"I Could Cook for the Chaps"

Crimean War cannon on the Bedford Embankment, c.1906. The cannon was removed and scrapped during the Second World War [Z50/9/91]

Monday 17th August 1914 (Luton and Biggleswade): A recruiting office has opened at the Volunteer Club in Park Street, Luton where men can sign up to join the new army being raised by Lord Kitchener. Men whose teeth are too poor to be accepted into the army are being given free use of the dental clinic so that they can be passed fit by the recruiting officer. Once accepted they are sent to Bedford for a full medical examination. 

A story has been going round about an old soldier from Biggleswade, George Smith. A veteran of the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny, he wants to go with the Expeditionary Force despite being 82 years old. He admits he is too old to fight, but says “I could cook for the chaps: I could make a pie or pudding with any of them”.

Source: Luton News 20th August 1914