In October, a local man saw action against merchant shipping. (We have earlier quoted his mother’s experience of Paris at the outbreak of the war.)
Chorley Guardian and Leyland Hundred Advertiser 7 November 1914
ADLINGTON MAN’S EXPERIENCES
Mr Leonard F.S. Field, the younger son of Mrs Walker, “Nightingales”, Adlington [sic should be Heath Charnock] has this week reached Adlington following some exciting experiences. His ship the “Cervantes” owned by Messrs Lamport and Holt of Liverpool, on which he was serving as second officer, was captured in the Atlantic on October 8th, by the German cruiser “Karlsruhe”. An armed party boarded and inspected her, and gave her captain, who was the last to leave, half an hour to prepare. Mr Field had to launch the lifeboats and collect his properties. They were taken in charge by the…………and saw the “Cervantes” sunk by a charge of dynamite fore and aft. On reaching Tenerife they were taken over by the British Consul and conveyed eight days later by the “La…….. to Liverpool, where they landed on the 3rd of November. She had to cater for 300 instead of the 100 she expected, and as a result, good things were scarce. Mr Field slept on a cabin floor, and was fed on rice for one day, and had nothing on the last.
Chorley Guardian and Leyland Hundred Advertiser 17 October 1914
ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE – ADLINGTON DIVISION PROCEED TO THE FRONT
The following members of the Adlington Division of the St John Ambulance Brigade left Haslar Hospital on Tuesday last for the front. The men are all reported as being medically fit. R P. Balance from Haslar Hospital, Portsmouth; Sergt. R.R. Winnard, in charge; Corpl. J. Brindle, Pte. L. Wooten (hon. secretary); Pte. J. Critchley, Pte. N. Fairclough, Pte. D. Reeves, Pte. T. Makinson, Pte. H. Hill, Pte. J. Monk, Pte. J. Seddon, Pte. A. Georgeson, Pte. J. Reynolds, Pte. H. English, Pte. N. Cooper, Pte. M. Cooper, Pte. H. Shufflebottom, Pte. J. Squires, Pte. H. Byers, Pte. J. Williams, Pte. J. Parker, Pte. T. Dennison (Shipley, York.), Pte. J. Cowgill (Shipley, York.), Corpl. Bell (Newcastle), Corpl. Barron (Newcastle), and Pte. N. Grey (Newcastle).
Chorley Guardian and Leyland Hundred Advertiser 17 October 1914
ADLINGTON ST JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION
On Thursday morning last a further batch of nine members left for Chatham, making a total of 45 who have gone for active service. Some of these are at present in France. One or two should have gone to Antwerp to join the naval brigade, but were prevented from doing so by a breakdown in the ship. The admirable service rendered by this body reflects very high credit on the Association and their Superintendent, Dr W.C. Rigby.
Chorley Guardian and Leyland Hundred Advertiser 24 October 1914
ADLINGTON AMBULANCE MEN
There are now 45 members of the Adlington Division of the St John Ambulance Brigade away doing work in connection with the war. Some of the members are at Dover, and others are serving at Queen Ferry Hospital, Edinburgh; Haslar Hospital, Gosport; and some have been drafted into France. One member, Charles Lamb, was in the firing line at Antwerp, and the week’s leave which has been granted to him finishes today (Saturday). He will go to Chatham. H. Brindle and F. Mayo have joined HMS Cornwallis, a formidable battleship. Dr W.C. Rigby, the hon. surgeon, is prepared to take any ambulance man who has a first-aid certificate, as a reservist for the Naval Sick Berth.
Chorley Guardian and Leyland Hundred Advertiser 17 October 1914
ADLINGTON – DISTRESS FUND CONCERT
An excellent concert was given on Wednesday evening at Adlington on behalf of the Adlington War Distress Fund, by the Adlington String Band. There was a good attendance, and the chair was occupied by Mr R. R. Roberts, J.P. All the artistes acquitted themselves with distinct credit, and the programme was as follows: Selection, Band; song ‘Trusty as steel’, Mr G. Walmsley; song ‘Angus McDonald’, Miss Brownley; humorous selection, Teddy Whittle; duet ‘Battle eve’, Messrs Byers and Walmsley; song ‘When you hear the bugle calling’, Miss Ratcliffe; song ‘The trumpeter’, Mr A. Byers; selection, Band; song ‘Goodbye’, Miss Brownley; song ‘Veteran’s song’, Mr G. Walmsley; humorous selection, Teddy Whittle; quartette ‘A soldier’s farewell’, Party; violin solo Mr E. Wass; song ‘King’s Own’, Mr A. Byers; song ‘Hymns of the old church choir’, Miss Ratcliffe; selection ‘National airs’, Band.
Mr Wass, mentioned above, was styled self-employed professor of music, living at 56 Market Street, in the 1911 census. His son, Lance Corporal Matthew Ellis Wass MM, died of wounds in France, 9 June 1918.