Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 02 November 1940

No Cricket In Iceland

But Hemingfield Lad Enjoys Football

Iceland being so much nearer the Pole than Yorkshire, it is difficult to believe that our old friend Santa Claus gives the land of “deep depression” a miss. Literally that may not be so, but the fact remains that the people of Iceland do not use Christmas cards.

The fact is revealed in a letter sent home by Private Douglas Haig Rodgers (22), son of Mr and Mrs. Arthur Rodgers, of 52 Cemetery Road. Hemingfield. He ‘Pte. D. H. Rodgers. Says= Last week the officers camel (round to see how many Christmas cards we should require so that they could send the order to England.” That also was taken as an indication that the boys will not get home this year. So the Christmas cards sent from Iceland will go in the first place from England. In a newsy letter to Miss C. Mountford, his former teacher at Hemingfield village school, who finds great pleasure in keeping in touch with her “old boys,” Private Rodgers says, “I feel it would interest you to have some account of the life and conditions here. As compared with the home country it is very peaceful and quiet, except for the noise made by, the army of vehicles which are constantly passing to and fro on the highway. I have left my old place and gone to Reykjavik (capital of Iceland). We visit the houses of very nice people, have supper with them and listen to the radio. You can tell how kind they are to us when I tell you that my photograph and that of my pal are on the sideboard. The weather this month has been similar !to September in England.”

As a former playing member of Mitchell Main Cricket Club, Private Rodgers invariably asks for the latest details of how the game is going on in England, and is delighted to have his South Yorkshire Times regularly. We have had no cricket here, and I’ am afraid I shall have forgotten how Ito play, but we get plenty of football and have beaten the Canadians.”

He mentions that he has had the luck in Iceland to meet Reg. Lawson, of Barnsley Road, Wombwell. The two joined up together and have met previously at York and other centres in England.

Private Rodgers refers to the appointment of the Rev. R. G. Riekells as curate in charge of St. George’s, Jump, and expresses the hope that the church will prosper under his ministry.

He says, “We have a church service every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening. We have some grand services, and the Padre. Captain Wrangham Hardy, has given me a nice Testament.” He mentions that fishing is the chief sport in Iceland, but he has not yet learned to dangle a rod successfully.

Private Rodgers was previously employed at Mitchell Main by-product works. He joined up in July last, year and was probably the first boy to go out of Hemingfield for the Army. He received his equipment for’ the Norway expedition, but the withdrawal took place before his party could sail. He has now been in Iceland six months.