Lord Lucas Reported Missing

Lord Lucas [from Roll of Honour]

Tuesday 7th November 1916: Captain Auberon Herbert, Lord Lucas, an Old Boy of Bedford School and the owner of Wrest House (now in use as a military hospital LINK), has been reported missing. The magazine of his former school makes the following report:

“He was serving with the Royal Flying Corps in France, and made a flight over the German lines on November 4th. He did not return from this flight, and so far nothing has been heard of him or his machine. Lord Lucas was wounded during the South African War, in which he was acting as a correspondent of The Times. As a result of his wounds his leg had to be amputated below the knee. During the first few months of the present war he was a member of the Cabinet, holding the office of President of the Board of Agriculture. On the formation of the Coalition in May of last year he was one of the Ministers who retired. He immediately gave up political work and joined the Royal Flying Corps, although over the standard age (for this branch of the service) of 30.” “He soon gained his pilot’s certificate, and was sent to Egypt, where he did a good deal of flying. After a time he came back to England, and was for some months engaged in instructing recruits for the Flying Corps. A few months ago, while he was coaching an air pilot, his machine dived and the pilot was killed, but Lord Lucas escaped. Recently he went out to France for the life of greater activity which he preferred.”

Source: The Ousel, 18th November 1916 [Z447/23]

Fire at Wrest Park Hospital

Members of Wrest Park Fire Brigade c.1910 [Z50/142/785]

Friday 15th September 1916: Fire broke out yesterday evening in the mansion at Wrest Park, which has been in use as a hospital for wounded soldiers for the last two years. . The weekly fire drill which has been the rule at the hospital proved its worth and thanks to the prompt actions of the nursing staff who evacuated the patients coolly and efficiently there were no casualties.

Tea had been over for about an hour and a half and many of the patients were playing games of tennis, billiards and bowls when the fire broke out at around six o’clock. There were also many patients in bad as sixty more soldiers had arrived only a few days ago. These “cot cases” were in the wards formed from the original dining rooms and libraries running through the centre of the house. The fire started in the chimney of a bedroom next to the roof. The chimney is connected with the main boiler which is believed to have been defective. Sparks ignited the old timbers, causing the blaze to run along the inside of the roof towards the centre dome.

After the alarm was raised the evacuation of the patients took about ten minutes. The estate fire brigade arrived promptly and had at their disposal four 5,000 gallon tanks of rainwater, placed at each corner of the building for firefighting purposes. Ambulances from Woburn Abbey hospital and Ampthill Camp joined those from Wrest in taking the wounded to other hospitals. A detachment of 60 or 70 men from the Haynes Park camp arrived and joined in the efforts to remove furniture from the building, which continued until the early hours. Fire brigades from Ampthill, Shefford, Luton, Hitchin, Letchworth, Bedford, Holloway (London) and Kings Walden arrived to help with the firefighting after a district call was issued, bringing three motor engines, five steamers, and two manual engines. The risks run by the firemen are illustrated by this comment from Second Officer Andrews of the Luton Brigade: “One of our men, Fireman Giddings, had a rough time, and a narrow escape from suffocation. Whilst we were at work on the roof we were driving towards us, but we managed to get him clear in time. You see, the fire was running under the roof where there was a lot of thick lead sheeting, and it could not be seen until the smoke had enveloped us. No, we were not wearing smoke masks.”

Nine rooms on the east side, five at the front, and four to the left of the stairs were affected by the fire, with five or six of these completely gutted. The roof fell in, and part of the lead and zinc dome melted. Where possible the rooms had been stripped of furniture and ornaments, but the carpets could not be saved and considerable water damage was done to most parts of the building. Today Wrest is a scene of confusion, with furniture, bedding, paintings, statues and other articles lying all over the place. Marquees and tents have been set up to store the more valuable books and articles. Fortunately family heirlooms and the most valuable paintings were stored in a strong room which was well away from the fire.

Source: Luton News, 21st September 1916

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

A Shortage of Bellringers

Flitton c.1910 [Z1306/49/6]

Wednesday 1st September 1915

Barton-le-Clay

Although many of the village’s bellringers have gone to the Front, it has still been possible to ring all eight bells every Sunday. Leighton Buzzard has not been so fortunate and has had to replace most of their bellringers with women; these new ringers are said to be making excellent progress.

Flitton and Greenfield

The Parish Church has been insured for £2,000 against damage by aerial craft (war risks) at a cost of £2.

Silsoe

The total number of eggs collected by the Misses Jones over the past three months for the wounded soldiers at Wrest Park Hospital has passed 3,000. The Hospital has now been temporarily closed for alterations. Some of the soldiers have been sent to the Military Hospital at Cambridge, others to private houses which have been converted into convalescent homes, and a few have gone on leave. It is hoped that the supply of eggs will be continued when the hospital reopens.

