Day Sixty Seven on the Somme

5th September 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

The adjutant of 1st Bedfords tells me that things are now quiet around Falfemont Farm which was finally captured in the early hours of this morning. A great triumph. Tersely he told me: “We buried all our dead”. These amounted to 17 officers and men on 3rd September and 45 yesterday. Local fatalities came from Biggleswade, Bletsoe, Clifton, Houghton Regis, Luton, Maulden, Toddington, Woburn Sands and Wootton.

Lieutenant Addison Howard

The name most recognised will be that of Lieutenant Addison James Howard, of Kempston Grange, who only joined the battalion a few days ago. He was just 23. I was told that his cousin, Second Lieutenant Douglas Howard, who was alongside him, reported that he was killed instantaneously by one of our own shells yesterday morning(1). Second Lieutenant Douglas Howard himself was wounded a few hours later by a bullet to the chest and two more in a shoulder and is now in hospital at Abbeville.

Second Lieutenant Douglas Howard

Lieutenant Addison Howard was born in April 1893 at Kempston Grange. He was educated at Bedford Grammar School, 1901-1911, where he was in the Officer's Training Corps. Subsequently he went to King's College, Cambridge and there took a Second Class Honours degree in the Mechanical Science Tripos in 1914. Immediately before the close of the term at Cambridge he was seized with illness and had to undergo a serious operation. During his convalescence he was in charge of munition work in his father's works and showed great skill as a mechanician and engineer. He was named after his two grandfathers Mr James Howard MP and Colonel Addison Potter CB and we can only lament that a career which was commenced under such distinguished auspices has been abruptly terminated. His colonel told me: "He was temporarily commanding a company. No one could have handled the men better during an attack the Battalion made on September 3rd, over 1,000 yards under machine gun and shell fire. He had them well together, consolidated, pushed out patrols, took a German prisoner and sent in a series of model reports. He was a first-rate officer and is a very great loss to the Battalion. I need hardly say he was very popular among all ranks".

Second Lieutenant Douglas Howard of the 3rd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, is the only son of Mr and Mrs John Howard Howard of Clapham Park. He was given his commission in October 1915 after leaving Harrow in the previous July. He was a member of the Harrow School OTC for about four years. Mr Douglas Howard did all his training at Landguard Camp, Felixstowe and went to the Front about a fortnight before he was wounded.

Today more attacks have been launched at Devil’s Wood under covering fire from field artillery at fairly close quarters. We understand that two companies have managed to dig-in on the eastern edge.

This afternoon 5th Division, though not 1st Bedfords, have launched an attack on Leuze Wood (generally known as Lousy Wood by Tommy Atkins) and the high ground south and east of Ginchy, particularly around the Ginchy Telegraph, on the highest point of the ridge. There seem to be no Germans in the wood so this attack may do well.

Source: X550/2/5; Bedfordshire Times

(1) He is buried in Guillemont Road Cemetery.

Soldiers Assault a Constable

Thursday 25th May 1916: Two soldiers concluded Empire Day celebrations by assaulting a policeman in Luton last night. They were William Olney, 2nd/5th Beds and Eli Mynott of the same regiment and these two privates were this morning charged at a special Borough Police-court, Olney with drunken and disorderly conduct, assault on police and wilful damage  and Mynott, who was not drunk  with also striking the constable and tripping him up with his stick. They pleaded guilty.

PC Odell (who has only just returned to duty after a bad attack of rheumatism and who looked very sick and bruised) said he encountered the two prisoners near the Old English Gentleman in Hitchin-road, about 9.45 pm and asked them to produce their passes. Olney at once became abusive and struck him on the mouth and chest and he had the greatest difficulty in handcuffing him. Nor was this accomplished before Olney had torn his tunic and the top off his helmet. Olney was very drunk but Mynott was not drunk. The latter, however, said: “Let’s make a fight of it” and struck witness several times over the head with his stick and also tripped him up more than once by catching him round the leg with the stick. A woman named Mrs Leach blew his whistle. There was a big crowd, some hundreds, he should think.

Mrs Leach of 47 Hitchin-road said she saw the two soldiers on the top of the constable and succeeded in getting hold of the policeman’s whistle and blowing it for assistance, being kicked on the leg in the struggle.

Sergeant Janes said he was called to the spot by telephone and arrested Mynott. Olney was got to the station with assistance. He was very drunk and using obscene language all the time. It was a very large and hostile crowd.

Chief Constable Teale said whilst out driving he saw the two men in Gipsy-lane and thought they looked like mischief then. They both appeared the worst for drink, he estimated the damage to the constable’s uniform and helmet at 10 shillings. Olney had previously been before the court for fighting before joining the Army. In fact he had been charged with unlawfully wounding a man on one occasion, but the charge was afterwards reduced to one of assault. He had also been bound over to keep the peace.

The Chairman (Mr H Cumberland) said they (M A B Attwood JP was also present) were sorry to see Olney again before the Court. Drink was evidently his downfall and it was bad for him. He had much better give it up. He would never efficiently defend his country if he continued to take it. For the drunkenness he would be fined 15 shillings or ten days’ imprisonment, for the assault on the constable £2 or 21 days and for the damage 15 shillings or ten days. The two ten days would run concurrently, so that he would have to go to prison for 31 days actually, and the hoped it would be a warning to him, although the previous convictions did not appear to have been so.

