Attempted Burglary at Clapham Park Lodge

Z50/29/9, View of West Lodge, c.1930 (Bedfordshire Archives & Records Service)

Saturday 2^nd June 1917:  The Bedford Division Bench is told how a plucky Beatrice Hart chased off a midnight intruder at Clapham Park Lodge. Private Thomas Pyle Porthouse was charged with breaking and entering West Lodge on 27^th May. Mrs Hart, whose husband is at war, testified that Porthouse called at her Lodge gate asking for a drink of water. She gave him some water and the soldier then went away, disappearing into the bushes. Before going to bed, she made sure the doors and windows were securely fastened. At 11.30, she heard someone moving around at the back and a window being rattled and forced open. Mrs Hart dressed herself and the children and heard the door from the scullery to the hallway being opened. She shouted: “Clear out, or I will shoot your brains out”. She had an air gun and fired it at the door. She then sent her boy and girl to the coachman’s house and Mr Plumber came within ten minutes. Together, they examined the house and found nobody there. However, the scullery window had been opened and Mrs Hart’s bicycle light had been taken and used as a lamp on the scullery shelf. The dog kennel had been placed underneath the window. Footprints led to the window from the rose borders, from which the police were able to take a plaster cast and identify Porthouse. That evening, Porthouse had been round for supper at East Lodge with Rose Broughton and had obviously used the opportunity to make an attempt on West Lodge.

Porthouse had nothing to say at the Bedford Bench and was committed to the approaching Assizes. Porthouse was also committed to trial for stealing a razor belonging to a fellow soldier, Henry Forrester, whom he was billeted with in Milton Ernest.

Source: Bedford Record 5/6/1917

Milton Ernest Officer Killed

Captain John Harold Farrar

Saturday 5th June 1915: The last officer of the 1st Battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment to remain unscathed has fallen in action. Captain John Harold Farrar was the only son of Mrs. Mary Farrar of Milton Ernest House and the Alpine mountaineer Captain John Percy Farrar, DSO, and the nephew of the late Colonel Sir George Farrar who died in South Africa two weeks ago following a tragic accident.[1] Captain Farrar joined the Northamptonshire Militia in 1905 and transferred to the 3rd or Special Reserve (Territorial) Battalion when the Militia was abolished. On the outbreak of war he transferred to the 1st Battalion and went to France on August 12th. He took part in the retreat from Mons, the battles of the Marne, the Aisne, and Ypres. On October 27th last year he was promoted to captain and was mentioned in despatches earlier this year. He acted for a time as Adjutant to the Battalion, writing cheerful letters of thanks for gifts of cigarettes and other comforts sent to his men. Captain Farrar was a keen hunter, riding regularly with the Oakley Hounds and at local point-to-point meetings. His mother has received the following letter from a Company Sergeant Major of 1st Northamptonshire Regiment:

“I am more than sorry to write and tell you that our brave soldier officer, Captain Farrar, was killed in action on the morning of May 9th, at the hour of 5.40 a.m. He was shot through the heart, his death being instantaneous. I must tell you that he was one of the most popular and bravest of officers in the regiment, loved and respected by all ranks of his regiment. He received orders to advance. He then got up, gave the order to the men in his company to advance, and it was at that time he met his death, within one hundred yards of the enemy’s trenches. I can assure you of the regiment’s deepest sympathy in your great and sad loss.”[2]

Source: Bedfordshire Standard 4th June 1915

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[1] Both Captain John Percy Farrar and Colonel Sir George Farrar were old boys of Bedford Modern School.

[2] The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website gives the date of Captain Farrar’s death as 9th April 1915.