Soldiers and Sailors of Old Warden

Cottage at Old Warden [Z50/129/24]

Friday 8th January 1914:  Some of the Old Warden men serving in the Forces were able to come home for a few days at Christmas and are said to be looking fit and well. All the village men serving at home or abroad were happy to receive a Christmas gift of a tobacco pouch and chocolates from Mrs Campbell of Old Warden Park. Half the money raised by carol singing in the village was sent to the British Soldiers Tobacco Fund and the remainder to the Waifs and Strays Society.

Five more names have been added to the Old Warden roll of honour. These include Herbert Vintner who has returned from seven years in Australia as a reservist in the Royal Horse Artillery and Clifford Newton who is on H. M. Telegraphic Ship “Monarch”. He has been on the ship in the North Sea and around the Orkneys since the war began. She has now come under Admiralty Orders and those serving on her are on the Active Service lists.

Sadly Mr and Mrs William Bryant have been informed of the death of their son Alfred, who was killed in action on 19th December while serving with the Highland Light Infantry. A sergeant in the Regiment writes that “he was an excellent soldier, and his death is greatly lamented by all who knew him”. Private Bryant joined the Army seven years ago and spent most of that time in India. At the outbreak of war he went to France with the Indian troops. He had hoped to obtain a few days’ leave soon.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard 8th January 1914

[1] Alfred Bryant was the son of William and Emma Bryant of Warren Lodge, Old Warden. He is buried at Brown’s Road Military Cemetery at Festubert in the Pas de Calais.