Source: Monthly Magazine for the parishes of Barton-le-Cley, Clophill, Flitton and Greenfield, Gravenhurst, Silsoe, Westoning, September 1915 [P21/30/17]

Funeral of a Soldier

Silsoe Church c.1905 [Z50/104/50]

Saturday 17th July 1915: A funeral was held today at Silsoe for Edwin James Hand, one of the wounded soldiers being treated at Wrest Park Hospital.[1] Although his wound was so serious that it was necessary to amputate his leg in a hospital at Boulogne, it was hoped that he would live. Gunner Hand had served with the 5th Company of the Reserve Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery. His funeral was attended by a large number of his comrades from Wrest and the Last Post was played at the end of the service. Despite this recent tragic death, it should be pointed out that considering the large number of men treated at Wrest, the percentage of fatal cases is extremely small.

Source: Monthly Magazine for the parishes of Barton-le-Cley, Clophill, Flitton and Greenfield, Gravenhurst, Silsoe, Westoning, August 1915 [P21/30/17]

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[1] While it is not possible to positively identify him, a search of Ancestry suggests that he is most likely to be the Edwin James Hand who was baptised in Bristol in 1881. 

News from the Villages

Clapham Road Infants School class celebrates Empire Day, 1906 [Z912/21(18)]

Monday 7th June 1915: News from theVillages

Barton-le-Clay

A tea was given last month for the Belgian refugees of the district. About fifty, with friends, attended. As it was a fine day there were various pastimes in the gardens and the afternoon ended with a concert by the brass band. A vote of thanks was given by Mr. C. Marien, who gave a graphic description of their flight from Antwerp and the trials they had undergone on their way to England. He hoped that when the Germans have been evicted the band would come to Antwerp and take part in the celebrations. As the village correspondent says “how extraordinary it seems to write the above. If anyone had predicted a year ago that we should have been entertaining Belgian refugees at Barton, it would have seemed incredible”.

Clophill

The Cricket Club has decided to not play regular fixtures this season due to the war, though it is hoped that some scratch games may be arranged with so many soldiers around. Bert Royston, who has often helped the village team, went to the Front with the Canadian Scottish and has been taken prisoner.

Flitton and Greenfield

As the school was closed for Whitsuntide on Empire Day, May 24th, the children celebrated it early on Friday 21st. Prizes were given out by the Vicar, there were songs and flag-waving and a speech given by Miss Leach. Each child brought in one penny in order to send tobacco, chocolate and other comforts to our soldiers and sailors who are “fighting the greatest fight for honour and freedom the world has ever known.”.

Gravenhurst

The children of Gravenhurst also celebrated Empire Day on 21st May, when they saluted the flag, sang the National Anthem, and marched into the schoolroom singing patriotic songs. They were then given a half-day holiday.

Silsoe

Eggs are still being collected weekly for the wounded soldiers at Wrest Hospital and delivered to the hospital every Thursday by the Misses Jones. The eggs are much appreciated but they are currently being provided by only a small number of people and an appeal has been made for more parishioners to donate. The authorities at Wrest say they can make good use of as many eggs as the village can send them. Every little helps, even one egg a week!

Westoning

Forty three men who are either from this parish or closely connected with it have now joined the armed forces. Sergeant G. Gazely has been at the Front since the  beginning of the war and has now been wounded for a second time. 

Source: Monthly Magazine for the parishes of Barton-le-Cley, Clophill, Flitton and Greenfield, Gravenhurst, Silsoe, Westoning, June 1915 [P21/30/17]

News from the Villages

Old Parish Church, Clophill [Z50/31/83]

Sunday 6th December 1914

Barton-le-Clay

After a six week wait for news of her husband Private Thomas Martin of the 3rd Beds Regiment, Mrs Martin received a letter stating that he was prisoner in Germany. He is in good health but in need of socks. The mother of George King of the 9th Lancers was notified that her son is ill in a convalescent camp, suffering from an abscess in the neck. George was one of the first to go out when the war began. A. Nichols, H. Ashby and F. Peck have returned to England wounded.

Thanks have been received for the cigarettes sent to the front by Mrs F.Timms. F.Baker  of the 1st Beds writes: “Imagine how thankfully the cigarettes were received by us all lying in newly dug trenches for days at a time, defending the dear old country and flag from the inhuman Germans”.

Mr Cocks has lent Red Barns house to provide a temporary home for a Belgian family. Generous gifts of money and loans of household goods have been received, but bedding and some kind of floor covering are needed. If the house is not needed for a family, the money given will be sent to help the starving Belgians still remaining in their own country.

