tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12419836881955736562024-03-06T19:59:29.798+00:00Bedfordshire At War: The Home Front<b>BEDFORDSHIRE AT WAR: News from the Home Front</b> <small><small>Image (c) artist Hugh Byrne, Shop33 and SNAP</small></small>Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.comBlogger1050125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-49733015290748422482018-12-31T07:00:00.000+00:002018-12-31T07:00:01.213+00:00The End <br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">After more than four years
this blog has reached the end of its journey through the First World War in
Bedfordshire. We hope that our readers have enjoyed following the journey with
us, and that it will serve as a record for the future of the experiences of the
county on the Home Front. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The final event of our commemoration
of the First World War will be Remembering the Fallen, an exhibition in the
reception area of Bedfordshire Archives. This will run from Friday 11th January
until Wednesday 3rd April, and will look at war memorials in the county,
ranging from the typical stone structures and memorial plaques to memorial
halls and other public amenities. Entry is free during Bedfordshire Archives’
normal opening hours.</span></div>
Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-975833923839286632018-12-28T07:00:00.000+00:002018-12-28T07:00:03.450+00:00Bedford Soldier Describes Experiences in Germany<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
‘Black Hole’, Lille (Fort MacDonald)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">[Imperial
War Museum <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/17474" target="_blank">Art.IWM ART 3760</a> reproduced under <a href="http://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright/licence" target="_blank">IWM Non Commercial Licence</a>]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Saturday
28th December 1918:</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Men who have returned to Bedfordshire after
spending time<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as prisoners of war in
Germany have been telling of their experiences. Corporal Sydney Beddall of the
Bedfordshire Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Beddall of 49 Park Road,
Kempston arrived back last week after spending nearly twenty months in
captivity. He was taken prisoner in April 1916 during the battle of Vimy Ridge
and was sent to Fort McDonald, which has been described by other prisoners as
the ‘Black Hole of Lille’. He spent only five days there but witnessed
appalling conditions. Over one hundred prisoners were packed into a single
cell, leaving them no room to turn round and with only a small hole near the
roof for ventilation. It was “indescribably dirty and verminous”,and impossible
to lie down due to lack of space; sanitary arrangements were “shocking”. The
prisoners were allowed out for five minutes’ exercise once a day, and their
died consisted of half a slice of black bread each day, with a quantity of
mangold wurzels, sliced and partly boiled in water but inedible, with the
liquid from the vegetables all they had to drink. During his time there three
fellow prisoners died. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Corporal Beddall was then
sent to Marquion near Cambrai, where the prisoners were put to work clearing
away German ammunition dumps and railway lines as the British advanced. They
were “practically worked to death, and more than half starved”, starting work
between 3 and 4 a.m. and continuing until late in the evening. As the British
advanced the prisoners were moved back to Devain, where they received their
first bath. Corporal Beddall was then told that as a non-commissioned officer
he was not obliged to work and that he may be transferred to an easier camp,
but was unable to get further information. He deliberately opened a superficial
wound on one of his fingers, leading to blood poisoning and admittance to
hospital where treatment was better. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">After he was discharged he
was transferred to Dulmen Camp, where the state to which Germany had been
reduced was obvious. The Germans were in a state of semi-starvation, and
children would come round the barbed wire enclosure and beg biscuits from
prisoners who had received a parcel from England. The Germans would also give
almost anything for a tablet of soap. The camp was “filthy beyond description”,
and the prisoners were put with Russian prisoners who were infected with
typhus. Parcels sent by Prisoners of War Associations in England were extremely
welcome, especially those received from the Bedfordshire Prisoners of War Fund.
He was next sent to Cottbus, where rumours that the war would soon end meant
that the prisoners received better treatment and were allowed more freedom.