The Chief Constable, I should like to publicly thank Mrs Leach for the part she took in this little drama and would respectfully ask your Worship to hand her this 5 shillings. I think her conduct was most exemplary where so many cowardly men were standing by.

The Chairman: the justices appreciate very much what you did, Mrs Leach, and hope you example will be an incentive to others in similar circumstances.

Joseph Tearle said he saw Mynott strike the constable several times with a stick and did what he could to assist the constable and Sergeant Janes deposed to seeing the man trip the constable up with it.

The Chairman said Mynott was even worse than Olney, as it appeared he was not drunk at the time he assaulted the constable. He did not known whether he recognised the seriousness of his offence, but he would be fined £2 including costs or 21 days’ imprisonment. He should like to say they also appreciated the efforts the last witness had put forth to assist the police. These two witnesses had set and excellent example and had apparently been the only two to help the assaulted policeman in the execution of his duty, which was a disgrace to the rest of the crowd.

The Chief Constable said he should like to associate himself with the remarks of the Chairman.

Source: Luton News 25th May 1916

A Missing Son and a Crippled Daughter

Tuesday 23rd May 1916: The ordeal of the 8th Bedfords on 19th April still has repercussions. Dame Rumour has been bust with the name of Private J Marlow of 30 Spring Place, Luton and in order to remove the impression that he has been killed in action (whereas he has only been reported as missing) and in the hope that possibly his photo may be recognised and his mother’s anxiety appeased we reproduce it above.

This young Luton soldier – he is only eighteen years of age – commenced work at the early age of nine as an errand boy in the service of straw hat manufacturers H Rosson and Company of 90-92 Collingdon Street afterwards passing into the factory. He heard the call to arms and enlisted in the 8th Bedfords. He was trained at Shoreham and Blackdown and went to France last August. He was at the Battle of Loos and was gassed at Christmas but he otherwise escaped injury. His mother heard twice a week from him and with great punctuality sent him a weekly parcel until recently, when she decided to send a bigger parcel once a fortnight. His birthday was on May 9th and she had prepared a special parcel for that occasion when she received news that he was missing so the good things are awaiting news of his whereabouts.

The Luton News man was particularly interested in his little crippled sister. Miss Minnie is an

intelligent child of twelve years and cleverly manufactures penny gollywogs which she sells and takes the proceeds to Mr H W Covington in Cheapside who promptly smokes to the soldiers for the money. Miss Minnie has no objection to her philanthropic efforts ending in smoke, so long as her brother’s pals get a little enjoyment out of the fuminations and her mother showed our representative receipt from Mr Covington to little Miss Minnie’s order for 12s. 9d. for which he had forwarded 1,250 Woodbines, 3 packets of Player’s and a dozen boxes of matches to the Officer Commanding the 8th Beds, her brother’s regiment. She had several receipts for similar amounts, which spoke eloquently of Miss Minnie’s industry and goodness of heart.

Second Lieutenant Harry C Wealen wrote Mrs Marlow as follows: “Dear Madam: I expect by this time you have heard the news that your son is missing and I wish to convey my deep regret. As his whereabouts is uncertain it may be that he has been taken prisoner and I can only hope that in a few days’ time we may hear some definite news of him. Needless to say I am deeply grieved at losing the services of such a good soldier, but I can only add that I am immensely proud of those gallant few who held the trench on April 19th against such fearful odds”.

Company Sergeant Major W J Ward of the 8th Beds who is “out there” wrote: “To Miss Marlow. Just a line in answer to yours of the 9th inst re your brother No. 19944 Private J Marlow. I am sorry to tell you that I do not know much about what happened to D Company on 19th April, as I was transferred to B Company some time ago, but I was in the line the same day and we had a very bad time, but when we got out of the line I made enquiries in D Company about what had become of my old Platoon, and I was only too sorry to hear that your brother was missing. I have not heard any more of him since, but if I should I will let you know at once as he was one of the best boys I had in my platoon during the time I was platoon sergeant. He was always willing and always steady and brave. Although so young he was a good boy and no one is more sorry than I at your loss and you take my deepest feelings with you at losing such a fine and ever-so-brave a brother and I must sympathise with you and close my small note. Should I hear any more I will immediately let you know”.

We trust Mrs Marlow may soon hear some good news of her boy(1)

Source: Luton News 19th May 1916

(1) He was killed in action on 19th April and has no known grave.

Killed Examining Barbed Wire

Reginald Cumberland Green [X550/1/82]

Friday 19th May 1916: We have heard today of the death of Lieutenant Reginald Cumberland Green, youngest son of Luton brewer J W Green. From all classes in the town the deepest sympathy has been aroused by the sad event and, while the sorrow and pain of the loss can only be known and experienced by those who have lost their loved one, the sympathy expressed on all hands cannot fail to be a solace and to some small extent an alleviation of the poignancy of the grief occasioned by the blow.

