A War Alphabet

Kindergarten classroom at Moreton House School, Dunstable, c.1910 [Z1306/36/13/5]

Friday 31st December 1915:

A is for Armies whose brave deeds we sing,B stands for Belgium, we honour her King,
C for our Colonies, flocking to fight,
D for the Dardanelles. Did we do right?E is for England who’s “seeing it through,”F for fair France who is trusty and true;G is for Germans, whose cause is so rotten,
H stands for Honour, a word they’ve forgotten.
I stands for Italy, come to our aid,
J Jellico, who will see sea-debts paid.K for Lord Kitchener, on whom we rely,
L is for Loos, where the Germans did fly.
M is for Mons, where some thousands fell, N for our Navy- where? No one can tell.
O stands for Officers, brave men indeed;
P is for Privates who follow their lead.
Q stands for Quarrel, which we never sought,
R is for Russia, how bravely she’s fought!S is for Serbia, not lacking in bravery,
T for the Turks who’ll soon be in slavery.
U is for Unity, shown by Allies,
V is for Victory, surely their prize;
W for Winter, a dreadful time then,
X is for Xmas which brought “Peace to men.”Y is for Year, may the New Year bring peace,
Z is for Zeppelin, whose visits must cease.

(from a V and VI Form Competition, Moreton House School, Dunstable)

Source: The Moretonia, December 1915 [Z930/1/2

Funeral Held for Samuel Whitbread

Samuel Whitbread (Wikimedia, from Vanity Fair 1895)

Thursday 30th December 1915: The funeral took place at 1pm today of Mr. Samuel Whitbread, D.L., J.P., who died at his residence at Southill Park early on Christmas morning at the age of 85. The church at Southill was filled to capacity for his funeral. Mr. Whitbread was associated with the brewery which bears the family name from 1867 and in 1889 became chairman of the company. He served as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Bedford for forty-three years from 1852 until his retirement in 1895. Locally he served as Chairman of the Governors of the Harpur Trust and of the Bedford County Hospital, to which he was a great benefactor. He took a great part in administrative affairs in the county and was at one time an Alderman of Bedfordshire County Council. Of great importance to the county was his role as Chairman of the Biggleswade Water Board in providing an excellent water supply for Biggleswade and the surrounding parishes by sinking a well in the greensand from which supplies are piped as far afield as Kempston.  He continued to be active in local affairs until a few years ago when advanced age and deafness forced him to retire.

Samuel Whitbread maintained his estates in excellent order, building a number of model cottages, restoring the churches of Elstow and Cardington, and carefully preserving the two villages. Large numbers of his tenants have attended a memorial service for Mr. Whitbread at Elstow where the flag flew at half mast. During his career he spent over £50,000 building and improving cottages on his estate. He helped to draft the Local Government Board Act which established Parish Councils and until his death was the first and only Chairman of Southill Parish Council. Thanks to his generosity Southill possesses a splendid cricket ground. It is said that, “He was one of the kindest and most sympathetic of men, always ready to help any good cause, and to relieve any necessitous case, his right hand not knowing what his left hand did; he never, I believe, said a harsh word to any person of humble estate, and was most careful not to hurt anyone’s feelings.”

Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 31st December 1915

Fruitless Enquiries

Private Arthur Emmerton 

Wednesday 29th December 1915: The family of missing soldier Percy Gambriel are continuing to make enquiries in their efforts to trace him but this are still proving fruitless. They have contacted the British Red Cross, the Bureau Zuricois pour la Recherche des Disparus at Zurich, and now the Prisoners of War Help Committee in the hope that he may be a prisoner of war. Unfortunately from their reply it seems unlikely that this is the case: “The Committee beg to say that they regret they are not at present in possession of any information in regard to the person about whom you enquire, as being a prisoner of war, but should any news be received, it will immediately be communicated to you”.

