St James the Less' Church

Tatham Soldier and shirkers.

Pte. R. Shawcross, 3rd Loyal North Lancashires, writing from France to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Shawcross, Raby Lodge, Tatham, says: - "How we despise the shirkers now. Let them sleep soundly in their feather beds. Let them answer the call of theatre and cafe. We do not envy them. We prefer the barns and fields of France and the sound of the guns to the orchestra of the music hall. If those at home could see these sights, if they could see our lads who braved the cruel winter in the trenches, and bear their longing for a glimpse of the homeland, perhaps their consciences would be awakened, and they would be aroused from lethargy. I shall never forget our first visit to the firing line. It was on a beautiful Sunday morning that we started off on our great adventure. For some time there seemed no change in the scenery. Apart from the proximity of the guns we might have been traversing the roads and lanes in dear old England. The sun had shed its last rays and darkness was upon us when we received a gentle reminder of our approach. Three bullets whistled overhead in quick succession. We then knew the German sniper was on the alert. We marched along, and soon commenced to wend our way into the trenches. For two hours we followed a maze of winding pathways, bullets whistling over continuously. It was close on midnight when we arrived at the support trenches, where we rested until early morning, many of us reposing in dug-outs. Blinding flares illuminated the sky. To the continuous crack of rifle fire we soon became accustomed. The next morning we moved into the front line. The Germans were evidently awake, for they had commenced to drop 'whizbangs' over. A 'whizbang' cannot be heard until it bursts, and is a form of explosive not popular among our men. We were side by side with a regiment that had suffered terribly during the last nine months - the mere remnant of a battalion, and heroes to a man. During the whole time we were in the trenches I did not hear one of these men grumbling. They were fed up, it is true, but who could be anything else after the casualties they had suffered? Still, they were cheerful, doing their duty willingly. I could not wish to see a grander sight than these lads, who for twelve weary months have been risking life and limb. No one can say experience has made these men callous."

(Lancaster Guardian, 11 September 1915)
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ARMY ABSENTEES. - On Saturday, two Tatham farmers, Richard M. Hodgson (33), Fleet Great Farm, and John Towler (20), Fisherwood Farm, were brought before W. S. Peel and T. Fawcett Warden, Esqrs., for failing to report themselves for military service. Hodgson was arrested at Rantree Fold Farm, and Towler at Foss Bank by P.C. Hodgson on Friday. Both defendants gave as reasons for not reporting themselves that they objected to both combatant and non-combatant service. They were each fined 40s., and handed over to the military authority.
(Lancaster Guardian, 17 June 1916)
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Pte. Frank Dixon, East Lancs., youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Dixon, Bridge Inn, Tatham, has been awarded the D.C.M. (which has been sent to his wife at Tatham), for his devotion to duty on June 28th. He was with a machine gun when all his pals were knocked out except the sergeant. They stuck to their gun for some time, but being unable to hold the position, were ordered to retreat. The sergeant was killed, and Pte. Dixon carried the gun and all his equipment for over a mile through a hail of fire, although wounded in the head by a shell.