The sympathy of the townspeople has not stood alone, for from the Colonel and Company Commander of the late lieutenant’s battalion sympathetic and sterling appreciations were received. The Colonel(1) writes: “It grieves me most intensely to have to write and confirm the bad news which has doubtless been communicated to you by the War Office regarding your son Rex. He took his risks with the best and was always so cheery and a general favourite; besides, he was doing uncommonly well as a soldier. I shall miss personally a really useful and hard-working officer and a personal friend and all the officers a very popular comrade and friend. Allow me to send you my sincerest condolences from myself and from all the officers of the battalion. He died as a gallant Englishman, doing his duty. When he was shot he was examining a wire entanglement and was hit in the thigh. One would think, and I hoped when I heard of it, that it was a slight enough wound, but apparently some blood vessel was cut and he had bled most copiously, dying just as they got him to the field ambulance, within two hours of being wounded. I saw him at 4 am on his way down. He seemed to be in a certain amount of pain but we hoped for the best and wished him luck and tried to cheer him up. You will think I am making a number of matter of fact statements, but my heart is very sore at losing him from our family and in having to write and give you all this information. Please accept my most sincere condolences”.

The letter from Lieutenant Green’s Company commander was as follows: “He was shot through the right thigh about 2.30 this (Thursday) morning while out in front of our trenches looking at the wire and died almost as soon as he reached the field ambulance. I went to him directly I heard that he was hit. He had been bandaged by our stretcher bearers and they had for the time being stopped the bleeding. Rex said: “I’m all right but I feel awful”. I don’t think he was in much pain, but he felt weak from loss of blood. I cannot speak too highly of his good qualities as an officer. He was my right hand in the company – brave, gentle and ready for everything. He was also a universal favourite with the men. We loved him and our hearts go out to his mother and you in your terrible loss. We do not realise it yet and it seems as if Rex might come in now, keeping us all cheery by some remark. He will be buried tomorrow along with the other brave fellows whom we have lost here in the Military Cemetery(2)”.

The loyalty and self-sacrifice of the family of Mr and Mrs J W Green has, since the outbreak of war, found full scope and expression in ready active service and also in attending those who have suffered in the stern experiences of the battle zone. Major Sidney and Major Harold Green have for many years taken a great interest in military matters and displayed much energy in furthering the successful development of the Volunteer and Territorial movements. Mrs Green is the Commandant of the VAD Hospital at Wardown(3), a work in which she is actively assisted by her daughters, while her son in law Lieutenant Tabor is also on war service and some months ago was wounded in France(4). Major Sidney Green is at the moment on active service with the Bedfordshire Yeomanry having been in France for some months past with the Regiment.

The late Lieutenant Green, previous to the outbreak of war, had had no military experience and in deed he had displayed no bent for taking a pronounced part in Army work. The call of the country, however, came to him as it has come to so many and he was not slow to respond. On the declaration of hostilities he at once took steps to obtain a commission, joining the 3rd Bedfords at Landguard near Felixstowe in which Regiment his brother Harold was serving. Here, under Lord Ampthill’s command, he remained in training until drafted out to France in October of last year. In December he joined up with the 1st Battalion of the Regiment at the Front. For some weeks past the late lieutenant had been in temporary command of a company, and although his temporary captaincy had not been gazetted there is little doubt that, had his life been spared, his promotion would have quickly followed.

Lieutenant Reginald Green, who had attained the age of 31, was a young man of great charm of manner, and was a favourite of all with whom he came in contact. Educated at Bedford Grammar School, he proceeded in due course to Exeter College, Oxford, where he took his BA degree. He then became a law student in the chambers of Mr George Elliott, KC (a very old friend of his father’s) in the Temple. About four years ago he was called to the Bar. It was not, however, his settled intention to practise as a barrister, although on one occasion at Luton County Court, he appeared in wig and gown before His Honour Judge Wheeler. When the war broke out he was looking forward to an active commercial career, being just about to enter the business of Messrs J W Green Limited.

Major Harold Green, who has seen strenuous service with the Bedfordshires, was filling the important position of Camp Commandant at the time he was invalided home with pneumonia. He is now practically well again and is due to return to duty early next month. His presence at home during their heavy trial has been a great comfort to the bereaved parents.

Source: X550/2/5; Luton News 25th May 1916

(1) Lieutenant-Colonel C C Onslow

(2) He is now in Faubourg d’Amiens Cemetery, Arras

(3) The Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital was at the building which is now Wardown Park Museum

(4) Like his brother-in-law he was in the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, later transferring to the 7th Battalion. 

Supreme Sacrifice

Wednesday 3rd May 1916: The supreme sacrifice was never more poignantly instanced than in the death of a Luton soldier, Private Frederick Thomas Sharp, aged 29, of 21 Essex Street and of the 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, which occurred in their ordeal on 19th April. By his death a widow and six young children are left without their breadwinner.

Mrs Sharp last week received a letter from Sergeant Croxford saying it was his painful duty to tell the news of the death in action of Private Sharp. He expressed deep sympathy with the widow and spoke of the esteem in which the deceased had been held by his comrades. He added that they would all miss him.

Since then Private A Burgess, whose home is in Albert Road has written to friends saying that he was with the deceased when he died and that they had buried him as decently as possible in the circumstances(1).