For another family the news of their missing son is grim. Private Arthur Emmerton of the 2nd Bedfords, aged 23, was last heard from by his parents on 23rd October 1914. It was thought that during the hard fighting which took place at that time he was separated from his comrades and taken prisoner. However, nothing was heard of him and on November 11th 1914 he was officially reported missing. Mr and Mrs Emmerton of Bedford Road, Kempston, have continued to make enquiries to no news of their eldest son has been received. The War Office have no written to them stating that “the Army Council have been regretfully constrained to conclude that Private Arthur Emmerton, 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment, is dead”.

Source: Z1270/7-9; Bedfordshire Standard, 10th December 1915

A Hundredweight of Coal for Christmas

Church Street, Dunton c.1905 [Z1306/37/10]

Tuesday 28th December 1915: Letters of thanks have been received by Mrs. William Kendall of Millow Hall, Dunton, for the useful parcels she sent as a Christmas present to each of the Dunton boys who are serving at the Front. This generous lady also provided a welcome gift of one hundredweight of coal for each of the eleven widows in the village.

Source:Biggleswade Chronicle, 31st December 1915

Christmas at Wrest Park Hospital

Wrest House c.1914 [Z1130/104/1/20]

Monday 27th December 1915: The Christmas celebrations at Wrest Park Hospital will come to a close tonight with a concert by staff and patients who are well enough to take part. Items on the bill include songs, sketches, and the “Golliwog Minstrel Troupe”. On Christmas Day everything possible was done to cheer the patients and make them forget, at least for a time, the sufferings they had undergone over the past year. The entrance hall was transformed with decorations and sumptuous fare was served. In the evening a cinematograph entertainment was provided for the entertainment of the patients and a few visitors, who also enjoyed a few songs. The whole hospital is looking forward to tonight’s more extensive programme. This small piece of humour illustrates the general feeling of the patients:

Q. Why is Wrest Park Hospital like the army?A. Because it takes some beating.

 Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 31st December 1915

Boxing Day at Bedford

Greetings from Biscot Camp, 1915 [Z1306/75/16/13]

Sunday 26th December 1915: After an unseasonably wet day yesterday Bedford is enjoying bright weather for Boxing Day. Troops billeted in the town spent their Christmas at the Central Recreation Room in the Corn Exchange where they enjoyed an excellent Christmas buffet and a lavishly decorated Christmas tree supplied by the Duke of Bedford. Gifts subscribed by local residents were distributed to the soldiers by Father Christmas (impersonated by Mr. W. Machin). Games were played and the Mayor gave a short speech. Ladies canvassing for subscriptions for the Serbian Refugee Fund have been busy over the Christmas Season. The Mayor, Mayoress, and Miss Hockliffe were “at home” in the Town Hall on Christmas Day to receive subscriptions and will be there again tomorrow and on Wednesday. Tables at the Town Hall have been decorated with ornamental plants by Messrs Laxton Bros. Tonight an entertainment and concert will be given at the Sergeants’ Mess of the Bedfordshire Battalion Depot for wives, families, and friends of Staff-Sergeants and Sergeants serving both at home and abroad. They promise a memorable evening in keeping with the traditions of the Bedfordshire Regiment, which in this war as in the past “has proved itself second to none in upholding the honour and glory of an Empire upon which the sun never sets”.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 31st December 1915

Mud Larks in the Trenches

North Bridge Street, Shefford, c.1910-20 [Z50/101/37]

Friday 24th December 1915: Shefford soldier Lance-Corporal A. Breed of the 1st Bedfords, who is in hospital with frozen feet, writes: “Talk about mud-larks! The last time I was in the mudbaths, for one cannot call them trenches, for six days, and it rained on and off all the time. The mud was up to our knees, and if we moved far we went in up to the tops of our legs. We wore jack-boots, but I was wet footed after the first day. I was in some bad trenches last year, but these last six days are the worst I have had. My feet got numbed, and I could hardly feel them. Still I made up my mind to stick it, at least as long as I could. But on coming out I went sick. The doctor says my feet will soon be better, and I am glad to say they are geeing on lovely. I am pleased to see the people of Shefford are thinking of us again this Christmas, and I hope that you will all enjoy yourselves.”

