Only one item featured in this week’s Batley News relating to the parish of St Mary’s. It related to Michael Hodgins, who was serving in the military. As ever, the spelling and punctuation matches that of the newspaper.
Boxing Gloves Wanted
“The nights are very dark and cold, and we have to spend our time in our billet, which is a school. There are a few Batley lads here, and a set of boxing gloves would help to pass many a dull hour away,” writes Pte. Michael Hodgins, No. 4629, No. 4 Company, Croft Terrace Schools, Jarrow-on-Tyne.
A lot of money is raised locally by collections in clubs and other places for cigarettes for soldiers. Pte. Hodgins’ letter causes us to wonder whether the “boys in khaki” would not be better pleased if some of the cash were spent on such things as boxing gloves. At any rate we shall be glad to hear of a set of gloves going to Jarrow-on-Tyne, which is not the most cheerful place in the world to spend one’s winter evenings in.
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