Private Sharp joined the colours a year last October from Luton. He formerly worked at the Diamond Foundry. He was well known in athletic circles and was a harrier. Afterwards he trained his brother, Horace, also a well-known runner, now serving with the Engineers in France. Another brother is with the forces in Egypt.

Source: Luton News 19th May 1916

(1) He now lies in Essex Farm Cemetery near Ypres.

8th Bedfords Suffer in a German Attack

20th April 1916: The toll of war has been particularly heavy latterly on the 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.  They were manning front line trenches on the banks of the Ijser Canal near Ypres when the Germans began to bombard their position. After two hours of this the enemy attacked in force and gained a foothold in the Battalion’s trenches. Most of the position is still held and has been reinforced. Three officers – Captain Quilter, Second Lieutenant Cartwright and Second Lieutenant McMichael are reported killed, three more – Second Lieutenant Vipond, Second Lieutenant Player and Second Lieutenant Charles wounded and Second Lieutenant Squier is missing, presumed killed. 32 other ranks were killed, 97 are reported as missing believed killed and 65 are wounded(1). As the 8th Battalion has now been relieved it is hoped that a counterattack by another battalion will be successful in regaining the lost trenches(2).

We have heard details of the death of one of the men. Private Charles Ellingham from 25 Spring Place, Luton, was the youngest of six sons and his chum, Private J Bransome told us that the dug-out in which Private Ellingham was sheltering received a direct hit and was destroyed during the bombardment(3). In civilian life he was employed by sugar boilers Custance and Sons in Chapel Street.

Sources: X550/9/1; Luton News 11th May 1916

(1) In fact a considerable number of the 97 missing seem to have bene taken prisoner.

(2) 1st King’s Shropshire Light Infantry drove the Germans out of the Bedfords’ former trenches on 21st April.

(3) His body was never found and may still lie in the wrecked dug-out.

Killed in a Cellar

Wednesday 15th March 1916: Last night Corporal Lewis Hill, 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, one of three soldier sons of Mrs Hill of 12 New Town-street, Luton and formerly of 17 Cobden-street has been killed in France, fragments of a shell entering a cellar in which he and other men were taking shelter and killing two while the others escaped unhurt(1). Corporal Hill, who was 24 years of age, joined the Bedfords four years ago and was with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa when war was declared. He had been in France since October 1914.

Private H Bacchus(2) broke the bad news to Mrs Hill: “We were in defence billets and were shelled out. One shell burst into the place where we were lying and killed poor Lewis straight out. He died very peacefully and never spoke. We buried him respectfully this afternoon in a little cemetery just behind the firing line”(3).

The chaplain of 30th Division has sent a photograph of the cemetery to the grieving mother explaining: “When the war is over the cemetery will become the property of the British Government, who will arrange for its preservation and erect a permanent memorial over those buried in it”(4).

Source: Luton News 30th March 1916

(1) The war diary of the Battalion says one man was wounded in addition to the two killed – the other being Sergeant Walter Smith of Sandon [Hertfordshire]. They are buried beside one another.

(2) Himself killed on 29th June 1916.

(3) Cérisy-Gailly Military Cemetery.

(4) The Graves Registration Commission, which became the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, was established by Sir Fabian Ware (1869-1949), later a Major-General, whilst commanding a Red Cross mobile ambulance unit  in 1915, becoming the Imperial War Graves Commission in 1917.

Dunstable Hero Killed

Tuesday 22nd February 1916: Private Frederick Horace Barton, 20, the only surviving child of Mr and Mrs F C Barton of 12 Ashton-street, Dunstable, has died of wounds sustained while serving with the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.

Private Barton was a native of Luton and was an old Surrey-street school boy, his parents residing at that time in New Town-street. On September 7th 1914 he enlisted in the 7th (Service) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment and went out to France with the battalion in July 1915. In September he was wounded in the head and was brought to a military hospital at Sheffield. On October 19th he came home and six days later was married. Later he had to report at Colchester and on December 19th last he was sent out with a draft to the 6th Bedfords.

His parents received a letter dated February 20th from the Sister of the 19th Casualty Clearing Station who wrote to Mrs Barton that her son was dangerously wounded in the chest and the arm on the 19th and that the doctors were doing everything everything that could possibly be done for him but thought there was not very much hope. By the same post there also came a letter from one of the doctors to say that Private Barton died on 20th and was buried the following afternoon, all military respect being shown, and an officer and party of comrades attending. The grave is a single one with a cross at the head and foot and it will be surrounded by a box hedging.

Lieutenant Connell, an officer of the deceased’s company, who is home on leave called on Mr and Mrs Barton and said how sorry they all were to lose deceased as he was well liked by officers and men and was always very full of life.

Source: Luton News 2nd March 1916

(1) Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No. 1

Captain Simeons Killed in Flanders

Captain Simeons

Friday 18th February 1916: Captain Edward E Simeons, 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, and formerly 5th Battalion has died of wounds sustained while serving on the Western Front. Captain Simeons was second son of Mr and Mrs Charles Simeons of “Dudley”, Blythe-road, Bromley and nephew of Mr and Mrs T A Cawley of “Lea Dale”, New Bedford-road, Luton with whom he resided since 1910. He died in Flanders yesterday as a result of shell wounds received in action on the previous day(1).