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 28th December 1915

A Letter from Salonika

Major R.A.B. Orlebar, 1919 [X464/22/14]

Thursday 23rd December 1915: Erica Orlebar, the daughter of Mrs. Faith Orlebar of Hinwick, has received a letter from her brother, Lieutenant Richard Orlebar. An officer of the 3rd Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment he has been attached to the 5th Royal Irish Fusiliers and is in Greece as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. He writes: “I have not had a chance to get a line off to anyone for weeks, as we have been in the wilds, and only arrived back in this place (Salonika, generally termed “Slushonika”) last night, the last fifty miles being performed on “Shank’s Mare”. Tonight will be the first night for four weeks that I shall have taken my clothes off. As a matter of fact we have had a rotten time, and are jolly lucky to be out of it with our skins whole, and far luckier not to be sitting in a Bulgar camp with barbed-wire round it.”

After the British forces were beaten back by a Bulgar attack they were forced to retreat under cover of darkness. He says: “I thought it never would get dark, but it eventually did. We toddled on then for some five miles, across a river and up a pass, to Causli, where we slept under a roof (the last roof I slept under till last night, when we got tents, - an interval of some ten days) … in the course of the next day we made our way down on to the Dojran (pronounced Doyrarn) road. Since then we have been walking back here, and got in, wet, weary and hungry last night; we found some tents (nowhere near enough!), no food, and wet blankets, but SLEPT!!!”

Source: Copy of letter from Lt. R.A. B. Orlebar [X464/202/1]

Clothing Thefts at Vauxhall Works

Vauxhall Works c.1920 [Z1306/75/17/34]

Wednesday 22nd December 1915: Following a series of thefts Vauxhall Motor Works brought a prosecution against an employee at today’s Luton Borough Sessions. Mrs Emily Clark of Hitchin Road is a mother of four and the wife of a soldier who has been pensioned out of the Army due to extensive injuries to his sides. The charge against her was that she had stolen a coat belonging to Florrie Mayes, another Vauxhall employee, from the cloakroom. Hubert Bolton, the manager of the department, stated that on Thursday December 7th Mrs Clark had left without giving notice. On that day he had put up a notice in order to put an end to a series of thefts. Around 18 to 20 coats, many hats, and some money had gone missing. This had only occurred in the women’s department; there was no such trouble in the men’s. This pattern of thefts has been seen in many other large Works since they began to employ women. Some had taken on a woman to protect the girl clothes at considerable expense.

The stolen coat was found by another girl employee who lived next door to Mrs Clark. When Mrs Clark became aware that it was known she had the coat she went home. She denied to the neighbour girl that she had stolen it, but when told “If you don’t bring it down Mr. Bolton is going to kick up a fuss about it” she fetched the coat. Mrs Clark was arrested and when asked to account for the coat claimed she had borrowed it. When it was pointed out that she had admitted stealing it she replied, “Well, I sent it back again”. In court she pleaded guilty and expressed her sorrow. When asked if she was hard up she said her husband only had a pension of £1. Mr Bolton had hoped that the Bench would make an example of Mrs Clark, but the Bench felt they could not do so due to her distressing circumstances. Although the court was told this was not her first offence and she had been prosecuted for stealing twice before, in October 1912 and May 1913, they decided to fine her only 10 shillings, with payment spread over a month. Mr Bolton admitted that Vauxhall had no idea about the extreme circumstances.

Source: Luton Times, 24th December 1915

Postwomen Begin Work

Luton's Postwoman, November 1915

Tuesday 21st December 1915: To alleviate the labour shortage caused by the war the Post Office has taken on a number of postwomen. A reporter who spent time with a lady learning the ropes in New Bedford Road area of Luton tells us, “She walks along very briskly, and appeared quite a home with her bag and bundles of letters”. At Woburn Miss Ethel King has taken her brother’s place and in now delivering letters in the town. The mid-day delivery has been discontinued and the residents of Woburn are not only receiving two deliveries a day. A second postwoman, Miss May Skinner, is expected to begin deliveries imminently.