When news of the Armistice arrived the men were told they were free to leave. A
party of 750 prisoners were sent to Altdamm on the way to Stetting. The camp
was filthy and verminous, with no blankets for the men. They refused to stay
there and rushed the gates; 1400 men marched to Stettin, from where they were
taken to Copenhagen and embarked for Hull.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Bedfordshire Standard, 28th December 1918</span></i></div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-27748850885822599662018-12-25T07:00:00.000+00:002018-12-25T07:00:10.608+00:00A Subdued Christmas<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Leighton Buzzard Post
Office, Church Square c.1915 [Z1306/72/3/5]<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Wednesday
25th December 1918: </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Christmas is being celebrated very quietly in
Leighton Buzzard. The loss of so many men since last Christmas, and the absence
of so many other still with the Armed Forces, has dampened spirits. The bells
of All Saints Church have been rung every evening this week, a welcome sound
after previous Christmases when the bells were silenced. There are relatively
few visitors in the town and, unusually in recent times, very few</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">soldiers in the streets. At Leighton Buzzard railway station there has been slightly more passenge</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">r traffic than last year, but considerably less parcels traffic, most
of the usual contents of Christmas hampers being either rationed or
unobtainable. The shopkeepers have been busy this week, and there has been a
revival in the use of Christmas cards, making work for the staff of the Post
Office. The mail on Monday of last week was one of the largest in bulk ever
sent from Leighton Buzzard, with eleven letter bags despatched on the evening
mail train.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Leighton Buzzard Observer, 31st December 1918</span></i></div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-4773398526767339172018-12-22T07:00:00.000+00:002018-12-22T07:00:01.135+00:00Dunstable Man Killed in German Prison Camp<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">High
Street North, Dunstable c.1910 [Z1306/36/8/8]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sunday
22nd December 1918: </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A fellow prisoner reports that Private James
Baxter, the husband of a Dunstable woman, was murdered at the end of September
by a guard at the German prison camp where he was held at Freiburg. Private F.
Bungay of the North Staffordshire Regiment reports that “While we were working
the guard yelled out to Baxter, who, having a slight cold, did not hear at
once, but he afterwards started to run, and being weak from want of food,
stumbled at the bank. The guard then went forward and beat him with the butt of
his rifle, and then shot him through the back, the bullet reaching his heart.
It was awful to see a chum murdered in cold blood like that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Private Bungay hid behind
some bushes and saw the guard leave to give the alarm and fetch the doctor.
While the guard was gone he took out Baxter’s pocket book to get his address;
he found a photo of Baxter with a child but had to put it back again. The
affair was hushed up and guard claimed he killed Baxter in self-defence, but
Bungay insists this was a lie as Baxter had his back to the guard. Private
James Stewart, who has just returned to his home in Perth, says that when he
arrived at Freiburg soon after the matter was being widely talked about at the
camp; a number of prisoners told him that Baxter had been set upon by the
guards after being accused of picking and eating blackberries he was gathering
for the Germans to make tea from. Pioneer Baxter served his apprenticeship as a
lithographer in Dundee, but joined up at Bedford in August 1917. He leaves a
widow, the daughter of Mr. J. H. Proverbs of High Street North, Dunstable, and
a young son.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Leighton Buzzard Observer, 24th December 1918</span></i></div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-79454764607578016582018-12-18T07:00:00.000+00:002018-12-18T07:00:02.074+00:00Serbian Relief Appeal<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Old Leighton Buzzard Library
(formerly Temperance Hall, now Lecton House), Lake Street, 1956
[Z1432/2/1/23/64]<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Wednesday
18th December 1918:</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> We have reported on several occasions the
work being carried out by the Leighton Buzzard War Hospital Supply Depot, most
recently in February when the Secretary <a href="https://bedshomefront.blogspot.com/2018/02/thanks-for-leighton-buzzard-war.html" target="_blank">received a letter of thanks</a> from the
Edmonton Military Hospital</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.
