….growing agitation for an increase……….need for a substantial increase of 2/- to 3/- a week ………… existing level 15/- a week.

Miss Coley is relinquishing her position as teacher on February 5^th. The managers have appointed Miss Marshland, of Butlers Marston, in her place.

Banbury Guardian January 1915

We regret to announce the death of Captain Edward Ambrose Holbech, R.N., the second son of the late Ven. Archdeacon Holbech, of Farnborough Hall, which took place at his residence, Lillington, Rodwell, Weymouth, on Monday, the 18^th.

The deceased was well-known in the Banbury neighbourhood many years ago. He served in the Royal Navy for about twenty-five years, but retired in 1891. He resided for several years in the neighbourhood of Stratford-on-Avon, but for the last few years he has resided at Weymouth. He married Miss Gresley, and leaves a son and two daughters. He took much interest in the Royal Hospital at Weymouth, and did much excellent work for the institution, being chairman of the Finance Committee. He was sixty-eight years of age. He had been in failing health for some time, but the end came somewhat unexpectedly.

The funeral took place at Wyke Regis on Wednesday week at two o’clock. The coffin, which was wheeled to the church on a bier, was covered by the Union Jack, and the deceased’s sword would have been placed on it, but by a striking coincidence it had been lent by Captain Holbech to a naval officer now serving at the front. The mourners were:- Mrs Holbech (widow), Mr R.A. Holbech (son), Miss Holbech and Miss D. Holbech (daughters), Admiral Gresley, Mr W.N. Gresley, the Rev. Hugh Holbech, Mr R.H.A. Holbech, Mrs Edwards, Mrs Payne Gallwey, Mrs Parry, Mr and Mrs McGowan, Major H. Cartwright, Nurse Edwards, and Mrs Jackson. Captain Fyler and Commander Dundas also attended the funeral, and there were present in the church the Misses Pennefather, General Atkinson, the Rev. E.A. Trasenster, and Mr A.H. Tucker. The officiating clergy were the Revs. E.J.L.B. Henslowe and H. Hasluck. The coffin, which was of English oak, bore the inscription:-

EDWARD AMBROSE HOLBECH,

Late Captain, R.N.,

Died January 18^th, 1915

Aged 68 years.

There were many beautiful floral tributes, which came from the following:- “Mother,” Joyce, Dick and Daisy; Mary Holbech and Ronald Holbech, Farnborough (from his old home); Queenie, Daisy and Willie; George and Rose McGowan; Lily and Christopher; from an old shipmate; Captain and Mrs Fyler; Commander and Mrs Dundas and Flossie; Mrs Parry; Mr and Mrs Hervey; the Misses Pennefather; Miss Cartwright.

Banbury Guardian January 1915

The Warwickshire School Attendance Committee state that about eighty Belgian children are attending elementary schools in the Committee’s area.

Banbury Guardian January 1915

We regret to have to record the death on Friday of Mrs Puckle, of Pittern Hill, Kineton.

The deceased lady underwent an operation for appendicitis of a very severe type on Thursday the 14^th inst., and her life was despaired of almost form the first. She leaves a husband and one child to mourn her loss. She was the elder daughter of Colonel Stanley Arnold, C.B., of Barton House, and was only thirty-eight years of age, and she was very much respected. She had been until recently a constant follower of the Warwickshire hounds.

Deep sympathy is felt for Mr Puckle, especially as he only returned from France with a fractured leg the day of the operation, not knowing of Mrs Puckle’s illness.

The funeral took place on Tuesday at Barton-on-the-Heath.

Banbury Guardian January 1915

Warmington

Upwards of 30 men are attending the veterinary classes. The attendance at the woodwork class has up to the present been 99 per cent.

Banbury Guardian January 1915

British and German Fortitude

A Banbury gentleman has sent us a letter from a friend serving in the 2^nd Wilts Regiment at the front which describes life in the trenches. He says that in the trench they were occupying they were rapidly being flooded out. Already the front trench was six feet deep in water, the rear trench likewise and they were between the two floods and at any minute the dams might burst and they would be flooded out too. In many places the water rises from the ground and fills their trench to the depth of a foot or so, so that one has to wade through it when walking along the trench. The men off duty contrive to sleep huddled against the damp walls with their feet in the water. In spite, however, of these trying conditions they keep cheerful and rarely seem in the dumps. Their cheery nature, he says, rarely seems to desert them.

The German plight is just as bad and when a shell strikes the enemy’s trench they see the water splash up. He proceeds:- “ The Germans have not got the fortitude of our troops. Two nights ago 200 of them came up to some trenches and wanted to give themselves up, but their own officers drove them back with revolvers and for some strange reason our men did not fire. Can you imagine British troops surrendering because of the hardships they have to endure? I can’t. We hear rumours that if the war is not over in a few weeks many German regiments are going to give themselves up – evidently the enemy are getting very demoralised.

No doubt you hear we talked to them on Christmas and Boxing Day and then they said they wanted to get back home again – and so do we all – but we’ll see the job through first.”

The writer gives and account of the desolation caused to the country by the war. He says:- “ I have seen ruined villages with not a house or a farm left standing; dead cattle dotting the fields everywhere: little mounds with tiny rough crosses on the marking soldiers’ graves; a hundred or more soldiers buried in one common grave. I have seen a woman wring her hands and burst into tears as she passes the remains of her farm – and then go back to a tiny hovel to tend six children, while her husband fights for his country. Truly war is a horrible thing and one must see its awful ravages to realise fully how terrible modern warfare is.” The writer says he is writing in his “dug-out” huddled up on a box, the rain coming in through he roof and through the floor, and shells and bullets whistling above.

Banbury Guardian January 1915

Marriage of Mr T White and Miss M E Reading

The marriage of Mr Tom White, son of the late Mr William Prophet White, of Shotteswell, and Miss Mary Elizabeth Reading, daughter of the late Mr Thomas Blick Reading, and of Mrs Reading, of Contone House, took place on Tuesday week, when there was a large congregation, and previous to the arrival of the bridal party the organist, Mr F Moore, played suitable music. The bride was given away by her brother, Mr T B Reading, and was attended by Miss Eva Reading (sister), and Miss White (neice of the bridegroom). Mr Clement Cotterill of Stoneton, acted as best man. The Rev. J R Brown, the Rector, officiated at the ceremony. The hymns “The Voice that breathed o’er Eden” and “Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost”, were sung, and whilst the register was being signed the “Wedding March” was played, and a merry peal was rung upon the bells. The bride wore a dress of cream cloth, with hat trimmed with cream silk, and she carried a bouquet of lillies of the valley. The bridesmaids wore cream serge costumes. A reception was afterwards held at Contone House. The presents were numerous and handsome.

Banbury Guardian January 1915

January 26^th 1915

Lots of sniping today they have knocked the top row of sand bags to pieces and filled my dinner with dust as I have masked the potatoes. It is the Kaisers birthday tomorrow so we shall be on the lookout for a surprise.

Diary of Private W Tapp, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, November 1914- January 1915

Imperial war Museum Archives