Source: Luton News 5th November 1915; Leighton Buzzard Observer 21st December 1915

Munitions Work at Bedford School

Work on munitions at Bedford School [Z447/22]

Monday 20th December 1915: The boys at Bedford School are contributing to the war effort by carrying out munitions work. Through the assistance of Mr. F. Yarrow at the end of the summer term the Headmaster was able to obtain from Yarrow’s about 50 high pressure valve bodies to be machined and 50 bolts and nuts for the casing of turbines for the Navy. During the summer holidays about 50 boys volunteered for this work, working in three shifts. Each shift of boys worked for 3½ hours every other day under the supervision of Mr. Davison; an extra shift of amateurs worked two afternoons each week. The task was completed early in the autumn term to the complete satisfaction of Messrs. Yarrow. Arrangements were also made with the South East Midlands Munitions Board to manufacture 13lb shells. Work has been carried out on these since the beginning of term by the boys and amateur works, to whose numbers some ladies have recently been added. A large number of boys have volunteered to work during the afternoons outside school time, and others to work during the Christmas holidays. Extra machinery has been required to manufacture the shells, with a large amount of preparation in the manufacture of gauges, chucks and special tools, only made possible by the skill and devostion of Mr. Davison. The gauges and chucks for some of the final operations are not yet complete so no shells have yet been finished. A large number are nearly complete, and nearly all have passed the tests so far applied to them by the Government Inspectors.

Source: The Ousel (Bedford School Magazine), 20th December 1915 [Z447/22]

The Chronicle Heroes Fund

Private Christopher Lincoln

Sunday 19th December 1915: Our military correspondent wrote recently of the young Biggleswade soldier Private Christopher Lincoln who was severely wounded in the thigh in September while performing an act of conspicuous bravery at the Battle of Loos and is now in hospital at Colchester. To show its appreciation for his actions the Biggleswade Chronicle set up the “Chronicle Heroes Fund” to raise funds to purchase a gold watch for the young man as a token of appreciation from the town. The scheme is supported by the Chairman of the Urban District Council who will make the presentation on behalf of the town if the scheme is a success. The 2,200 postcards which have been published to commemorate the young man's gallantry carry the words “With the Season’s Greetings” and can be used as Christmas and New Year’s cards. Boys and girls have been selling the cards and the number bought is already approaching 600. Gertie Jackson has raised 12s 4d and Winnie Dennis is not far behind with 9s 2d. The fund is also open for subscriptions.

Source: Biggleswade Chronicle 24th December 1915

Aspley Guise Postmaster Charged with Theft

The Old Post Office, Aspley Guise, c.1910 [Z818/4]

Saturday 18th December 1915: Thomas Poland, the postmaster of Aspley Guise, was brought before a special court at Fenny Stratford this morning and charged with stealing two diamond rings from a registered postal parcel which was in transit at Bletchley Central Post Office. On hearing the charge Mr. Poland stated “I am absolutely innocent of the crime”. The accused, who is a married man and a property owner, had been a clerk and telegraphist at Bletchley and had only recently been promoted to the Aspley Guise postmastership. Bail was granted in the sum of £100 with two sureties of £50 each.

Sources: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 21st December 1915

Christmas Gift Ideas

North Street, Leighton Buzzard c.1920 

(Croxfords centre right) [Z1306/72]

Friday 17th December 1915: For anyone considering what Christmas presents to buy for men at the Front or at home Mr. Leonard Croxford, tailor, clothier and outfitter of 44 North Street, Leighton Buzzard, has put forward a number of suggestions in an advertisement in the Leighton Buzzard Observer:

Remember the Boys at the Front

Get to know what most they need, then give it to them – a practical gift in the firing line will be triumph for the giver and a joy to the recipient. Here are a few suggestions.

Wool Jackets, Flannel Shirts,

Wool Socks, Scarves, Pants and Vests,

Gloves, Mittens, handkerchiefs, etc., etc.,

For the men who are still at home you are sure to find her just the things that will be appreciated –

GIFTS OF THE PRACTICAL KIND

We suggest Flannel Shirts, Pyjamas, Pants and Vests, Wool Socks, Fancy Cashmere ditto, Gloves, Neckwear, Collars, Braces, Motor Scarves, Mufflers, Handkerchiefs, Hats, Caps, Umbrellas, Raincoats, Macintoshes, Travelling Rugs, Dressing Gowns, Trouser Press and Stretchers, etc.