The women of the town have been asked to continue their splendid work, this
time for the benefit of the Serbian Relief Fund. Two women from the Belgravia
Workrooms, the Central War Hospital Supply Depot, have addressed a meeting at
the Temperance Hall where they congratulated Leighton Buzzard on sending the
best needlework of any depot. They trusted the town would not fail now when
their efforts were so badly needed by Britain’s Serbian allies. One worker who
had kept a hospital and a soup kitchen going in Belgrade for 3½ years had
reported that everything had been deliberately broken up by the Austrians. The
work of reconstruction specially entrusted to England was the care of returned
prisoners of war and the provision of hospitals. This had persuaded them to
extend the work the Supply Depots had done during the War. They hoped that
Leighton Buzzard workers would continue to help “as a thank offering for having
been spared the horrors of invasion”.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Leighton Buzzard Observer, 17th December 1918</span></i></div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-30755466065731482512018-12-15T07:00:00.000+00:002018-12-15T07:00:06.086+00:00Ideas for a War Memorial<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Linslade
War Memorial, c.1920 [Z1306/74/2/3]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sunday
15th December 1918:</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Now that the War has come to an end,
consideration is being given to appropriate ways to commemorate both those who
lost their lives in the conflict, and those who served in the Armed Forces. The
Vicar of Linslade has been thinking over this matter, and has written the
following piece for this month’s parish magazine:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“When
we have got over the next excitement of the Election we must try to settle down
again, and prepare a welcome for our returning soldiers and sailors. We shall
also have to think about plans for a suitable memorial to those who have given
up their lives for us. Before this appears in print I shall have consulted the
Church Council on the subject. I suppose that whatever general memorial is set
up we shall think it right to have one also in the Parish Church, which is the
only large public building in the place, and I think there ought also to be a
permanent Roll of Honour, with the names of all those from the parish who have
served in the Army, Navy, or Air Force. What forms these memorials shall take
must be carefully considered, and I shall be glad to receive suggestions to
submit to the Church Council.”</span></blockquote>
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Leighton Buzzard Observer 17th December 1918</span></i><br />
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-4956897097019219942018-12-12T07:00:00.000+00:002018-12-12T07:00:03.125+00:00Bedford Soldier Dies of Flu in France<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YQ6fPkNKDOgDLrbYrOAK-4UZtpoi162h5-debUq46RlsKdtEjWZ96ZjBJtlAI2op4zKaRGRhyE7_EPx9m_HxALAYafAWwsgYt4dUywXRvlM2_1v16rgrT0TPvUX6cEFoRMxiDo58u5G6/s1600/1918+%2528Dec%2529+Bedford+Town+Hall+Z1306-10-58-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YQ6fPkNKDOgDLrbYrOAK-4UZtpoi162h5-debUq46RlsKdtEjWZ96ZjBJtlAI2op4zKaRGRhyE7_EPx9m_HxALAYafAWwsgYt4dUywXRvlM2_1v16rgrT0TPvUX6cEFoRMxiDo58u5G6/s1600/1918+%2528Dec%2529+Bedford+Town+Hall+Z1306-10-58-6.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Old
Town Hall, St. Paul’s Square, Bedford 1904 [Z1306/10/58/6]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Thursday
12th December 1918: </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Mr. and Mrs. Walter Grant of Rose Mount,
Clapham Road, Bedford, have received the sad news their son Charles Alfred
Richard Grant has died in France of pneumonia brought on by influenza. He
joined a Mechanical Transport Company of the Army Service Corps in 1915, served
for three years without being wounded, and was expected home for Christmas. An
old boy of Bedford Modern School, he was an expert swimmer and played regularly
for the Bedford Rugby Football “A” team. After joining the Army he became
honorary secretary of the Mechanical Transport Rugby Club and arranged a match
against an Australian XV which raised a large sum for the Lewisham Red Cross
Society. Before the war he worked for nine years as assistant auditor in the
Finance Department of the Bedford Corporation. In a letter of sympathy the Town
Clerk writes:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“By his death the
Corporation have lost a good and faithful servant, and I a valued friend. His
work at the Town Hall left nothing to be desired. His painstaking, careful, and
accurate work stands recorded in the books of accounts at the Town Hall for
many years, while his courtesy, strict attention to his work, and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>his willingness to assist anyone who needed
help or advice endeared him to all in the office. His example was always for
good, and he maintained strictly the good reputation of the Town Hall staff.
Such a man will be hard to replace indeed. He will always be remembered by the
whole staff with affection and esteem.”</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">A memorial service will be
held for him at Holy Trinity Church this afternoon.</span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Bedfordshire Standard, 13th December 1918</span></i></div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-84553328379680087432018-12-09T07:00:00.000+00:002018-12-09T07:00:01.653+00:00Civilian Prisoner Returns from Germany<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeUNG1qtuxbVRIXTY8lpjXdLEUS_g3tYODXfzFCRgXmbe48bqXsuRWWw38N_SMTBtWnbbqU9TxE2Cx1RJsMcLR-SCwe75ft5Jegv_ZT6RWXRkgfwBecPZvee50zA6-94iZiLfHxchMjZu/s1600/1918+%2528Dec%2529+Ruhleben+Prison+Camp+%2528IWM%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="800" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeUNG1qtuxbVRIXTY8lpjXdLEUS_g3tYODXfzFCRgXmbe48bqXsuRWWw38N_SMTBtWnbbqU9TxE2Cx1RJsMcLR-SCwe75ft5Jegv_ZT6RWXRkgfwBecPZvee50zA6-94iZiLfHxchMjZu/s400/1918+%2528Dec%2529+Ruhleben+Prison+Camp+%2528IWM%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Ruhleben Prison Camp, 1917<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">[Imperial War Museum <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/14500" target="_blank">ART 522</a>
reproduced under <a href="http://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright/licence" target="_blank">IWM Non Commercial Licence</a>]</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Monday
9th December 1918: </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Cyril J. Hopkins, the son of Mr. J. B.
