Rose Gertrude Higgins

Amongst material currently being sorted were four school books which belonged to Rose Gertrude Higgins.  Rose was the daughter of William and Emma Higgins and the family lived at 59 Duck Street, Rushden.

Rose was born on the 17th June, 1905, and, for some reason, on all official records she is shown as Rose Gertrude Newton.  She attended Alfred Street School and was admitted on 3 September 1909 to the infants school and 7 September 1914 to the mixed school as Rose Higgins.  The exercise book contains short stories written by Rose, and one is in the form of a letter to her uncle.  It is written from 59 Duke Street, Rushden and dated 8-12-15, as follows: Dear Uncle, I send this letter hoping that you are getting on nicely.  I hope your wound is getting better.  I am sending a parcel on and I hope that you will receive it.  I should be pleased if you could get home for a few days at Christmas.  I have heard from Aunt Ethel today, and she said the baby is getting on, but she wishes that you were at home.  My sister is sending some chocolate in with my parcel and mother made a nice cake.  Mother and father wish to be remembered to you and we wish that the war was over.  With love from Your Cousin, Rose.

Sadly, at the beginning of 1916, Rose became ill.  She came home from school complaining of pains in her head, and the next morning, Wednesday, a doctor was called.  He found that symptoms of inflammation of the brain had developed.  Rose gradually got weaker and passed away at 11.40am on the Sunday.   The obituary in the local newspaper described her as a bright, intelligent girl.

Rose had attended the Sunday School at the Independent Wesleyan Church and her funeral on the 3 February was held there, with Rev. C. J. Keeler conducting the service and at the graveside in Rushden Cemetery.