For those who would prefer something other than clothing the advertisement of Horace Edward Herington M.P.S., Chemist, of 16 Market Square may be helpful.

CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR GIFTS FOR SOLDIER FRIENDS

Safety Razors

Shaving Soap in Sticks

Pocket Shaving Mirrors

Metal Soap Cases

Body Belts

Trench Powder

Luxuries for the Tuck Box

Oxo Cubes

Tea Tabloids

Malted Milk Tablets

Milk Tablets

Café Au Lait

Mixed Sweets in Tins

Any parcel packed free of charge for post in the United Kingdom. If packed in canvas for abroad a small charge made for canvas.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 14th and 21st December 1915

Lacemaking Revival

  

Lacemaking class at Maulden School, 1915 

Thursday 16th December 1915: Efforts are being made to revive the traditional Bedfordshire industry of lacemaking in line with the suggestion of Mrs. W. P. Gordon. At Maulden classes are being held both in the Day Schools and the Evening School, an innovation which is appreciated not just by the girls, but also by the teachers and parents.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 17th December 1915

Home Hints

Women at work in National Kitchen, WW1

(Imperial War Museum, available under IWM Non Commercial Licence)

Wednesday 15th December 1915: Housewives wishing to economise will find these suggestions helpful:

Handy hints:

• When baking potatoes, place them in hot water for 15 minutes before putting in the oven. They will then bake in half the time, and so effect a saving in gas.
• Keep a small box in the kitchen, and into this throw all used matches and ends of candles too small to burn. The contents of this box will be most useful for lighting fires.
• Vegetable peelings should be broken up small, wrapped in a piece of paper very tightly rolled and placed at the back of the stove sideways, on the top of the coals. The flames will scorch the paper black, and it will look like a lump of coal, will burn slowly, and be a great saving in fuel.

Economical substitutes:

• Instead of using two eggs for the family cake, use half an egg beaten up in two tablespoonfuls of golden syrup.
• When making rice pudding, place a slice of bread in the bottom of the dish and use less rice.
• Stewed fruit will need less sugar if the fruit is put into a basin and steamed first, and the sugar and water boiled separately and then added to the fruit.
• Put a pinch of bi-carbonate of soda in the teapot when making tea, and you will save a quarter of a pound on each pound of tea.

Recipe for Carrot Pudding

Scrape and wash half a pound of carrots, then put them into boiling water with salt and a piece of soda as large as a nut. Boil with the lid off, then rub the skin from them and pass through a sieve. Add a tablespoonful of sugar and two drops of lemon-juice. Make a custard with custard powder and add to the carrots, grease a pie dish and pour in the mixture. Place a few pieces of dripping on the top and bake for three-quarters of an hour. Turn out and serve.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 10th December 1915

Dead Baby’s Mother Gaoled for Neglect

Tuesday 14th December 1915: Mrs Nellie Selina Waterworth, the wife of a Luton soldier who was severely censured by the Coroner at the inquest into the death of her baby on 27th November has appeared at Dunstable charged with neglecting her three remaining children. Since the inquest she had moved from Luton to Dunstable and taken a house under the name of Smith. On December 8th Mr. C. Boskett, a plumber, and William Loughton, a painter, had gone to a house in Manchester Place where he saw Mrs Waterworth with her three children, Bert (aged 8), Doris (aged 5) and James (aged 3). They were sitting round the fireplace, but there was no fire. The children were poorly dressed and the youngest had no boots. Later in the day the children were running about the garden without boots in the wet and cold. There was still no fire in the house and the mother was away for some time. The children were crying. They saw no fire in the place for two days. Mr. Boskett said he would have given them fire and food, but had been told that the mother had an Army allowance. William Loughton gave the eldest boy a penny to get some cake.