He was a subaltern(2) in the 5th Bedfordshire Regiment (Territorials) before the wear and on the outbreak of war joined the 8th (Service) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment as a Second Lieutenant, being afterwards promoted Lieutenant.

After having been in training at Brighton and Aldershot, he left for France last August, and previous to the battle of Loos was promoted to Captain. He was recommended for the DSO(3) and his Colonel writes: “He was a splendid Company Commander; keen, bold and self-reliant”.

Captain Simeons was in his 23rd year, and intended to settle down in Luton, being associated with the British Gelatine Works Limited. Two of his brothers are in the Honorable Artillery Company(4) and the youngest of them, after having been in action at the Persian Gulf, is now at Cardiff recovering from enteric fever.

Sources: Bedfordshire Times 24th February 1916; X550/9/1

(1) The 8th Battalion war Diary gives Captain Simeons’ date of death as 15th February whilst Commonwealth War Graves Commission gives 17th

(2) Second Lieutenant

(3) Which he did not receive

(4) Despite its name a Territorial infantry unit. 

Luton Man Fighting Since Mons is Killed

Junction of Collingdon Street and New Bedford Road [Z50/75/184]

Monday 17th January 1916: Although no official intimation has yet been received there is no doubt as to the death of Private Stephen George Hare of the 1st Bedfords. Mrs. Hare, who resides at 8 Collingdon Street, first received the sad news on Saturday morning from Shillington. A young man, who was at the front with her son wrote to his relatives at Shillington. The letter from Shillington follows: “Dear Aunt – I’ve thought a lot about you this morning and feel I must write s few lines to know whether you have heard anything about dear Steve. I had a letter from a young man this morning who lives near your sister. His name is Walter Armstrong and he is in the Service Co the same one that Steve was, and he also said that Steve was killed on January 6th. Poor boy; I am so grieved about him. Walter was only fifteen yards from him when he was killed. He was shot in the head by a bullet and did not live five minutes. He said they buried him very nicely. Poor fellow, he is very sorry to lose him, for Steve was the only fellow in the Company that Walter knew. I feel so pleased that someone was with him at the time who knew him to let us know”.

“I had my last letter from Steve on New Year’s Day and in it he said that he had had a bad cold but it was a bit better. I am sure that if you have not heard anything about it you will be upset, and I do feel so sorry for you all. I hope God will give you strength to bear this great trial. I am sending the young man’s address so that if you care to write to him you may”.

Private Hare was only 25 years of age, and was a single man. He had not long finished seven years with the 1st Bedfords when war broke out and had been in South Africa and other parts of the Empire.

For some months he was at the Skefco works and on the outbreak of war, as a reservist, was called up with the 1st Bedfords. He came home on leave last August.

Source: Luton News 20th January 1916

(1) Private Hare was killed in action on 6th January and is buried in Carnoy Military Cemetery.

Lutonians in Germany

Wednesday 30th June 1915: Private Charles Odell of the Bedfordshire Regiment, a prisoner-of-war in Germany has written with the name of some of his comrades-in-arms with him in Germany, writing of a parcel of comforts sent by Mrs. A. B. Attwood he says: “We have three Sergeants here, and the parcel will be divided among us. We have had one big parcel from the Church Army, London and one from the “Keep Smiling Society”, London”.

“These are the names of the Luton boys with me: Lance Corporal W. Doffield, 9071, Royal Scots Fusiliers; Private E. H. Dobbs, 7821, Scots Guards; Private T. H. Hines, 8060, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment; Private L. W. Rogers, 1346, 6th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers; Sergeant J. Boswell, 7696, 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment; Private James Clarke, B Company, 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment; Private F. Mortimer, 8064, Royal Scots Fusiliers; Private T. Fisher, 9251, Royal Scots Fusiliers; Private A. Gregory, 10546, 2nd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment; J. Finlinson, 8143, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment; Private G. S. Moon, 8662, 1st Battalion, Scots Guards. These are all, but if you want the rest I will send them in my next letter”.

“I have also had a letter from Luton asking if I know Archer Godfrey. I am very pleased to say I do. I am only too pleased to let them know all I can and if there is anyone in Luton that you know who has relatives missing from the 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment, I would be very glad to tell them if I know anything about them, for we have two or three other lists here of missing men and N.C.O’s”.

A little while ago the employees of Messrs Tom Wheeler and Company, Williamson Street(1), Luton sent Private Odell some parcels. To the rest they devoted the profit made on the sale of chocolate in the factory.

Source: Luton News 8th July 1915

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(1) Straw hat manufacturers at 17 and 19 Williamson Street. 

News of the 6th Battalion

Wednesday 23rd June 1915: a Luton soldier from A Company, 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment in camp at Ludgershall in Wiltshire writes to us as follows: “I am writing these few lines on behalf of a few Luton Boys, myself included, just to let you know that there is a sixth Battalion of the Bedfords in existence. Myself and my friends have just had our four days’ leave at home and it seems that the people of Luton don’t know there is such a regiment and we don’t like it”.

