A Call to Arms

By Alan Lowe

This is an account of the men of Mid Cheshire who answered the call to arms in 1914 and the families they left behind as reported in the local press of the time. The book tells the story of how they joyfully went to war believing it would be "All over by Christmas" before eventually discovering its true horror.
You can read how the Cheshire Regiment made a gallant stand at Audregnies which saved the BEF after the Battle of Mons but cost them 78% of their compliment. You will also read of the people at home who tried to carry on without them. How they raised funds to support the war and made "comforts" for their men at the Front and how they gave succour to the many Belgian refugees who came to the area having fled from the German hordes who had invaded their country. On a lighter note you will be informed of the local sports results and of the many people found to be "Drunk and Disorderly" and their punishments.
But most of all it is about the men who when the call came to do their duty did so without a moment's hesitation, we should all be proud of their bravery and sacrifice and never forget them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: May 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496981127

Alan Lowe

Alan was born in 1946 and has lived all his life in Northwich. He has a wife and two sons and two grandsons. He gained a 2-1 degree in American Studies at the age of 57 whilst working as a Shiftman at a Hays Chemical. After taking early retirement he worked as a Teaching Assistant for six years before retiring. He is now on the committee of the Northwich Heritage Society and is a Governor at Sir John Deane's Sixth Form College.

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© 2014 Alan Lowe. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 05/22/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-8110-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-8111-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-8112-7 (e)

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Contents

Mid Cheshire Goes To War!

Preface.

Chapter One.

Chapter Two.

Chapter Three.

Chapter Four.

Chapter Five.

Chapter Six.

Finale.

Mid Cheshire Goes to War.

Northwich and District from July to December 1914.

A short history of Mid Cheshire in the prelude and first few months of the Great War as told in the local newspapers of the day.

My grateful thanks go to the Northwich Heritage Society, Northwich Library and its wonderful librarians, the Northwich Chronicle, Northwich Guardian, Weaver Hall Museum, Tony Bostock, Forces War Records and also thanks to Carlscam for saving me the trouble of visiting all the local memorials and to all the other kind people and groups who have made this book possible; but most of all to my wife, Judith for putting up with the long hours I spent in Northwich Library and in front of my laptop.

MID CHESHIRE GOES TO WAR!

This is the story of a small town and the surrounding area coming to terms with the reality of war. I may mention in passing some things that happened before July 1914 and after December 1914 but only because I think they might be of interest to local people and when they do have some connection, albeit slight, to the period I am covering. But this book is about those final six months of 1914 when the world began to change forever.

Most of the information in this book is gleaned from the archives of the Northwich Guardian, published on a Tuesday and Friday and the Northwich Chronicle which was published on a Saturday (Where they report the same story I have only used both versions if they were reported differently) I have included what was going on in the chapels and churches, which in those days tended to be better attended and more important than they are today, but only when something I viewed as important was happening. But it also contains information from individuals, the Northwich Heritage Society, the Northwich Reference Library, the Cheshire Regimental Museum, the Weaver House Museum and other publications and web sites such as www.forceswarrecords.co.uk. During my research I found thirty one memorials in the area to the men who gave their lives in the conflict; some men are to be found on more than one memorial as they might be on a Brunner Mond memorial and on a church memorial as well for instance. I found no V.C. winners from the area despite the claim, printed in the Northwich Guardian on the 2nd April 2014 that a Private J. H. Rutter of Little Leigh and the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment had won one. This turned out to be bogus. But I did find Thomas Arthur Jones DCM VC service number 11000, who though from Runcorn had a mother who was from Barnton as well as several other family members and also Sergeant James Clarke VC service number 37721, who though living in Rochdale at the time was actually born in Winsford in 1894 only moving to Rochdale in 1913 when he was 19. Sadly I also found details of Lance Corporal James Holland of 16, Flower Street, Northwich aged 31, service number 13857 of the 10th Battalion the Cheshire Regiment who was Shot at Dawn on 30th May 1916 for cowardice and leaving his post. To lose a family member at all must have been devastating, to lose one in this manner must have been doubly traumatic though in fact it was only after the war that families would actually be told they had been Shot at Dawn, at first they were notified they had been Killed in Action. I also discovered the brothers, George and Harry Boden of Williams Street, Northwich who both died in the conflict, Harry in March 1918 and George in October 1918 and how their brother Leslie was sent home after the death of his brother George echoing the case of Saving Private Ryan. It has been a difficult task deciding what information to use and what to discard the subject matter being so huge. Nearly a million men from these islands lost their lives including over 8,000 from the Cheshire Regiment alone of which a thousand or so came from our own area (With two hundred and forty six named on the War Memorial near St Helens Church alone.)

