Officers honoured while images of war went on show
HERE in this regular feature we take a look back at items in the Rochdale Observer from 100 years ago
●●KING DECORATES LOCAL OFFICERS
Two Rochdale officers were decorated by the King at the investiture at Buckingham Palace on Thursday - Major Edward Woolmer (son of Mr E C Woolmer of Beech House, Manchester Road) with the DSO and the Military Cross; and Captain R E Oliver of the Mercantile Marine and son-in-law of Mr W H Ashworth of Deeplish, with the Distinguished Service Cross for skill in fighting two submarines for two hours and so manoeuvring his steamer as to get her out of a hazardous position.
●●BRITISH BATTLE
PHOTOS
The popularity of the exhibition of British battle photographs in colour at the Rochdale Art Gallery is well-maintained.
Up to Thursday, some 26,000 persons had visited the exhibition, a figure which easily eclipses all previous records.
The exhibition definitely closes on Sunday and the question of earlier opening on that final day is under considera- tion.
Ten new pictures added this week have attracted considerate attention.
“Part of the day’s bag” as the official slip slays reminds one of a snapshot of a particularly dense portion of a football cup-tie crowd.
It conveys an idea of the manner in which the droves of prisoners are coming in on many fronts just now.
A pathetic but valuable record is “When the Hun had left - Albert Cathedral as it is today.”
The three succeeding pictures are of this shell scarred town.
The lighter side of life on the field is depicted in several of the pictures.
●●BOOKS FOR MILITARY PATIENTS
The Committee of Management of the Birch Hill Military Hospital reported the receipt of a letter from the Rochdale Libraries Committee offering to lend to the hospital from 50 to 100 books of general literature which could be exchanged every three months.
The Hospital Committee officer, and the board endorsed its action.
●●WAR CASUALTIES
Private Ernest Eaton, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, the son of Mr J W Eaton, of Woolfenden Street, Smallbridge, was killed in action on September 4.
He was 21 years of age, and prior to enlistment four years ago, worked in the mule room at the Arkwright Mill.
Stoker Thomas Bridge is officially reported to have lost his life on September 16, as the result of an internal explosion on the monitor on which he was serving.
He was 23 years of age, and formerly resided at 16 Cromwell Street, Rochdale. Before the war commenced he was in the Mercantile Marine but later was transferred to the Royal Navy.
●●LOCAL AMUSEMENTS
Whoever wants a thrilling subject in a picture, a story that is well acted and is, moreover, not too far from the border line of probability ought to be satisfied with ‘Stolen Honour,’ which has first place in today’s programme at the Public Hall. It is a William Fox production and the chief role is taken by Virginia Pearson.
She is an artist in this film, getting mixed up in the foolish love angles of a heedless girl and endangered by the jealousy of certain unscrupulous persons at the foreign embassy.
There is a valuable picture which Virginia has copied and the copy is substituted nefariously for the original.
Suspicion falls on Virginia, but she wins through will credit.
It is a film which one could see round again, the dramatic moments in it being finely portrayed.