Teachers helped bring rationing to book as war wounded arrived
HERE in this regular feature we take a look back at items in the Rochdale Observer from 100 years ago
●●NEW RATION BOOKS
A voluntary staff, approximating four hundred Rochdale teachers and senior scholars of the Secondary School, commenced yesterday morning, the writing of the new ration books.
By midday, the first batch was handed into the post office for distribution.
By last night, the major portion of the 83,000 books were written.
With very few exceptions, the teachers responded to the invitation issued to them.
The schools were closed for the day and the technical and secondary schools presented a very busy scene all day, the examination hall and several of the larger classrooms having been specially adapted for the work.
This time, the books are being posted as completed and not in street order as before.
No anxiety need be felt by persons, therefore, who do not receive, for a few days, their books.
The distribution will take about 10 days.
Whoever has not returned his reference leaf should do so at once as no book will be issued without it and, in November, that will mean none of the rationed foods will be purchasable till the book is obtained.
Care should be taken to read and preserve the instructions sent out with the books.
It should be seen that the name and address are written on the cover of the book, on the reference leaf and on each page of the coupons.
The books must be taken to the present retailers for him to stamp.
●●LOCAL WAR ITEMS
On Saturday, Mr T E Logan’s Concert Party entertained the wounded soldiers in the Greenbank Hospital.
Since Friday, 45 wounded soldiers have arrived at the Ambulance Drill Hall Hospital, which now accommodates about 300 men.
At the Memorial Hall, Norden, nine wounded men were admitted on Saturday and three were transferred to the Castleton House on the same day.
Today, 40 cases are expected House. at Castleton
●●WAR CASUALTIES
Private Sam Down (Loyal North Lancashire Regiment), whose home was at 5 Trafford Street, Rochdale, was killed in action on September 12. He was 19 years of age.
Shell concussion and a fractured skull led to the death in hospital abroad on September 25th of Gunner Fred Leach, Royal Field Artillery.
He was 26 years of age and the son of Mrs Leach, of 6 Warren Street, Rochdale.
●●MARRIAGE OF MISS PILLING
The marriage of Miss Irene C Pilling, eldest daughter of Mr Walter Pilling JP and Mrs Pilling of Downham House, Rochdale, to Captain Derek C H Richardson, MC, 12th Lancers, only son of Mr and Mrs C H Richardson, took place at the Chapel Royal, Savoy, on Saturday.
The bride was attended by one little bridesmaid, Miss Helen Mulliner, niece of the bridegroom.
The best man was Mr R. S. Moore of the 12th Lancers.
The bride’s dress was of silver tissue with a court train of the same material.
Her veil was fastened with silver and she carried a sheaf of lilies.
The bride’s mother wore a frock of pale grey charmeuse with touches of jade green and a black panne hat.
Mrs J W Standring, sister of the bride, wore a brown chiffon velvet frock with hat to match.
Miss Peggy Pilling was in a Parma violet velvet frock with black hat.
The bride’s going away dress was of brown charmeuse. AGO 50 YEARS
As we predicted last week, the large supply of water contracted for by the Corporation from the Dearnley Colliery was being pumped into the new 10 inch mains at the time promised by the chairman of the Waterworks Committee at the last council meeting.
In fact, the machinery was set in motion a day previously and, since Wednesday, with slight intermissions necessary for the adjustment of little faults has been pumping since.