Supplying an army of millions was an incredible achievement. The British Government supplied the Western Front with six million shirts during the four years of war for instance and heaven alone knows how many trousers, socks, boots not to mention guns, bullets and shells, and remember all these men had to be fed and watered every day for four long years. Cheshire being a farming county took a big lead in this. But in those heady days before the war started no thought was given to such things until in late July 1914 it became clear that Britain was going to be drawn into what became be known as The Great War.

Where possible I have tried to discover the fate of the men I mention in the text and if they died I say where and when, if I say nothing it means that as far as I can ascertain they survived to go home. My aim is to inform but not to bore, I hope I have succeeded.

Preface.

Many readers may be unaware why the war came about and I will try to give a short explanation. However I must make clear that this is far from a complete explanation, the reasons are far too complex to explain in just a few paragraphs.

The Ottoman Empire still held parts of Europe within its control though it was in terminal decline. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was also in decline but in denial. When Serbia won the two Balkan wars it became a thorn in the side of Austria. Treaties and agreements were in place linking the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Germany, Germany with Turkey, Russia with Serbia, France with Russia and France with Great Britain, that final link being called the Entente Cordiale as it was not a binding treaty. All the Chemicals for an explosion in Europe were in place and the catalyst that caused the explosion was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie in Sarajevo in Bosnia by a Serbian assassin named Gavrilo Princip giving Austria an excuse to make demands of the Serbian government that it was well aware the Serbians were very unlikely to accede to. The German government gave the Austrians a Blank Cheque to go to war with the assurance that should Russia become embroiled they would step in on their side. But if Russia came in then so would France, Germany knew this and had a plan called the Schlieffen Plan to deal with France when this happened. The plan was basically to knock France out of the war quickly by attacking it through Belgium then turn to face the Russians. Most people in Britain did not believe that their country would be involved in any war that might happen in Europe, Britain only became involved when the Germans demanded free passage through Belgium which the Belgium Government naturally denied. Britain, along with several other nations, including Germany had signed a Treaty in 1839 guaranteeing the neutrality of Belgium so despite the German Chancellor declaring the Treaty a Chiffon de Paper (A scrap of paper.) when the Germans invaded Belgium Britain declared war on Germany.

It should be made clear that Britain could not allow any nation to dominate Europe as this would threaten its pre-eminence in the world and it certainly could not allow this nation to be Germany who in the past few years had been building up its fleet from a situation of being 3.7-1 to a 2.1-1, of the British fleet, almost halving the difference in the size of the two navies. This increase in German naval power was a genuine threat to Britain’s global dominance of the seas.

That in a nutshell is why the war happened, but as with any war the reasons were far too complex to compress into two paragraphs, even now academics are still arguing who was actually to blame but I hope that it will help in understanding the rest of the story.

Chapter One.

July 1914.

For Northwich as for most towns in Britain 1914 started no differently to the year before. Since the ending of the Boer War Britain had been at peace except for minor disturbances in her colonies, most notably in Ireland where the issue of Home Rule was causing grave concern. The only thing of real note that had happened in Northwich had been the surprise visit in January of Prime Minister Asquith to Delamere Golf Course, apart from that people were simply getting on with their daily lives no differently than they had done in the years of Queen Victoria and her son Edward VII. They had a relatively new king, George V who had come to the throne in 1910 but very little apart from that had changed. In January of that year Sir John Brunner had urged the country to reduce arms production and Mr. Hayward MP said, It was a disgrace to see nations struggling to make their navies bigger than each other. It was common sense that nations should live in peace and look upon each other not as rivals but as comrades. However the Editor of the Guardian disagreed and said, The need is never more apparent than it is today for a strong navy because in the words of the Military Correspondent for the Times, naval power is the foundation upon which all military power and policy rests with an Empire like ours. Mr. de Knoop agreed and said, It is fatally dangerous to reduce the Navy by one ship.

I have read many times that the summer of 1914 was a lovely one, whether true or not is of no real consequence, with what was to come it was bound to be viewed through Rose Tinted Glasses. It did rain on some days as we shall hear as we trawl through the newspapers of the time.

