Audlem in December 1914

Early in the month Henry Noel Atkinson's DSO was announced, awarded for 'conspicuous gallantry under fire' it was then still hoped he might be alive and a prisoner.

It was reported that John Bowen of Audlem a naval wireless operator on HMS Minotaur played a vital part in the destruction of the German battleship Emden. In the battle of the Falkland islands Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Leipzig and Nurnberg were all sunk.

Dr Stain sustained a broken collarbone and fractured ribs when jumping his hunter at Holly Farm (home of 'the Baron'). 6 more men joined up making 57 from Audlem serving.

Prees Heath was chosen for a major camp. There was a surge in enlistment after the attack on Scarborough, Whitby and Hartlepool on the 16th. There was great indignation at the death of 137 children and civilians and 592 wounded.

A vast number of Christmas puddings were made for the serving soldiers and posted-Crewe station had to set up a temporary sorting office on the platforms.

Audlem School had a produce sale to raise funds for wounded soldiers and sailors and to buy knitting wool for garments for the soldiers. Over 150 items had already been sent. The first ever air raid occured at Dover.

The annual Children's tea was held as usual, 'doles' were distributed by the Vicar and Churchwardens on St Thomas' day and news of the first old boy of Nantwich and Acton Grammar School to die in the war was received.

The rifle club (see photo in Archive) was allowed to drill in the playground of the Upper Standard Council School (at the Old Grammar School) after school hours. 6 Belgian refugees were accommodated at Manor Farm, Hunsterson.

Mrs Mary Hall wife of James Hall of Kynsal Lodge died age 76.

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