A neighbour corroborated the men’s evidence and said that Mrs Waterworth left the children and when she returned swore at one of the children who was crying. Two soldiers had inquired for her saying “Do you know where a woman is that lost a baby?”  Two policemen had visited the house but nobody was at home. Later that evening she was seen in the High Street arm in arm with a soldier and was taken to the police station. The next night he visited the house and found Mrs. Waterworth washing the children, but there was no fire. Mrs Purser, the police matron, said that the children were well nourished, but very dirty and neglected. They smelt badly and were filthy, but did not have vermin. They were insufficiently clad and their condition was likely to cause them suffering. They had since been provided with clothes by the Poor Law Union. Mrs Waterworth admitted that she had been visited at home by a N.S.P.C.C. inspector and told she neglected her children. She was using the name Smith at Dunstable because she was ashamed of herself. She admitted knowing soldiers at Biscot huts, leaving her children and being in public houses with soldiers.

The Mayor sentenced Mrs Waterworth to two months’ hard labour and told her she was not only a disgrace to her sex, but to humanity, and had not the affection for her children that an animal had. The children are to be taken care of at the Luton Children’s Homes at Beech Hill.

Source: Luton Times, 17th December 1915

Landlord’s Son Wounded for a Second Time

Corporal Jim Quenby

Monday 13th December 1915: The son of the landlord of the Swan at Bromham has been wounded for a second time. Corporal Jim Quenby was in a communication trench waste deep in mud so had to get on top to reach the firing line; while doing so he was shot through both thighs. Corporal Quenby was one of eight Bedford lands who joined the 6th Gordon Highlanders while they were billeted in Bedford. Within a couple of weeks of arriving in France they took part in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle where one of the Bedford lads was killed and four others wounded including Quenby. After eight weeks recuperating in hospital at Rouen he returned to the Front where he was the only Bedford boy left in the firing line. As an expert bomb thrower he has on occasion been in trenches only 15 yards from the enemy. Before he enlisted in October last year Corporal Quenby was a clerk in the finance department of Bedford Corporation. He is now being treated at the Lahore British General Hospital. His father has received a letter from the Chaplain stating that there has been a slight improvement in his condition.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard 10th December 1915

Able-Bodied Men

Stag's Head, corner of Wing Rd and Old Rd, Linslade c.1906 [Z50/74/28]

Sunday 12th December 1915: As Lord Derby’s recruitment scheme draws to a close a soldier who was billeted in Linslade with the Somerset Light Infantry last winter has written to remind us why it is so important that all those men who are able to do so should enlist:

“I am glad to say I am in very good health considering the weather we have had since we have been here, now nearly two months. We are in the trenches at present, we do [censored] days in and as many out, but while out we get rest at night, but work in the trenches by day. It is very bad up here owing to the rain; it’s nothing but water and mud. You get simply plastered from head to foot, but you soon get used to it. We are all as bright as can be because we know we are on the side of right, and any man that is a man at all, that could see what it is like for the poor people out here, would pray to God that it may never happen to loved ones at home or England. It’s terrible for them; they are like hunted rats, they never know when a shell will upset their little home. This is the place for all able-bodied men, to keep the war this side of the Channel.”

One Linslade family has certainly done its share in contributing to the defence of the country. Joseph Woolhead has become the sixth son of Joseph and Sarah Ann Woolhead of 48 Old Road to join the Forces. Joseph, who emigrated to Canada some years ago, has enlisted in the Canadian Field Artillery. His brothers Edward and Lewis are in the infantry, Ernest is attached to the Army Service Corps, and Albert and Walter are in the Navy.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 14th December 1915

Lord Derby's Recruiting Scheme

Recruiting line at Luton, December 1915 [Luton Times]

Saturday 11th December 1915: Today is the last day of a recruiting scheme introduced by the Director General of Recruiting, Edward Stanley, the 17th Earl of Derby, which has been in operation since the beginning of November. Using information from the National Register compiled earlier this year all eligible men aged 18 to 41 who are not in an essential occupation have been interviewed by canvassers and asked face-to-face whether they are prepared to join the Forces. Those who agree are obliged to go to the recruiting office within 48 hours. Once sworn in they are being placed in one of 46 groups. Each group will be summoned in order for active service, with each being given 14 days’ notice. All the groups of single men will be called up before those containing married men.