On the 28th June 1914 the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip. It was the main news in Europe but not in Britain where the escalating violence over votes for women, strikes in many industries and the real threat of a civil war breaking out in Ireland were more of a concern. The idea that the death of an Archduke would precipitate a disaster on the scale it did never entered anyone’s head in Great Britain. So it is no surprise that the assassination got very little coverage in the local newspapers of the time.

I say very little about the local council’s meetings or what was going on at the local churches and chapels in July as I felt they had little to do with the theme of this book, however, I do start to mention them more as the story goes on as they all become more embroiled with the war, raising funds for the war effort, putting up and supporting the Belgian refugees etc. As I have said my aim is to inform but not to bore.

My great Uncle William Lowe fought in the war as a machine gunner (William supposedly lied about his age to get in) as did my maternal Grandfather William Dunn, he was a regular who fought at Audregnies and several other battles with the Cheshire Regiment. He was wounded at Louvain in 1914 and named a daughter after the place. What their thoughts were in July 1914 I have no idea but they were probably the same as most young men, a patriotic determination to see off the Hun for King and Country. They would have no idea what horrors they would soon face.

In the Northwich Guardian of Friday 3rd July 1914 the paper did report that the House of Lords on the preceding Tuesday had adopted a motion expressing indignation at the assassination of the Archduke and his wife and asked the King to express their sympathy to the Emperor of Austria, the House of Commons did likewise. (This was five days after the actual event.) It then went on to report on the Over Annual Festival stating there had been picturesque scenes and dances and that the Crowning Ceremony had been conducted by Mrs Dempster.

The rest of the paper that day was concerned with such things as the profit made by the Mond Nickel Company (£297,613) and that it had declared a dividend of 35% less income tax and a Delightful outing by the local Law Clerks to Buxton.

On another page under the headline Thought he had killed his father. It reported that a young man had supposedly tried to commit suicide (An illegal act at the time.) after attacking his father in a drunken fight and thinking he had killed him. Having jumped into the River Dane he was rescued by the Police. It was ruled he had jumped in to escape and not to kill himself and he was bound over under his own recognisance of £5 to keep the peace for six months. (Every edition of both papers had reports of people being drunk and disorderly or drunk and incapable. In 1914 in London alone there were 68,000 cases reported. It was the reason for the curtailing of opening hours in Britain later in the war. I have included many such cases, but not all!) It was also reported that Northwich Workhouse children were to have a new home at the White House.

It then reported on exam successes at Sir John Deane’s Grammar School and at Northwich Victoria Road Council School where seven pupils had won scholarships. Underneath it reported the death of the Archduke.

Its Jottings section contained some diverse news such as the expectations for the Fete at Lostock the following day (4th) and stating that the glorious summer was helping social functions in Mid Cheshire.

Another item under the same heading contained what the paper said was regretful news that the C-in-C of the Cheshire Division General Sir Henry McKinnon was to relinquish his office in October. The paper claimed he was very popular with the officers of both the army and territorial’s and that he had made a host of friends whilst in the post.

Under Local News it reported that a Firework Display had had to be cancelled due to a thunderstorm causing flooding to part of the venue at Verdin Park. It also reported that a famous troop of Irish terriers were to appear at the Pavilion Theatre plus Leolin an amusing magician, Bert Symes the singing ploughboy, the Three Dales a vocal and instrumental act and the Deakins who were deemed to be clever entertainers. (The Pavilion Theatre was roughly where Waitrose Supermarket now stands; not to be confused with the Finestone Pavilion that stood between where the Plaza cinema now stands and the old Central Ground, home of Witton Albion which burned down in 1916. The Pavilion would finally be demolished in 1956. Another theatre called the Central Palace burned down in 1940 and was where Iceland now stands. There had been a Gaiety Theatre in town in the 19th century and several cinemas would appear in the area after the war including the Castle Picture House in 1919, Empire Cinema on Middlewich Road in 1923, (Now Rudheath Social Club) Barnton Picture Palace in 1929 the same year as the Plaza was built and finally the Regal Cinema in 1939. There was to be a new theatre and the framework was built in 1939 but the war stopped work on it and sadly it was never completed, the area is now called Theatre Court. At the time of writing we have no purpose built theatre or cinema.)

It then reported that there were signs that the Mid Cheshire Motor Bus Company was going to be a profitable concern now that it was up and running confounding the pessimist by its success. The Sunday excursions by char-a-bang to places such as Llangollen in Wales had all been fully booked.

