Ashton-on-Ribble WW1

BEREAVED FATHER AS RECRUITING OFFICER - Private Albert Topping, of the 3rd Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, stationed at Felixstowe, whose wife and child went down with the Lusitania, and who is at present at his home on furlough at Ashton-on-Ribble, near Preston, has hit upon an interesting plan of avenging himself upon the Germans. He has applied to the War Office for leave to become a recruiting sergeant. He has been very busy during the week-end, and on Saturday persuaded ten young men to accompany him to the recruiting depot. On Monday he secured a score more recruits.

(Lancaster Guardian, 15 May 1915)