The Corn Exchange at Luton has been a hive of activity this week with men rushing to sign up before the scheme closes. So many men have presented themselves to enlist that many have faced a wait of several hours. The pressure today is so great with hundreds of men from the big engineering works wishing to attest that it is feared the staff may not be able to deal with all the men by tonight. The rumour circulating in the town that the scheme would be extended is now known to be false. It is hoped that enough men will have been induced to enlist by this recruiting scheme that it will be possible for the Government to avoid introducing conscription.

Source: Luton Times, 10th and 17th December 1915

Offences Against the Lighting Order

Albany Road, Bedford, 1908 [Z1306/10/1]

Friday 10th December 1915: The Bedford Police Court held at Shire Hall today has been dealing with a number of offences against the Lighting order. The offenders were all summoned for failing to obscure or reduce the intensity of lights within their premises. John Gask, a shopkeeper of Park Road, was fined 5 shillings for allowing a light to shine three feet over the footpath. When Mrs. Christian of 11, Bushmead Avenue, the wife of Major Christian, was spoken to by the Special Constable for a similar offence she said it was “rot” to come on a night like that as it was too cold for Zeppelins. She was also fined 5 shillings. Another Special Constable visited Mrs Jenkins of 12, Campbell Road; when spoken too she said she had been “bothered by men all the week” and slammed the door in his face. She was fined the larger sum of £1. Corporal Collier of 4, Albany Road, pleaded not guilty to the offence. The Special Constable reported that a blanket was stretched partly over a top window but not sufficiently to prevent a light showing. There was a naked light in the front hall and the front door was open. Corporal Collier, who was the orderly corporal for the billet, said they did not have proper material for the window and agreed to report the matter to his superior officer. No previous complaint had been made and he had rectified the problem as soon as he was told of it. His fine was only 2s 6d.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 17th December 1915

The Men of the Voluntary Aid Detachment

Hayward-Tyler section of the V.A.D. [Luton Times]

Thursday 9th December 1915: We often hear of the ladies of the Voluntary Aid Detachments but should remember that a number of men are also doing their part. The men of the 1st section of Luton’s Red Cross are doing active work, attached for night duty to Wardown Hospital. One of the men attends the hospital every night ready to help as required. Messrs. Hayward-Tyler’s works formed this V.A.D. section some ten years ago. All the men are thoroughly experienced, with many holding merit medallions. Their training has been carried out by Arthur Dines, the first section leader appointed in Bedfordshire. Hayward-Tyler have taken a keen interest in the men’s work and they are trained to proper military standard, as they demonstrated in the ambulance operations at the Territorial recruiting demonstration held at Luton Hoo. Much credit is due both to their leader and to the men who are prepared to give up much of their leisure time to carry out this important work.

Source: Luton Times, 10th December 1915

Shop Early for Christmas

Bedford High Street c.1905 [Z1306/10/33/13]

Wednesday 8th December 1915: The Bedfordshire Times has asked its readers to shop early for Christmas, saying “To ‘Shop Early’ is to show true patriotism and to practice the most certain economy.” This year shopkeepers are labouring under unprecedented difficulties. Labour shortages are affecting every aspect of the retail business – production of goods, delivery to and by the shops, and dealing with customers. While most businesses have managed to obtain good supplies it will not be easy to replace these once sold. For example, the toys hand made by the new British toy making industry cannot be produced in the same quantities as the cheap toys previously imported from Silesia. Deliveries are often held up by the uncertainties of the railway system, where goods services are being curtailed due to the shortage of staff.

Shoppers are also being asked to shop earlier in the day. This would take the pressure off shop assistants, who often spend the first hour or two of the day with little to do and are then rushed off their feet for the rest of the day.  If shopping could be finished early in the evening it would also make delivery much easier. Fortunately small purchases are now generally being carried home but heavier and bulkier items still need to be delivered. The lighting restrictions now in place make it very much easier and safer if the shop vans can start their rounds earlier.