There then came a complaint about foul language from some out of town fishermen that had made the reporter of the incident blush. The editor commented It is this kind of thing that brings the Sunday tripper into disrepute. One or two prosecutions for obscenity would doubtless have a salutary effect.

There was then a report that the favourites in the Castle Private Bowls Handicap were falling by the wayside including last year’s winner Mr. J. Littler to the rank outsider Mr. Fred Jackson. It also reported the victories of Jack Johnson for the World Heavyweight boxing title over Frank Moran and that of Bombardier Billy Wells over Colin Bell of Australia for the British and Empire Heavyweight Championship. Wells had knocked out his opponent in the 2nd Round.

Later in the paper it was reported that two garden fetes were planned for later in the week at Weaverham and Hartford and that Northwich Cricket Team had lost at home.

We then read the shock news that Witton Albion had acquired the services of a Mr. A. Newton an amateur centre forward who had trials in the past with Manchester United Reserves, the shock? He was acquired from Northwich Victoria!

On the Bowls front again it reported that Rudheath still topped Division One of the Mid Cheshire League and that bad weather had prevented round two of the Cheshire Merit from reaching a conclusion. Cheshire were due to play Derbyshire the following day in the Bowls County Championship.

It then moved on to more important matters.

Suffragettes it reported had thrown leaflets into the King’s carriage causing him great annoyance and in Liverpool tests using electricity to kill bacteria in milk had shown very pleasing results. And finally it reported that the Norley Hall Estate of 1,180 acres was to be sold at auction.

The edition of the Chronicle on Saturday 4th July was just as blasé about the crisis in Europe following the Archduke’s death but not before it had announced big sales at all the local stores.

On the sports pages it gave the bowls results as usual and printed the Northwich Victoria fixture list for the coming season. (Home to Nelson on September 5th was their opening game.) In cricket a brilliant last wicket stand saw Northwich lose to South Manchester whilst Winnington drew with Longsight.

It then repeated the story of the boy jumping in the river, before returning to cricket. Hartford lost to Tarporely but Barnton beat Runcorn. Staffordshire beat Cheshire at Tennis and it repeated the story of the Vics player joining Witton.

Girls were wanted at Crowton and Middlewich Road works for making pinafores, frocks and overalls. The pay was 3s 0d per week for 14 year olds and working conditions were described as Good with electric light and efficient heating. It was also well ventilated. The jobs would be available after Whitsuntide.

Other positions on offer were that of Cooks, Farm hands and a Junior Clerk in a solicitor’s office.

It described the Hartford Garden Party as successful despite the rain. and stated that the Church Garden Party at Northwich had been a Brilliant Function. Whilst in the House of Lords Lord Lansdowne for the opposition said they intended to give the Amendment Bill (To the Home Rule Bill.) a second reading. Home Rule for Ireland was still the major issue of the day.

It reported that the Hartford Sunday School Treat at Helling Farm was an enjoyable day despite the rain and that preparations for the Lostock Fete were well in hand. On the same page it reported that Mr and Mrs Robert Hewitt of Middlewich had recently celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. (Staying married for 50 years was unusual in that life expectancy was much shorter than today.)

Under Heat and over exertion cause death. the paper reported the death of Lostock Engine driver Thomas Barber aged 49. He had died at work whilst pushing a loaded wheelbarrow.

At the Northwich Petty Sessions the paper reported that a William Tench and John Morris, both of Whalley Road had be fined for using offensive language, Tench 5/—and Morris 10/—as he had six previous convictions. (You will find many reports of petty crime in here, but only a selection otherwise the book would be many pages longer.)

A Davenham dog owner, Mr Arthur Phipps was fined 2s 5d for not having a collar on his 4 month old pup.

Under the headline Carriage Versus Motor Car it reported the collision of a carriage owned by Mrs Egerton Warburton of Norley Hall and a car driven by a Mr Plinston of Warrington. The car hit one of the horses but thankfully not fatally. It followed that with a report of a Charabanc’s dash through Northwich. The charabanc in question had apparently mounted a kerb damaging the kerb and was said to be travelling at between 15 and 18 mph!! The driver was fined £2 plus costs totalling £3 14s 0d.

The Northwich Guardian on Tuesday 7th July began with a headline that might have been written today. The Headline was, A Year’s Immigration. it declared there had been a slight decline. 469,640 had gone to non-European countries whilst 241,997 had come from non-European countries. (A little bit different to today’s figures.)