“Our Battalion was the first one in Kitchener’s Army; it was founded on the tenth of August 1914, and we had the honour of being the smartest and best regiment during our six months’ winter training at Aldershot. The Sixth Beds were spoke of as the best there. They knew how to behave themselves. From the e we moved to Liss, a village down the South [in Hampshire], and we were there for six weeks, and we made our name good and respected there. Now we are on Salisbury Plain, and again have taken our place at the top of the division as Senior Regiment(1)”.

“Our marching is the best, and the other regiments here follow our lead. We are respected wherever we go. Hard work on these plains has made us fit and our colonel owns himself that we are ready and fit(2). We are the first to answer our Country’s call and the Luton Boys would like our fellow townspeople to now that there is a sixth who are keeping the good name of the Bedfords in a high standard in the Southern counties. We are doing our bit with a good heart and proud of our sixes, from which we are named”.

Source: Luton News 1st July 1915

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(1) They were originally attached to 9th (Scottish) Division, joining 112th Infantry Brigade, 37th Division in March 1915 and serving with it until disbanded in May 1918. They were not senior regiment in the division – regiments were graded in precedence by the old line regimental number – the Bedfordshire Regiment was the 16th Foot, there were battalions of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (6th Foot) and Royal Fusiliers (7th Foot) in the division as well as from Leicestershire Regiment (17th Foot), East Lancashire Regiment (30th Foot), Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (47th Foot), King’s Royal Rifle Corps (60th Foot) and Rifle Brigade (95th Foot).

(2) They would land in France for active service on 31st July 1915.

The Lusitania Battle-Cry

Tuesday 22nd June 1915: News has reached us of three Lutonians at the front: Private F. Halsey, 2478 Royal Army Medical Corps, Private A. Halsey, 19616, 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment of Brunswick Street and Private H. Halsey, 8296, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, of 6 New Town Street.

Private F. Halsey has been through some lively times of late and tells us of a fine charge by the Liverpool Scottish(1) whose battle-cry, as might have been expected of Liverpool men, was “Remember the Lusitania”(2). The damage done to the German ranks is briefly summed up in the statement that after British soldiers had spent three nights burying German dead, many of the enemy were still lying waiting to be put in their graves.

Source: Luton News 1st July 1915

(1) 1st/10th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment – part of 9th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division

(2) RMS Lusitania was a liner sunk by a U-Boat off the coast of Ireland on 7th May 1915. Liverpool was her home port. She was on her way from New York to Liverpool at the time. Today the incident tends to be remembered because 128 Americans died, the remaining 1,070 passengers and crew being largely overlooked. Mercifully, 764 were saved.

Knocked Out by Jack Johnson

Park Street from the junction with Chobham Street [Z1306/75/10/52/9]

Tuesday 15th June 1915: Private Albert Kempton, 7886, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has been home for a few days and is now undergoing medical treatment at Bedford. He hopes to return home to his wife and family, 1 Chobham Street, Luton, this weekend.

Private Kempton says: “I met with my ‘accident’ in the fateful Hill 60, I was buried alive in a big house and it took some time to get me out. I was ‘knocked out’ by a ‘Jack Johnson’(1) shell which burst and blew the whole place up. I was underneath, with about eight or ten tons of it over me – bricks and wood, and the smoke from shells which strangles people. How I got out God only knows. They had to dig me out, so they told me, but I knew nothing until I found myself in hospital. I was also shot in the leg and had concussion of the brain. I am getting on nicely now. I was taken to the hospital Rouen, and then to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, where I had every attendance I could wish for. It was like being in Heaven after what we had been through. I was taken out in a car, but it upset my head, so I had to get back to my bed again. Never mind, I was pleased when I got in Luton once more. I have been out there since August and I never experienced anything like it before in my life. I thank my lucky stars I have got through as well as I have”.

Private J. Kempton, 8710, 1st Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, a brother of Private Albert Kempton, is a prisoner of war in Germany. They hear from him occasionally and he is usually begging for bread.

Source: Luton News 17th June 1915

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(1) A German shell of 150mm calibre.

Parents Want News of Their Son

Round Green seen from Hitchin Road [Z1306/75/10/54/1]

Saturday 12th June 1915: Mr and Mrs Blake of 200 Hitchin Road, Luton are anxious for news of one of their two soldier sons, Private Francis James Blake, 13406, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. In the casualty lists published on Monday 31st May he was reported, under date April 19th, to be “wounded and missing”.

He joined the regiment in September of last year and since he went to the front he has written very regularly to his parents week by week. Early in April, however, his letters suddenly ceased and nothing more was heard of him until this inclusion of his name in the list of casualties. It is hoped that this publication may result in news being received from his comrades.

The family have not been in Luton sufficiently long(1) for them to become well enough known for news to reach them through the medium of relatives of other soldiers and Mr and Mrs Blake will therefore be extremely grateful if any of their son’s comrades who were with him when he was wounded will write and tell them what has happened.

Another son, George, is also in the Bedfords, but as far as is known he is quite all right(2).

Source: Luton News 3rd June 1915

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(1) The family was from Lincolnshire.