Hopkins of Broad Oak Farm, Leighton Buzzard, has returned home after spending four
years as a civilian prisoner at Ruhleben in Germany. When the War started Mr.
Hopkins was working in Berlin for electrical engineers A.E.G.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initially he was ordered to report to the city’s
principal gaol every third day. This continued until the end of October when
the head of A.E.G announced that he was receiving many anonymous letters
complaining that British employees were taking the bread out of the mouths of
Germans. The British workers were then dismissed without notice. On November
6th British people living in Germany were taken to the main prison at Alexander
Platz, a move which was claimed to be in retaliation for the internment of
Germans in Britain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">On the afternoon of the same
day he was sent by train to Ruhleben, where the prisoners were kept in
uncomfortable conditions in the racing stables. The beds were dirty, and some
were without blankets for months. Six men were crowded into each horse box, but
thanks to exchanges of prisoners with England this number eventually fell to
four. Food was at first provided by a Jewish caterer with an allowance of 6½d
per head, but this was soon reduced to a daily ration of one-fifth of a loaf of
heavy war bread, coffee without sugar or milk for breakfast, and thin potato soup
with a little meat in it for dinner. Sometimes there was also a piece of blood
sausage. Fortunately these meagre rations were supplemented by food parcels
from England. The camp was extremely cold, with poor heating only turned on for
short periods. In winter it was necessary either to walk about or to stay in
bed to keep warm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">English newspapers were
smuggled into the camp, and German newspapers were also available, leaving the
prisoners in a better position to judge the progress of the war than those at
home. They realised that German power was weakening, and that the morale of
German soldiers was low. Last winter the state of things in Germany became “almost
intolerable”. After the Armistice the former prisoners were taken by a “very
cold and dirty” train from Ruhleben to Sassnitz on the Baltic, where they were
handed over to the Danish Red Cross and taken to Copenhagen. When they reached
Leith in Scotland they were surprised by the “colossal” reception they
received. Like all repatriated prisoners, Mr. Hopkins feels a little bewildered
by the sudden change, and has no desire to see Germany again for a very long
time!</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Leighton Buzzard Observer 10th December 1918</span></i></div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-64969774003740522492018-12-06T07:00:00.000+00:002018-12-06T07:00:01.090+00:001st Leighton Buzzard Girl Guides<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZOEk1M4zp5ifdtmIxGso8Ym3rFssZkjX0zfatdgwvDh-cEa80IMiMCR_G9oE8HbcW8jqoN-0UcTtAdB9L5ulBqRdC_S5KZRLAONpJ-QJUs6oagJakxPyOGegzgptneaLJ1RmNDFjBCeO/s1600/1918+%2528Dec%2529+Laura+Lawson+Johnston+X698-9-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZOEk1M4zp5ifdtmIxGso8Ym3rFssZkjX0zfatdgwvDh-cEa80IMiMCR_G9oE8HbcW8jqoN-0UcTtAdB9L5ulBqRdC_S5KZRLAONpJ-QJUs6oagJakxPyOGegzgptneaLJ1RmNDFjBCeO/s320/1918+%2528Dec%2529+Laura+Lawson+Johnston+X698-9-5.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Mrs Laura Lawson Johnston, Girl Guides County Commissioner [X698/9/5]</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Friday
6th December 1918:</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> The 1st Leighton Troop of the Girl Guides,
which was started in May by Mrs. Reeve of “Athelney”, Albany Road, has held its
first enrolment meeting in the Church Room at Leighton Buzzard. Thirty six
smart and enthusiastic guides paraded before the County Commissioner and the
District Commissioner for North Bedfordshire, giving a well-trained and
disciplined display of drill and marching. Unfortunately the proceedings were
disrupted by the bad behaviour of a number of children who live near the hall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The officers of the troop
were formally invested with badges and colours by the County Commissioner, Mrs.