For the reader of novels the Guardian provided a complete love story called Her Seaside Acquaintance by Felix Clare. On the same page we had the headline House of Commons (Monday.) In the article it reported that Mr. Asquith replying to Lord R. Cecil said the proposed reform of the second chamber would be laid before the House before the end of the session. (The reform of the second chamber continues to this day!)

Under the heading A Dirty Trick it reported the theft of a back wheel from a bicycle. Ernest Banks and William Ramsden were both fined 20/—and costs for stealing the wheel from the bicycle of Mr. Alfred Mycock.

According to the paper a Headmaster might receive between £120 and £250 but a Headmistress only between £90 and £175. It also reported that Moulton School had been closed due to an outbreak of whooping cough.

At Bowls Cheshire defeated Lancashire home and away in the British Parks Amateur Association competition and in the British Crown Green Association competition Cheshire beat Derbyshire home and away too.

On the advertising page it announced Great Summer Sales at all the big local stores such as J.W. Coombs, Bratt and Evans, W. Price and Co and G.P. Brown Limited.

It then reported that a Northwich Pigeon Fancier a Mr S. F. Griffiths of Broken Cross had won a car and £200 in the Great Northern Marennes Race. Then under the title Mankind’s Greatest Enemy there was a long article on Tuberculosis.

Back on the sporting front the paper announced that Witton Albion were to receive the Lancashire Combination Championship Cup at a Public Tea and concert at the Witton Pavilion on the 23rd July. Their President, Mr. de Knoop would receive the cup on behalf of the club.

In the Northwich Guardian on Friday 10th July 1914 it too announced the big summer sales in the town. On the inside pages it reported an attempted murder at Crewe. The man, Edward George Williams aged 40 shot his wife Lydia with a revolver. His wife made a piteous appeal to the Judge. who ruled him Guilty but insane. He must be detained at the King’s pleasure. He ruled.

There was a big Liberal turn out at Vale Royal where they heard Sir William Byley speak very much in favour of Home Rule for Ireland.

A Mr Wing gave a eulogy to Mr. Joseph Chamberlain calling him A great figure in English Politics.

Under the heading Forcible Feeding. It reported that a suffragette had interrupted a sermon by the Bishop of London. A Mrs. Dacre Fox said, My lord, I call on you to stop the forcible feeding that is going on. I pray you to stop it. I am out under the Cat and Mouse Act and I may be arrested when I go outside. A lady in the congregation put a handkerchief over the ladies mouth at which she said I will go quietly. and was led away. She was re-arrested and taken to Holloway Prison.

(The Cat and Mouse Act meant that women could be freed if there health was at risk from force feeding or hunger striking but could be re-arrested the moment they were deemed fit again.)

It then reported that Mr. T. E. Morris barrister of London had been appointed to succeed Mr. D. A V. Colt Williams as revising barrister for the Northwich Division and other parts of Cheshire.

It then had a headline Mankind’s Great Enemy. By that they meant Tuberculosis. There followed a long article on the disease and Sir William Ostler maintained that 90% of people have at least a small area of the disease.

Under the by-line By the Way. the paper reported the strange case of a dead horse being moved from the road at Sandiway by three motorists. Apparently the horse had simply dropped dead and the motorist had moved it into a field.

On a happier note the paper claimed that many a mother in Northwich was looking forward with eager anticipation to the baby show which will form one of the chief attractions at the parochial fete tomorrow (Saturday.) with over 50 entrants already.

Reporting on the Lostock Fete it said it had been A charming village spectacle. and A huge success. There was unusually a photograph of the Queen, Miss Freda May Hughes surrounded by her maids of honour and other attendants. (There were very few photographs in the paper at this time.)

On a more serious matter the paper reported that the Northwich Salt Compensation Board had allowed claims for the sum of £2,697. Actual claims came to £3,512, 8s,8d from 131 claimants, 121 being allowed and 10 being rejected.

There was then a report of a Charity Cricket Match between the Lostock and Winnington works of Brunner Mond and Company that raised between £3 and £4.

It then gave the Bowls results as usual and showed Winnington leading Division One from Rudheath and Lostock.

For driving an unregistered motor-bicycle Mr. Arthur Postles was fined 10/—and costs. On the same page it reported that there had been meetings at Chelford and Plumley for the Mid Cheshire Show and many decisions had been taken on who would be the Judges etc.