(2) Private Blake, aged 19, was killed in action on 19th April 1915 helping to consolidate Hill 60 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.

1st/5th Bedfords' Send-Off from Luton

Luton Town Hall [Z1306/75/10/23/13]

Sunday 6th June 1915: On Friday we spoke of the 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment’s send-off from Bedford. Yesterday they experienced another send-off, from Luton. It was a scene unparalleled in the history of the borough. Never before has the whole battalion been seen in the town and this, in itself, made it a noteworthy occasion. In addition, there was the probability that it might be the last opportunity Luton would have of seeing the battalion before it went abroad. In these times a battalion is here today and gone in the night and at any moment we may hear that the battalion is no longer in the country. This very fact alone would have justified a demonstration of the popular sentiment, and if any further excuse were needed it was to be found in the fact that the battalion was made up largely of our own men, who came in as a body for the first time since mobilisation and for the first time under a commanding officer who is a Lutonian. Lieutenant-Colonel E. W. Brighten brought his men, who had done a trek of over sixty miles in three hot days, into George Street exactly as the clock was striking seven and they could not have desired a more cordial reception.

Chief Constable Teale, Inspector James and other police officers had kept the ground well cleared for the troops and until the reception by the Mayor and other leading townspeople was over one could hardly tell the size of the crowd which had been drawn together. But when, the troops having resumed their march to Luton Hoo, the public were able to take up the whole roadway, it was really surprising to see what a crowd had gathered to have a first, and maybe a last, look at the battalion as a whole. Indeed, townspeople able to speak with the authority of long years of experience, said such a crowd had never before been seen in George Street. We may hope that it will be eclipsed when celebrations mark the return of the piping days of peace(1). But, be that as it may, Saturday evening’s gathering will go down as one of the most memorable occasions in the history of the borough. The Mayor’s invitation to residents to decorate their premises was well responded to in the principal thoroughfares, a gay show of flags and bunting being made along the lin eof route from New Bedford Road to the end of Park Street and in some of the side-streets also.

A temporary platform had been erected outside the Town Hall and on this the Mayor was accompanied by various members of the Town Council, the South Bedfordshire Recruiting Committee and other prominent townspeople. The Mayor, on behalf of the Corporation, Recruiting Committee and town generally, gave the battalion a very hearty welcome. They belonged, he said, to a county which had sent out men who had done some wonderful deeds on the field of battle. The Bedfords had done noble deeds for their country. Probably, in a very short time, this 1st/5th Battalion would be called to face the enemy.

“We adore every man of you” said the Mayor, amid cheers, “for the reason that you have voluntarily stepped forward and offered yourselves and your very lives, if need be, to protect our wives and children and the homes of Luton, of Bedfordshire and of the country generally. Many of you have given up lucrative positions and broken away from your home circles, to stand in the breach in our country’s hour of peril and danger. We honour every one of you. And when you are called upon to meet this most unscrupulous enemy, the vilest enemy that ever fought in battle, I trust you will cherish this thought, that we are thinking of you and we that we shall bear you up, not only in our thoughts, but in our prayers also. In the name of every man, woman and child in Luton we give you a hearty welcome in our midst and wish you God Speed”.

Source: Luton News 10th June 1915

(1) It may have been eclipsed by Luton’s “peace riot” of 19th to 21st July 1919 when ex-servicemen and others, dissatisfied by their treatment by the mayor and civic officers, burned down the Town Hall amongst other things.

Deserted to See His Sick Wife

Ampthill Camp [Z1306/1/34/2]

Tuesday 1st June 1915: the first case in which it has been necessary to requisition an escort for an absentee from the Duke of Bedford’s Regiment(1) in Ampthill Park, was dealt with by the Luton magistrates. The man was Arthur Nicholls, whom Sub-Inspector Attwood found at a house in Gordon Street, Luton. Nicholls admitted that he had not a pass, and said he left the camp the previous Saturday, and would have gone back the same day had his wife not been so ill. The officer stated, however, that he had ascertained that the man’s wife had had neuralgia, but she was not ill now, and was able to be about. He was granted a reward of 5 shillings for the apprehension, and Nicholls was remanded to await an escort

Source: Luton News 25th May 1915

(1) The unofficial name given to those training to join the Bedfordshire Regiment at Ampthill Training Camp, which was set up and commanded by the Duke of Bedford.

A Prisoner Wants Food

Houses in North Street

Friday 16th April 1915: Private W. Smith of the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, whose father and mother live at 73 North-street, Luton, a prisoner-of-war in Germany, writes asking for food. He is at Munster, Westphalia, and on a postcard recently received by his sister, Mrs Virgin, of 62 North-street he says: - "Please send me some bread, lard, cheese or good old bread pudding. You can send up to 11 lbs free of charge - no stamps or anything".