Gravenhurst

A meeting was held in the Village Hall to consider how to provide for a few Belgian refugees. Mr Barnes has offered one of his cottages rent free. The village is to be canvassed for weekly subscriptions, and loans of furniture, crockery and other necessary items will be requested later.

Westoning

A cottage has been offered for the use of Belgian refugees by Mr Leathes and furniture promised. A Concert in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund was given in the New Schools to a packed audience. Special thanks go to the soldiers of the 4th and 5th  Gordons and Bute Artillery who came over from Bedford and gave their services for such a good cause.

Clophill

£12.13s was collected in Clophill Church in response to the appeal for the Belgians, “our noble allies who have literally saved Europe”. If Belgian Refugees are to come here it will be used to help them, otherwise it will be sent to The Daily Telegraph Fund. Mrs Matthews has been learning toy-making to teach the girls. The end of the German toy trade with this country leaves a splendid opportunity for a new industry in country areas. For the time being Mrs Matthews intends to teach the girls of the Girls’ Club during Club nights so that they, along with those who are making babies’ clothing,  will be able to help the “poor little homeless, often fatherless, Belgian babies” who have been brought here for safety.

Silsoe

A collection of clothing has been made and sent to one of the Secretaries of the Belgian Relief Fund who responded with thanks to Miss Elsie B Jones of Silsoe House saying “the distress is at present most acute in Holland where so many of my poor compatriots have found shelter. I am sending out clothing both to Rotterdam and Flushing for distribution among these poor people, many of whom have lost all they possessed”. The members of the Girls’ Friendly Society are still busy knitting socks, gloves and mittens for our soldiers and many have been sent to the various depots.

Wrest House has been transformed from a Convalescent Home into a base Hospital and some far more serious cases of wounded soldiers have been admitted, many coming practically straight from the front. The wards are bright and clean and well lighted. Wonderful cheerfulness is displayed on all sides, even by those obviously suffering considerable pain. Their gratitude is most touching.

Source: Monthly Magazine for the parishes of Barton-le-Cley, Clophill, Flitton and Greenfield, Gravenhurst, Silsoe, Westoning, December 1914 [P21/30/16]

News from the Villages

Image: Ampthill tunnels, c.1910 [Z50/1/150]

Sunday 1st November 1914

Barton

Vegetables, fruit and eggs sent for the Harvest Festival have been divided between the National Hospital (London) and the patients at Wrest Park. Mrs Frederick Timms has collected £6 12s 9d with which she has purchased material for making eighteen nightshirts, two dozen handkerchiefs, one dozen blankets, and some knitted cuffs. She has also raised sufficient funds to supply 2,000 cigarettes and 10 ounces of tobacco.[1] Five blankets have been given which will be sent for the Bedfordshire Regiment. The Reverend C Charlesworth gave a lecture on the war in the Manor School to a packed audience which raised £5 towards the Belgian Relief Fund.

Gravenhurst

Two pairs of field glasses have been bought with money donated by parishioners in response to an appeal by Field Marshall Earl Roberts. Fourteen thousand field glasses have been provided following the publication of pictures in the Daily Mail showing that German sentries had field glasses while British sentries did not.

Westoning

Some of the men away training have returned home on short leave. Mr Peppiatt, who was present at the taking of Antwerp has been back for a few days to see his wife and children. Herbert W F Higgs, the eldest son of Mr and Mrs William Higgs, has enlisted in the Naval Air Section and will be stationed at Sheerness. He had previously worked for Mr Grimmer at Ampthill, for the General Omnibus Company, and at the Motor Works, Luton.

Flitton and Greenfield

So far there has been no shortage of food, and it is hoped that parishioners realise how much they owe to the ceaseless vigilance of the Navy. Lantern views and war slides on Germany will be shown on November 4th and on Belgium on November 18th. Socks are being knitted for soldiers by the girls of Greenfield School, and £1 15s 0d has been collected in the parish for a Wool Fund.

Clophill

The Scouts have been withdrawn from guarding the Ampthill Tunnel and are mounting guard at the Waterworks every evening. This will be much more convenient, especially as the Authorities are supplying shelter and fire. The Council are to issue special War Badges to all scouts who do a certain amount of public duty during the war. “Nearly every one of our boys have already earned the Badge. Why not all? Buck up the few slackers.”

Silsoe

Captain Lumley Jones, of the 2nd Essex Regiment, has been made a Member of the Legion of Honour, one of the highest distinctions the French Government and War Office have to grant, reserved for those who have performed a conspicuous act of bravery.[2] It is not yet known what feat won Captain Jones this honour.  Only a few days earlier he had been mentioned in dispatches by Sir John French.

Source: Source: Monthly Magazine for the parishes of Barton-le-Cley, Clophill, Flitton and Greenfield, Gravenhurst, Silsoe, Westoning, November 1914 [P21/30/16]

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[1] A letter of thanks to Mrs Timms of Barton was printed in the Luton News of 5.11.1914.