Lawson Johnston. The newly enrolled Captain W. Flemming in turn enrolled two
patrol leaders and two corporals. The company sang songs, demonstrated marches
and dances, and signalled a greeting to the County Commissioner – who confessed
that despite the best efforts of her daughter to teach her she had not managed
to learn to read signals. In an address to the Girl Guides she reminded them
that they had a great responsibility, especially the older girls, to help to
train their younger sisters to be good girls and good citizens. She asked them
to maintain the very high standard they had set themselves as Guides, and to
show people who knew nothing about the work what it meant to be a Guide by
their behaviour. She ended by telling them to “always be jolly, but also
remember their responsibility and duty to their homes and their parents”.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Leighton Buzzard Observer, 10th December 1918</span></i></div>
Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-24852705691019238842018-12-03T07:00:00.000+00:002018-12-03T07:00:02.626+00:00Christmas Party for Fatherless Children<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sketch
of Waller Street public baths from Borough Engineer’s plan,</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">December
1910. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">During the winter the baths were boarded over to provide a Winter
Assembly Hall [X558/6/108/4]</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Tuesday
3rd December 1918:</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Although the War has ended, many local
people still have to live with its consequences. This is particularly true for
the families of those who paid the ultimate price. In order to bring a little
joy into the lives of Luton children who lost their fathers during the War a
special Christmas tea party is to be held for them. Mr Harold V. Hoy of the Ivy
Leaf Club in Park Street, Luton is appealing for mothers of children below
school age to send in the names of their children so that they can be issued
with tickets:</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I wonder if you would be so
good as to make it known in your columns that the Luton and District Discharged
Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Association are giving a tea and concert on December
23rd at the Winter Assembly Hall to the fatherless children of our fallen
brothers, and, if funds permit, a small present for each child. We have asked
the schools to help, by giving us a list of these children at school, but we
regret it does not cover the whole field. If the mothers of children who do not
attend school will send in their names to me I will add them to the list for
tickets to be sent to them.”</span></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Luton News, 5th December 1918</span></i></div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-65148601736627522018-11-28T07:00:00.000+00:002018-11-28T07:00:02.871+00:00News of More Casualties <br />
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Beaudesert Boys’ Council
School 1913 [Z50/72/21]<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Thursday
28th November 1918: </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Tragically the end of the War has not meant
the end of bad news for the families of soldiers. News of two men killed in the
very last days of the fighting has now reached Leighton Buzzard, along with confirmation
of the death of a third, and a report that a fourth man has died from the
effects of influenza. Private Leslie Johnson, the nephew of Mr. Thomas Munday
of Bridge Street, was killed on November 4th. He had worked in the Income Tax
Office, London, but took up farming owing to ill health and for a short time
was employed in the local area. He joined up at the age of just 17. His brother,
Charles Rowland Johnson, the son-in-law of Mr. Henry Chapman Furlong, was
killed in October 1917.[1] <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Private Tom Hyde of the
Middlesex Regiment was killed in action on 7th November, just four days before
the signing of the Armistice. The chaplain of his battalion has written to his
wife telling her that her husband was killed instantaneously by a shell and
suffered no pain. Private Hyde was the son of Mr. and Mrs William Hyde of East
Street, where his wife and child now live at number 28. Before joining up he
worked for Mr. W. G. Willis, builder. A year ago he was wounded in the knee,
and as the joint remained stiff he was sent to Ireland on garrison duty. During
the last “push” he was again sent out to France. He was 27 years of age, and a
member of the Leighton Buzzard Excelsior Band. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Private R. Miles of the 8th
Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, formerly a Trooper in the 17th
