Yesterday arrived to sad intelligence that Pte. Frank Spencer, East Lancs, died in France on September 13th. his parents were informed a week or so ago that he lay dangerously ill - gassed - in hospital at Rouen. Pte. Spencer was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Spencer of Goodshaw Lane (and formerly Stoneholme Terrace). He was a very popular young fellow, and a member of St. John's choir. This, by-the-way, marks the fourth loss to the choir as a result of the war. The deepest sympathy goes out to all the bereaved families.

Another local slipper operative has fallen in action in the person of Pte Fred Spencer, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Nelson spencer, of 11 Albert-street, Hareholme. No official notice of his death had been received of his death up to yesterday, but the information was conveyed in a letter from a lieutenant of the King's Liverpool Regiment to which Pte. Spencer belonged. The officer says Pte. Spencer was killed in action on September 27th. "He was a very fine soldier" proceeds the lieutenant, "and we feel his loss very much both in the platoon and the company." The young soldier was only 21 years of age. Prior to joining up he was employed in the finishing department at Messrs Hardman and Company's slipper factory, Union Works, Waterfoot, He was a scholar at Cloughfold Weslyan Sunday School. He joined the colours in July 1916, and was drafted out to France the following October.

Former Rawtenstall cricket followers, as well as many other friends, will regret to hear of the death from wound, of Private James Stansfield.

The news, that he had died from wounds has been conveyed in a telegram, and also in a letter from the sister-in-charge of the 37th Casualty Clearing Station to which Pte. Stansfield was removed after being wounded. In the course of her letter the sister says that he was taken there on Saturday night of the 22nd inst. He was very badly wounded in the head and quite unconscious. Though they did their best he never regained consciousness and passed quietly away at 9-45 on Sunday morning.

Private Stansfield was 31 years of age and was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. William Stansfield, of Prospect Hill, Rawtenstall. He joined the forces on the 16th March of the present year when he became attached to the East Lancashire Regiment. On the 31st of May he was sent to France, and had only been there about thirteen weeks when he was fatally wounded.

Previous to enlisting he was employed by Messrs. Hoyle, Hoyle and Co., Ilex Slipper Works, Rawtenstall, as a foreman in the console department and had been connected with the Unitarian Church, Rawtenstall. Two other brothers are serving with the forces.

Pte. Stansfield, in pre-war days, was a well-known playing member of the Rawtenstall first eleven cricket team, and was a very useful amateur bowler. His death will be much regretted.

Late Pte Fred Stott
Another Good Haslingden Family Record
A memorial service was held at Trinity Baptist Church, Haslingden, on Sunday for Pte Fred Stott who was killed in action in Palestine on December 4 1917. Twenty-three years of age, he was married and lived at Meadow Brook Farm, Baxenden, when he joined up in September 1916. He sailed for Salonica on Boxing Day 1916. Two of his brothers are with the colours, another is discharged and his step-father is at the front.

Information has been received of the death in India of Pte. W. Stott, of Holmes Terrace, Reedsholme, a well-known resident of that locality.
Pte. Stott, who was 25 years of age in June last, was formerly employed as a carter by Mr. Cockerill T. Schofield, of Crawshawbooth. Soon after the outbreak of the war he enlisted in the Seaforth Highlanders, and after a period of training went out with the expeditionary Force to Mesopotamia, and also served in India. Unfortunately, he has fallen a victim to the climate and was stricken with sunstroke and paralysis. He was removed to the Victoria Hospital, Bombay, and died there on July 24th.
Pte. Stott was a young man of good physique, and in his Highlander uniform looked every inch a soldier.
Official intimation of his death was received last weekend.
A memorial service is to be held in Sunnyside Baptist Chapel tomorrow.

Reported only wounded

No official information of his having been killed.
We reported last week the receipt by Mrs. Stringer, of Gilbert-street, Hareholme, of a letter from a soldier in the South Wales Borders, intimating that her husband, Private Stringer, had been killed in action.

The writer stated tha he was a pal of Pte. Stringer and that on the night of May 18th whilst they were out working together, they were suddenly fired upon and and Private Stringer was shot through the back and killed.

The message was convincing enough, but last wekk-end Mrs. Stringer received an official form from the S.W.B. Record Office at Shrewsbury, which creates considerable uncertainty as to her husband's fate. It merely states that Pte Stringer was wounded in action on May 19th.

In the meantime, and following the receipt of the letter from the soldier pal of her husband's, Mrs Stringer had written to the Record Office for further details. She has in reply received another communcation which states that "no official information has been received in this office of your husband being killed. The only information received is that he has been wounded. The name of the hospital to which he had been taken not yet stated.

These oficial messages have naturally led Mrs. Stringer and other members of the family to hope that the soldier who wrote the first letter was mistaken as to Private Stringer's actual fate. It is quite likely that after having seen Private Stringer shot, his comrade had to move away, and therfore would not know whether he was mortally wounded or otherwisw. Further news is being awaited by Private Stringer's wife and parents, and his many local friends.

Late Hareholme Soldier

Memorial Service at Newchurch

A memorial service was held on Sunday evening in Bethesda United Methodist Church, Newchurch, to the memory of the late Private T. Stringer, formerly of Gilbert-street, Hareholme, and whose death in action has previously been reported. The service was conducted by the Rev. J. D. Crosland, who took as the text of his sermon the words:- "And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these sayings the people were astonished at His doctrines. For he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. The choir, under the leadership of Mr. Ernest Wilson rendered the anthem "Peace Perfect Peace" (Jude), and also sang "Crossing the Bar" (Barnby). The service throughout was most impressive.