant Lumsden was in France 11 months before he was taken prisoner on July 31 of last year. Whilst in the hands of the enemy he had his right leg amputated above the knee. His brother, Private Lumsden, has lost the left foot owing to severe wounds received in action..
●●WAR CASUALTIES
Private Clifford Ashworth of the Lancashire Fusiliers, son of Mr and Mrs Ashworth of Millgate, Smallbridge, is officially reported to have been killed in action on January 28. He was 21 years of age, and associated with St John’s Church, Smallbridge. Private Harold Crowther of the Devon Regiment, who had been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in action, was killed on July 1, 1916. He was a son of Mrs Stead of Elizabeth Street, Smallbridge, and recently at the Bury Barracks, she received the decoration won by him.
●●SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED
A party of 40 wounded and sick soldiers from the hospitals in the Littleborough district were the guests of the employees of J. and J. Cryer Limited, Littleborough, at a social gathering held in the King’s Hall, Littleborough, on Tuesday evening. Messrs. T. and A. Ashton had charge of the arrangements. Mr S Whitaker (pianist) and Mr Bentley (violinist) played the musical accompaniments. As the evening advanced, cigars and cigarettes were distributed among the guests who were also entertained to a supper of coffee and cakes.