An anonymous Bedford shopkeeper has expressed his gratitude for this plea. Shopkeepers are finding it considerably harder to buy goods than to sell them. Seasonal parcels are often two or three months behind schedule, and goods handled in London or Manchester often take a fortnight to reach Bedford.  If customers shop early as far as possible matters will run far more smoothly and it will be to their own advantage to obtain their Christmas wants well in advance.

Source: Bedfordshire Times, 3rd and 10th December 1915

Lessons Taught By The War

Leighton Buzzard Conservative Club 

(formerly Unionist Club), 2008 [CR/PH]

Tuesday 7th December 1915: The Chairman of the Women’s Unionist Association in Leighton Buzzard has received a letter from Private W. Emmerson of the Grenadier Section of the 7th Durham Light Infantry, currently in a Rest Camp in France. The letter thanks the members of the Association for sending them socks and other comforts and goes on to tell her of some valuable lessons learned through experience of the war:

“A year or so ago a few among us would have thought very little of such gifts, but when one finds this want of things it makes them appreciate them all the more. This war is teaching a lesson, at least, I should say, many lessons we had not learnt in life before, and I shall mention three of them: ‘Want’ taught us to be thankful for for what we got; ‘Loneliness’ taught us to appreciate the love of those who love us; and ‘pain’ has taught us the pleasure of a healthy, clean, sober and Godly life, that up to the present date we had scorned. All this will show you that there are two sides of warfare, there is a good and evil side, and I think it will tend to make a better nation of us. I have spent seven months of this war in trenches and have been in two big battles (Ypres), but I am not sorry for what I have been through and for the strange sights I have seen (and I don’t think any of us are sorry). Each different sight taught us a lesson; it made the foolish think, the hard hearted loveable, and above all, it pointed out the way we men were misusing the glorious life that God had presented us with. I am writing this to let you know how most of us Tommies at the front feel for those at home, and how grateful we are to those who are so kind, and think of us. Once again we beg to express our thanks to you all. If I am not exceeding the bounds of your generosity, may I beg a letter from you? Letters from home are worth a fortune.”

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 7th December 1915

Two Railway Accidents at Sandy

Sandy Railway Station [Z1306/99/23]

Monday 6th December 1915: Richard Hemmaway, a driver employed by the Great Northern Railway was killed today while driving a goods train from Peterborough to London. Christopher Maidens, the fireman on the train, said that all went well until the train was about a mile from Sandy, when Hemmaway got on to the tender. The train was travelling at about 20 to 25 mph when they passed under a footbridge at Low Field in Everton and he heard a crack. When he looked up he could not see Hemmaway. He climbed onto the tender step and saw the driver lying with his head against the lid of the tank. He stopped the train and whistled for the guard. On examining Hemmaway they found he was dead. The driver knew the track well and Maidens thought that he must have gone to look in the tank to make doubly sure of the water – they could not get water at Sandy and would have to whistle for the slow line if they wanted to get water at Biggleswade. The guard, Patrick O’Connell said that when they found the driver lying dead on the top of the tender they went on to Sandy as quickly as possible and placed him in a waiting room. There he was examined by a doctor who found a fracture to the upper part of the cervical spine and two lacerations at the back of the scalp. Death must have been instantaneous. Richard Hemmaway was a married man with five children; he was 49 years old and lived at New England, Peterborough. He had worked for the Great Northern Railway for over 30 years been a driver for nine.

This was the second rail accident at Sandy in just three days. On Saturday Private Frank Reynolds of the Norfolk National Reserve Regiment who are stationed at Sandy was carrying water across the London and North-Western Railway Bridge over the Great Northern Railway in Cambridge Road, Sandy, when a train due to arrive at Sandy at 9.07 a.m. overtook him before he reached the south end of the bridge, catching him on his right arm. A doctor was summoned and found his arm to be badly cut and bruised He was taken to the Red Cross Hospital at Beeston where he is making good progress.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 10th December 1915