Finally there were many adverts for job vacancies including an Uncertified Teacher at Padgate School Warrington at a salary of between £45 and £65 per annum. There were also amongst other vacancies two at J. Southerton of Castle Street, Northwich, one for a Cake maker and one for a French Polisher. (The page appeared to be the paper’s version of EBay.)

In the Saturday July 11th edition of the Chronicle the front page was covered with announcements of Summer sales at most local stores, whilst in The Ladies Corner was the continuing story.The Restraining Hand by Annesley Kennaly. (We were up to chapter 28!)

On a more sombre note there was the report of the death of Mr. Joseph Chamberlain who had died of heart failure on the 9th July. His burial would be in his home town of Birmingham.

It then moved on to the threatened strike by Agricultural Labourers in the South West. Over 10,000 men were reported to be ready to strike for better wages and conditions. Though not directly effecting Northwich no one could be sure the strike would not spread.

Then came a report of a Sensational Cheshire Murder Case.

Eliza Reeves had hacked to death her husband William at Chelford on the 29th April 1914. She claimed he had abused her shamefully. The verdict was Guilty and she was sentenced to death though the Jury recommended mercy to the Judge who assured them he would pass on their recommendation to the relevant authorities. Mrs. Reeves was removed to Walton Jail.

It then repeated the bowls news that had been in the Guardian on the 7th July but it also reported that Cheshire had lost to Nottinghamshire at Lawn Tennis and that a Barnton man had caught a Bream weighing four and a half pounds at Pickmere and had a total catch of twelve and a quarter pounds.

The Northwich Rural Council reported that cases of whooping cough were spreading and that there had been seventeen new cases in the last few days. It had closed the school and moved the patients to an Isolation Hospital.

Under the heading Healthy Northwich Liberalism it reported there had been a great Divisional demonstration at Vale Royal. It reported record attendances from all districts and there were speeches from Mr. Tom Wing M.P. and Sir William Byley M.P. and others that were very well received.

On sport it reported Winnington now led Rudheath in the Mid Cheshire Bowls League Division One.

The Guardian on Tuesday 14th July opened with a report that the Norley Hall Estate was to be sold by auction at the Grosvenor Hotel in Chester on Saturday 18th July and then reported that Ida the book about the Nun’s grave at Vale Royal by J.H. Cooke could be acquired by applying to Mackie and Co. Ltd.

There was then a short report on the Empress of Ireland disaster and the conclusion that the Stortsad was to blame. Once again there was a complete story for the readers this one entitled Love, The Conquerer by Violet Vincent.

It then reported on the Irish Crisis and a demonstration in Chester under the auspices of the League of British Conventers. They protested the use of the Navy and the Army against the Loyal subjects in Ireland. Some claimed Civil War might result. (Several prominent men had resigned from their positions over the issue of the possibility of being ordered to take action against the Protestants in Ulster. They included Brigadier General Gough, Sir John French and General Wilson all three Irish Generals .)

Under News in Brief the paper reported that Mrs. Pankhurst (It did not state which one.) had again been released from Holloway Jail on Saturday having been on hunger strike since her re-arrest on Wednesday.

There then followed a report on the sinking of the Empress of Ireland and how it happened. This was followed by the report of an alleged theft from a Sanatorium. A Miss Minnie Birkenhead aged 21 was charged with stealing belongings from a Miss Alice Williams. The value of the item amounting to £3-7-0d. Miss Birkenhead was refused bail, the trial to be in about three months.

On a lighter note the paper reported that at the Pavilion that week would be appearing a Living Ready Reckoner called Zarah II who was just 14 years old. along with the top turn the Flying Salories. Also on the show would be John Brown’s canines and Dooley and Thomson a singing, whistling and dancing duo.

Back to more serious matters a tramp, Mr. Thomas Walsh was found loitering with intent to commit a felony in the Avenue at Winnington. He was sent to gaol for two months with hard labour.

There then followed the usual sports reports and results on Bowls, A record entry in the Individual Cheshire Merit. Cricket, Homing, Athletics, Polo Golf and Swimming.

Finally there was a large advertisement for the Altrincham Hippodrome. This week it reported that the Comedy The other man’s business by S. R. Squires would be playing and next week another comedy The Major by Henry Osmond’s No 1 London Company would be performed. Prices ranged from 3d for the Gallery to 2/—per person for a box.