Lancers and the Bedfordshire Yeomanry, the son of Richard and Annie Miles - now
of Leighton Buzzard but previously of Wicken in Northamptonshire - had been
reported wounded and missing. He has now been officially reported killed. His
elder brother was seriously wounded on the Somme.[2] <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sapper Samuel Walter Stevens
of 12, Plantation Road, was serving with the Royal Engineers when he was
admitted to a casualty clearing station in France on 8th November. He died on
the 13th from pneumonia following influenza. Sapper Stevens was an old boy of
Beaudesert School and worked for Messrs. Adams and Whiting as a bricklayer
before joining the Army in 1915. After nine months’ service in France he was
operated on for appendicitis; he returned to France after recovering from the
surgery. He was 28 years old and leaves a wife and young daughter.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Leighton Buzzard Observer, 26th November 1918</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">[1] Charles Rowland Johnson
of the 1st Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment died on 17th October 1917,
aged 32. His wife, Jessie Frances Johnson, was living at 14 High Street,
Leighton Buzzard. His brother is listed by the Commonwealth War Graves
Commission as Martin Leslie Johnson, aged 19. In 1911 Charles Rowland Johnson
was living at 18 Bridge Street, Leighton Buzzard, with his uncle Thomas Henry
Munday and working for him as a jeweller’s assistant.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">[2] Apparently Reginald
Miles of the 8th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, whose death on 15th
October 1917 is recorded on the Tyne Cot Memorial.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-88270867046564521342018-11-25T07:00:00.000+00:002018-11-25T07:00:02.860+00:00Street Lighting<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVY-XIhAQsC2YtRbEaYu6klBZiifpPmR8Ssp0Hkj5A5ANoMUzinLdg8KCpJbxAM41azrV2ul4s83-9W_vCPTflXxijErLlVg9CmzrVlMHfAy_srD5RofiMh7Mxpo96FrorDpEgk9w4MJP/s1600/1918+%2528Nov%2529+Stags+Head+Linslade+Z50-74-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVY-XIhAQsC2YtRbEaYu6klBZiifpPmR8Ssp0Hkj5A5ANoMUzinLdg8KCpJbxAM41azrV2ul4s83-9W_vCPTflXxijErLlVg9CmzrVlMHfAy_srD5RofiMh7Mxpo96FrorDpEgk9w4MJP/s1600/1918+%2528Nov%2529+Stags+Head+Linslade+Z50-74-28.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Stags
Head Public House, with lamp post on corner of Old Road and Wing Road, Linslade
c.1906 [Z50/74/28]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Monday
25th November 1918:</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> The ability to raise window blinds while the
lights are lit is an unaccustomed pleasure to those who have been afraid of
prosecution for lighting offences for so long. Even before the Armistice was
signed preparations were being made to re-light the towns of Leighton Buzzard
and Linslade. The contract between Leighton Buzzard Urban District Council and
the Gas Company had been allowed to lapse during the War, and negotiations
towards a new agreement are progressing. It is anticipated it may take some
time before the lights there can be put back into working order. However, in
Linslade a fixed sum for the upkeep of the lamps was paid by the Council during
the war, and it has therefore been possible to get the lights back on more
quickly. Since last Friday Linslade residents have been enjoying the benefit of
lit street lamps, with around fifty per cent of the former number now back in
use.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Leighton Buzzard Observer, 19th and 26th November 1918</span></i></div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-63855298759546443572018-11-22T07:00:00.000+00:002018-11-22T07:00:05.508+00:00Relaxation of Food Control for Christmas<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4j-RoyzB9W6d43RlnOhx1zgEAXqt9itLF7Z9UGNmo6s3SO8ORNWi_ZeUHlTnNUEwr9RNLiFNGdvwyqDfejwXj0zYsPRFo8zwExdz_OqQTgIbmUN_9AtzxaaualznoCyMzVH5DtJgKumZr/s1600/1918+%2528Nov%2529+Yirrells+Linslade+Z50-74-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4j-RoyzB9W6d43RlnOhx1zgEAXqt9itLF7Z9UGNmo6s3SO8ORNWi_ZeUHlTnNUEwr9RNLiFNGdvwyqDfejwXj0zYsPRFo8zwExdz_OqQTgIbmUN_9AtzxaaualznoCyMzVH5DtJgKumZr/s1600/1918+%2528Nov%2529+Yirrells+Linslade+Z50-74-15.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">Yirrell’s butcher’s shop, Old Road, Linslade c.1900 [Z50/74/15]</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Friday
22nd November 1918:</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Although the War has now ended, the food
shortages it caused will take some time to resolve. However, the Ministry of
Food is trying to make it possible for people to celebrate Christmas on a much
larger scale this year than last. It has announced that during the week before