His father and mother have since received a letter in which he says: "I got the last parcel on March 5th. We get parcels quicker than letters or cards. If you can get me anything else I should be very pleased, as we can do with it, or I should not keep sending to you for stuff. I will pay you for it, and a bit more besides, when I get home, which I hope won't be long. When I do get home I shall never forget I have got a good mother and dad, who have looked after me at the right time … Send me some tinned bread, margarine, cheese, or anything like that for the cheapest - not because I shall be afraid to pay for it, but because it is most filling. And send me a pair of socks if you can as I have not got any. You have sent me some nice parcels and I think I am asking you to do too much, but I can't help it. Lord help them, sausages for breakfast tomorrow (Sunday) … the fag papers are useful, and if I don't want them I can make 2½d. per packet and buy bread with the money"(1).

Source: Luton News 22nd April 1915

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(1) This letter points to shortages of food already in Germany. This was due to the blockade imposed by the Royal Navy which went a long way to winning the war. By 1918 German civilians were on starvation rations, fuelling such discontent that uprisings began to take place. Rationing had been introduced in January 1915.

Families in Service

Monday 1st March 1915: Sergeant Albert Allen, of the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, is home from the Front, suffering from injuries to the eyes. He is a son of Mrs Allen of Woburn-road, Luton, and when war broke out his battalion was stationed in South Africa. they answered the call and after a short sojourn in England went to the Front on 14th October. The battalion had been nineteen days in the trenches when they were given a rest. They were billeted in houses behind the firing line and on 14th November - the first day of their rest - Sergeant Allen received severe injuries to the eyes, caused by the bursting of a gas tank in the house in which he was billeted.

Mrs Allen has another son, Private Walter Allen, who joined Lord Kitchener's Army, and was sent out to the Front with a draft of the 2nd Bedfords, having left England a fortnight ago. He served in the South African War. Company Quarter Master Sergeant Mart is a son-in-law of Mrs Allen, who was attached to the 4th Battalion of the Bedfords, but is now with the 12th Battalion, doing yeoman service for his King and country. He has four brothers in the same battalion, who have all reached the rank of sergeant, and another brother in the 1st Battalion, while yet another brother of his is serving in the Navy(1).

Source: Luton News 11th March 1915

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(1) Albert Allen seems to have survived the war; 3/8671 Private Walter Allen, who may the Walter referred to above, died on 10th May 1920 and is buried in Crawley Green Road Cemetery. He is described as attached to 319th Motor Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps, he was 49 and married to E Allen of 22 Warwick Road, Luton. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry for him states that he served in the South African Campaign. Company Sergeant Major Frederick Charles Mart of 4th Battalion was killed in action on 29th April 1917 and is buried in Bailleul Road East Cemetery, Saint-Laurent-Blangy.

Still Living

Wednesday 3rd February 1915: “He is not dead. I left him last Thursday morning alive and well in the trenches”.

Such was the remarkable statement made by Private Thomas George Wood of Bailey-street, Luton, who is serving with the 2nd Bedfords and who returns from Luton to the front tomorrow. The remark refers to a comrade, Private W. Boon, who was last week reported killed. The statement of Private Wood has caused much mystification, and his mother, Mrs Boon of 28 Saint Ann’s-road, Luton, is anxiously waiting for further news from her son. It was thought that there could be no doubt as to Boon’s death, for it was reported by the chaplain at No. 6 Clearing Hospital, who wrote that he was with the young fellow when he died. A letter, posted on the same day as the chaplain’s letter, was received and in it Boon complained of rheumatism, and said he would like to get home for a day or two. It was thought the letter was found on the dying man, but now that a mistake is suspected, it is surmised that the posting of the letter on the same day as that sent by the chaplain is purely a coincidence(1)

Private Wood said that he came out of the trenches last Thursday at 4.30 a.m. and he then spoke to Boon, with whom he had attended Surrey-street Schools, Luton as a boy. Last Friday he was home on leave and on going into a hairdresser’s shop in Bailey-street he saw an authoritative intimation in the “News” of Boon’s death. Wood added that he thought it was a case of mistaken identity and he will speak to Boon about it when he gets back to the trenches on Friday.

Private Wood has had some narrow escapes whilst at the front. Yesterday, detailing some of his experiences Private Wood said “One day in October we carried out a charge at Ypres and half my bayonet was blown away by a shell. My rifle was also smashed and I had to discard it. Another, in December, at Bailleul, when we went out to take some prisoners, a bullet entered the back of my coat and slightly grazed my skin. It was a miraculous escape. Two days later I was out on patrol and we were nearly all captured in barbed wire entanglements. The Germans were dropping shells all the time. Our officer told us to escape the best way we could but the Germans had all but surrounded us. I and another man from London managed to slip out and we jumped one of the barbed wire fences. I thought I was in a Marathon race, but we got back to our headquarters all right”.

“Another day I was on outpost duty and the force was so strong against us that we had to retire under machine gun fire. A bullet went through the butt of my rifle but did not touch the mechanism and I have fired out of it since. My skin was grazed, however”.

Private Wood has evidently led a charmed life and his friends in Luton wish him a safe return to their midst again.

Source: Luton News 28th January 1915

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(1) A Private Edgar Boon of the 1st Battalion, who came from Saint Neots, died of wounds on 10th January and is buried at Bailleul

(2) Sadly 3/7361 Private William Boon, from Luton, was killed in action with the 2nd Battalion on 17th May 1915 during the Battle of Festubert. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the le Touret Memorial