The Guardian on Friday 17th July began with another report on the Irish Crisis and the demonstration at Chester but followed that with a report on the Winsford Pageant and Fete. It said there had been Pretty Scenes and Dances and competitions and a Band Contest. However it had been a financial disappointment probably it said because of the irregular employment in the salt trade, many men had been on short time for some months.

Under Jottings It commented that Ratepayers were still getting over the shock that an extra £3,000 was needed for the new Baths at Northwich.

Under By the Way it gave the news that the Reverend G.S. Tudor-Evans was to leave Lostock Gralam to become the Rector of Oughtrington and that in the Castle Private Bowls Handicap Mr. Fred Jackson, who had been the Dark Horse had collapsed against Mr. Frank Hughes, losing 21-7.

Unusually in reporting on the Northwich parochial Festival it included a picture of the Committee of the Old English Fair before reporting that the Northwich Fete had seen Picturesque scenes in the Vicarage grounds. There had been interesting attractions it said including the Band of the Old 3rd Cheshire’s and Bill Horobin’s Merry Sextette, a clever troupe of entertainers.

The Castle Private Bowls Handicap had reached its finale with Mr. T. Tomlinson beating Mr. H. Wood in the final by 21-8. Meanwhile the Cheshire Merit had been won by Mr. T.B Burgess who had beaten Mr. M. Graham by 21-17. In the league Rudheath had regained the lead over Winnington but had played one game more.

On a more important issue under the heading Destructive Turnip Pest. the paper printed a report on the Diamond-Head Moth and how to deal with it. Finally it stated that arrangements for the Mid Cheshire Show were in hand

The Chronicle on Saturday 18th July began with the usual adverts on page one for the summer sales followed by the Judge at the trial of Mrs. Reeves saying that 3/4 of the cases that came before him were drink related and that this crime was a case in point.(It seems nothing much changes.) It stated the belief that Mrs. Reeves was unlikely to be executed due to her age and mental condition. The paper then announced there was to be a new Vicar at Hartford the Reverend H.H Potts. There was also the continuing story of The Restraining Hand.

Further into the paper there was this report on the sinking of the Empress of Ireland. On May 29th the Canadian Pacific Liner, Empress of Ireland bound for Liverpool collided with the Storstadt, a Norwegian Collier. Of the 1,500 or so on board over 1,000 were lost. Apparently the Storstadt changed course in foggy conditions causing the collision.

There was more then on the loyalist demonstration at Chester where Lord Hugh Cecil spoke to the crowd strongly opposing the supposed use of force to drive out by force of arms our fellow subjects in Ireland Mr. Churchill was denied the chance to speak.

Under Northwich Board of Guardians. and War Chest. it reported that the Board had declared there was £29-19-3d in hand compared to £121 last year. The White House had been purchased for £1,225 and also a cottage in London Road. The Board would take possession on January 1st 1915.

The Master reported that on July 2nd he had taken the children to witness a firework display by the kind invitation of Mr. A Daniels, Secretary of the Hospital Saturday Committee.

There was then the announcement of the marriage of Barnton residents, Mr. William Poole Mills and Miss. Amy Palin, the Reverend C. Weedall officiating. There was also a report of the marriage by the Reverend H. Thomas of Mr. William Henry Rutter, Superintendant of Verdin Park and Miss. M.E Tomlinson. On a sadder note it mentioned the death in Holmes Chapel of Mr. Cumberlidge aged 48.

Then came a report of 30 scholars’ of the Wesleyan Sunday School had been on an eventful trip to Blackpool the previous Wednesday. Owing to them missing a connection they had been stranded at Stockport and did not arrive home until 8-00am on the Thursday morning.

On a tragic note it reported the suicide by poison of Mr. John Beech. He had become depressed after losing his job at Brunner Mond and Company and though being employed at Yarwood’s boat yard he had felt compelled to end his own life by taking poison he had obtained by saying it was for his dog.

Surprisingly there was a letter printed in support of Socialism and Trade Unions and against Capitalism from a Mr. Rigby of Crewe.

Under the heading Urban Council It was reported that Councillor George Venables had died.

Under a heading The Health of the Town. it was stated that in the quarter up to June 30 deaths had been recorded and 28 births, an equal number of each sex. There had been 8 cases of infectious diseases and the explanation as to why there was no TB Clinic in the town was that people could easily get to Crewe by train or motorbus.

There then followed the report of a fatal bathe by a Mr. John Gregory a Brunner Mond and Company employee. Watched by Mr. Thomas Roberts he had suddenly sunk despite being a strong