Woburn Abbey

Woburn Abbey, 2008 © Bedfordshire and Luton Archive Service

5th September 1914, Woburn: Many of the employees of the Duke of Bedford at Woburn Abbey and Park have already left to join the Forces. More are expected to follow as the Duke has made it crystal clear that after the war he will not continue to employ any single men who fail to serve their Country. All his workers have received the following notice:

“To all employees on the estates of the Duke of Bedford, K.G. His Grace directs that at the conclusion of the war posts now held by single men between the ages of 19 and 35 who are physically fit, and have not accepted service in any of the Naval and Military Forces of the Crown, will be thrown open to men who return from the war in want of employment, and that the present occupants of those posts must not expect to retain them.”

Source: Luton News 10/9/1914