Christmas everyone will be able to obtain double the usual ration of butcher’s
meat, and double rations will be served in all restaurants; between December
16th and January 4th any amount of poultry and game can be purchased without coupons,
and it is hoped that there will be a good supply of turkeys. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Twenty thousand tons of
apples are expected to arrive imminently from Canada, and the price of fruit is
already considerably lower than it was last week thanks to the Ministry’s
pricing Order. The Ministry anticipates that a large supply of oranges will be
available before Christmas, and that there will also be a supply of nuts from
Spain. There is still a shortage of dried fruit; a distribution of currants,
raisins, and sultanas will be made over the next few weeks, averaging not more
than half a pound per person. It is also expected that loaves of white bread
will be available again by Christmas. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Bedfordshire Standard, 22nd November 1918</span></i></div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-60522979825682750582018-11-18T07:00:00.000+00:002018-11-18T07:00:08.546+00:00Appeal for Old Clothing for Belgians<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLYLNNSmy4p3Bpg5-jArEp_0ARNeArXWbQ2yw5shyYe8XI46jR6y_XduY0JeHGBI6pDhppKFByVBeoB7MdI0oFGhjB2jwt-wJGyab6AE3Z2DL58EhrQkm2shbe4A4vIfp-IOkOoI2r-A8/s1600/1918+%2528Nov%2529+20-22+Lake+Street+Jun+2008+CR-PH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLYLNNSmy4p3Bpg5-jArEp_0ARNeArXWbQ2yw5shyYe8XI46jR6y_XduY0JeHGBI6pDhppKFByVBeoB7MdI0oFGhjB2jwt-wJGyab6AE3Z2DL58EhrQkm2shbe4A4vIfp-IOkOoI2r-A8/s1600/1918+%2528Nov%2529+20-22+Lake+Street+Jun+2008+CR-PH.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">20-22
Lake Street, Leighton Buzzard 2008 [CR/PH]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Monday
18th November 1918:</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Back in March 1916 Charles Piron, a Belgian
refugee now living at 20, Lake Street, Leighton Buzzard, was able to secure the
donation of waterproofs for a friend serving in the Belgian army as a volunteer
</span><a href="https://bedshomefront.blogspot.com/2016/03/waterproofs-for-belgian-soldiers.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">https://bedshomefront.blogspot.com/2016/03/waterproofs-for-belgian-soldiers.html</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> .
He is now organising an appeal for old clothing to relieve the needs of his
compatriots in evacuated districts of Belgium. He writes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“May I thank the residents
of Leighton Buzzard and Linslade for their cordial initial response to my
appeal for old clothing for Belgians in the evacuated districts. I have already
been able to despatch two bales of clothing, and the donors may rest assured
that every article in those bundles will be used to relieve real and poignant
distress. The Girl Guides have promised to assist in the future collection. May
I therefore ask any person who can spare old clothing (including
underclothing), hats, boots or shoes, to send me a postcard, and I will do the
rest with the aid of the Girl Guides. If I could only make everyone understand
how terrible the need is, there would be a ransacking of wardrobes, I am sure,
in hundreds of homes. Nothing is too old, or too worn out.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Leighton Buzzard Observer, 19th November 1918</span></i></div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-3770259490761935802018-11-14T07:00:00.000+00:002018-11-14T07:00:00.358+00:00Joy Day at Queen's Engineering Works<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksIm7cMtLPo1QEzhG6NYOdkbSKzeaev_hzTMrRDHSU7GonW9uRzO5C2M7-BpBc5MTXMGKTRG6ONTz14b6hRkQO7uMShA_YfR7gqINSQUK3BbK37Ww0I6MX3GD0PRjyWKYTj7Bgt7A92u1/s1600/1918+%2528Nov%2529+W+H+Allen+Canteen+Staff+Z1306-10-6-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksIm7cMtLPo1QEzhG6NYOdkbSKzeaev_hzTMrRDHSU7GonW9uRzO5C2M7-BpBc5MTXMGKTRG6ONTz14b6hRkQO7uMShA_YfR7gqINSQUK3BbK37Ww0I6MX3GD0PRjyWKYTj7Bgt7A92u1/s1600/1918+%2528Nov%2529+W+H+Allen+Canteen+Staff+Z1306-10-6-23.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Canteen
staff at W. H. Allen’s Engineering Works, Bedford 1918 [Z1306/10/6/23]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Wednesday
14th November 1918: </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Celebrations of the Armistice at Bedford were
marked by flags flying across the town, the ringing of church bells and the
closure of most of the town’s factories. One military band paraded through the
streets and another played near the Swan Hotel. Fireworks were let off in the
town both on Monday and Tuesday nights, when the crowd joined in a hearty
rendition of the Marseillaise in French accompanied by the Salvation Army band.