[2] Captain Lumley Owen Williames Jones is commemorated on the Winchester College At War website. He died of pneumonia brought on by influenza in September 1918 and is commemorated on the Silsoe war memorial. His parents and sisters were living in Silsoe in 1914.

News from the Villages

Members of Wrest Park Fire Brigade, Silsoe, c.1910 [Z50/142/785]

Sunday 4th October 1914

Barton

Today’s Harvest Festival is to be limited to just the Sunday Services. The Rector believes is “it is altogether unseemly to have social teas, football matches, meetings, decorations, and the like, when so many from our country – and even from our own village – are suffereing all the hardships of this cruel war so unhappily thrust upon us, and besides this, I don’t think any right minded sympathetic person would care to join in anything of that sort.”  Barton already has twenty five men serving in the army, with six of them at the front, and five more recruits have volunteered. This is more than half the number of eligible men in the village.

Gravenhurst

The Rector thanks those who responded to his invitation to send fruit, eggs and tobacco to the 66 sick and wounded at Wrest House. He considers it a privilege to help these men who have bravely fought to keep the Germans from turning England into a second Belgium. The war work party meet at the Rectory every Tuesday afternoon and have already sent six night shirts to the headquarters in London. They are now working on bed jackets, night shirts, day shirts and socks. Miss Julia Smith, from London, gave a lecture in the Village Hall on “What we are fighting for” and “what we are up against”. In her view the cause of the war was solely the Militarism of the leaders of the German Empire. Those unable to go to the front were urged to give some money towards the war effort weekly, and to “pray without ceasing”. Eight men from the village are now serving in the forces.

Clophill

The Harvest Thanksgiving in Clophill is also to be kept as plain as possible, with donations of fruit and vegetables to be given to the poor who need them this year more than ever. Thirty Clophill men are already serving their country, four in the navy and the rest in the army. The Scouts are helping the police to guard the Ampthill Tunnel and to keep open the Midland Main Line. The boys have been punctual and willing and have earned the cordial praises of the police and railway men. The Rector and Sidney Daniels have been enrolled as special constables and help to guard the tunnel by night. “The work is not always pleasant as no shelters are provided and one can get uncommonly wet in four hours. It is rather monotonous too, without even the excitement of a German spy.”

Westoning

Thirteen men from the village have left for the army, either as Reservists or Recruits.

Flitton and Greenfield

Lantern views on the countries at war and war slides are being shown in the Parish Room at 7pm on alternate Wednesdays. A collection is made at the door with the aim of purchasing a few army blankets. The first meeting raised eleven shillings. The next meetings will look at France (7th October) and Russia (21st October).

Silsoe

The wounded soldiers quartered at Wrest are welcomed for a Church Parade each Sunday. A concrete tank holding 3,500 gallons has been installed at the village school to collect rain water. This can be pumped into a cistern in the boys’ lobby for use by the school (where washing facilities have until now been primitive) and can also be used by the Wrest Park Fire Brigade. Eight Regulars and six Territorials are serving their King and Country, and have been joined by four new recruits.

Source: Monthly Magazine for the parishes of Barton-le-Cley, Clophill, Flitton & Greenfield, Gravenhurst, Silsoe, Westoning, October 1914 [P21/30/16]

Walking Wounded

Luton Town Football Team 1908-1909 [Z1306/74/21/5]

Saturday 26th September 1914, Luton: Soldiers wounded at the battle of Mons last month are now recovering at Wrest Park, the mansion of Lord Lucas at Silsoe which is being used as a military hospital. A number of the wounded were taken to see the football match between Luton Reserves and Gillingham Reserves today.  Most had an arm in a sling or a bandaged foot – some had to wear slippers as they could not get their feet into boots. They said that nearly all the wounds had been caused by shrapnel. When asked one what war was like one soldier replied "there is only one word – hell".

Source: Luton News 1/10/1914

An Unfortunate Motorcar Accident

Wrest House (South Front), c.1914 [Z1130/104/1/20]

14th September 1914, Wrest Park: About sixty convalescents recovering from injuries they sustained during the Battle of Mons have already arrived at  Lord Lucas’s house at Wrest Park, which has been converted into a hospital for soldiers. Some of the Red Cross nurses who have been sent to Wrest were involved in an unfortunate accident yesterday evening. They were given permission to take one of Lord Lucas’s cars for a spin and took a corner badly near the village of Haynes. The car overturned, leaving the driver with a broken arm and the passengers with injured heads. A motor omnibus taking a group of soldiers from Bedford to Shefford stopped at the scene to help and the injured nurses were taken to Shefford. They were well enough to return to Wrest but the car was badly damaged.

Source: Luton News 18/9/1914