Farewell from the Leicesters

Image: Leicestershire Regiment, 4th Battalion, C Company in George St, Luton, 1914 [Z1306/75/21/31]

Wednesday 4th November 1914: The Leicestershire Regiment Territorials who have been billeted in Luton are expecting to leave any day. One of their members has written expressing his thanks to the town and his appreciation of the welcome they have been shown. When they first arrived there were “numerous little kindnesses in the shape of pies, pudding and pastry of all kinds”, for those billeted in schools and empty houses as well as for those with landladies. He even appreciates the benefits of the early closing rule because “after a ‘tall night’ a fellow doesn’t feel very rosy trudging along the road with his pack on his back, a ‘large thirst’ in his throat, and a head feeling the size of two”. He believes that everyone will notice the difference in their bearing after the training they have received. He expresses regret that so much friction arose over the matter of payments, agreeing with the townsfolk that it was unfair that some were paid higher rates than other for providing the same accommodation and hopes that people will not hold it against them.

He thinks the Territorials will leave a legacy behind them in military-minded small boys "judging by the squads that invade the billet area that we occupy. They sing our songs and imitate our drills, and mimic the eccentricities of some of our N.C.O.s”. He hopes that the farmers of the area will forgive them for the gaps in their hedges, and that they will lay the blame where it belongs, with Kaiser Bill. He recalled one incident where some of the soldiers discovered a pub with an orchard, where the landlord lost as much in apples as he gained in beer sales. Finally the author compliments the town on their excellent baths, but regrets the lack of public conveniences. His parting words were "Thank you all, Lutonians, landladies, landlords, sons and daughters, who have chummed us up, and perhaps when you have surveyed the damage and have entered on to the old state of things again, you will retain a kindly remembrance of the ‘boys in khaki’ who turned out when their country called."

Source: Luton News 5 November 1914