The main terms of the Armistice were posted in the window of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bedfordshire Times</i> on Monday evening,
evidence of the complete triumph of the Allies. At<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>8 p.m. an official thanksgiving service was
held in St. Paul’s Church<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">At W. H. Allen’s <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Queen’s Engineering Works a “joy day” is being
held today. The Works is decorated with the flags of all the Allies, together
with a huge Union Jack. This morning saw a ladies’ football match, followed by
a match between the Works and Queen’s Park Rangers, and this evening a social
and dance will be held in the ladies’ dining room at the Works.</span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Bedfordshire Standard, 15th November 1918</span></i></div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-31014454110441625172018-11-12T07:00:00.000+00:002018-11-12T07:00:03.273+00:00The Dawn of Peace<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjXEKrDnxeBltlVM0cKzvJGuR5Cs-l7c9edkwzyMvwhlZf2v3B8Bj2En6G7ZbOAQui7oHeIjq6Eejks0_JlA2hzdC-epdKjNDqmtm3SvHRwcRaOA9xsk7aHGcQS6ujv7R9FHM6eX-hDlA/s1600/1918+%2528Nov%2529+St+Marys+Luton+Z1306-75-3-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="289" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjXEKrDnxeBltlVM0cKzvJGuR5Cs-l7c9edkwzyMvwhlZf2v3B8Bj2En6G7ZbOAQui7oHeIjq6Eejks0_JlA2hzdC-epdKjNDqmtm3SvHRwcRaOA9xsk7aHGcQS6ujv7R9FHM6eX-hDlA/s1600/1918+%2528Nov%2529+St+Marys+Luton+Z1306-75-3-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">St.
Mary’s Church, Luton c.1905-10 [Z1306/75/3/2]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Tuesday
12th 1918:</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> The news of the Armistice arrived at Luton yesterday
morning in time for special newspaper editions to hit the streets soon after
eleven o’clock. At 11.10 the Mayor appeared on the balcony of the Town
Hall<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and announced the signing of the
armistice and the cessation of hostilities to rousing cheers. The National
Anthem was sung, followed by a verse of the hymn “Praise God from Whom all blessings
flow” and a rousing “three cheers”. By noon the main streets were filled with
“shouting, smiling, joyful people”, undeterred by the rain. The local
authorities met and announced the withdrawal of lighting restrictions, and by
evening the town was a blaze of light. Services were arranged at all the
churches and bands played outside the Town Hall, in Park Square, and at the
Volunteer Club. The streets remained packed with people until midnight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Today has been declared a
public holiday and a civic service of thanksgiving was held this morning at the
Old Parish Church, attended by the Mayor and Corporation along with
representatives of all the public bodies in the town. The largest civic
procession seen in Luton took place from the Town Hall to St. Mary’s, passing
along streets lined with crowds. During the service the King’s message to the
Services was read to the congregation by the Mayor. A collection was taken for
St. Dunstan’s Hostel for the Blind, and the service closed with a blessing from
the Vicar and the National Anthem.</span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Luton News,14th November 1918</span></i></div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-33387286865752859702018-11-11T07:00:00.000+00:002018-11-11T07:00:07.066+00:00The War is Over!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUhqSo6085vsV-Av3sIJ3ZNbTTjJJxMswtoYgGmiEG4iAVjMYHHVBHjOcVwYWIP5SSV2V5t4lrUNkriQ5GhupEPoULf5ZsVzVms9Ogsy572a1oPSueo9UWiOfBXzEcmECDHFNUoj1et3A/s1600/1918+%2528Nov%2529+1st+War+Memorial+Z50-72-131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUhqSo6085vsV-Av3sIJ3ZNbTTjJJxMswtoYgGmiEG4iAVjMYHHVBHjOcVwYWIP5SSV2V5t4lrUNkriQ5GhupEPoULf5ZsVzVms9Ogsy572a1oPSueo9UWiOfBXzEcmECDHFNUoj1et3A/s1600/1918+%2528Nov%2529+1st+War+Memorial+Z50-72-131.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Leighton Buzzard’s First War
Memorial, 11 November 1919 [Z50/72/131]<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Monday
11th November 1918: </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The War is over! After
premature reports of victory last week people seemed afraid to believe the news
that the Armistice had been signed, and there is a sense not just of
celebration but also of bewilderment that this day is one of such momentous importance.
The crowds who have turned out to celebrate in Leighton Buzzard and Linslade
have been quite modest. The War has taken a heavy toll on both towns, with many
dead and many more still serving overseas. Among those left at home the
munition workers “mafficked”, Morgan’s Band played in between bouts of rain,
and the Church Lads’ Brigade Bugle Band has been out in the streets. Union
Jacks are flying, although a surprising number of people seem unaware of the
correct way to fly the flag, with many hanging upside down. At All Saints
Church in Leighton Buzzard and in all the villages around bells are ringing out
the good news, although many of the ringers are novices with rather more
enthusiasm than skill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The chief feeling in the
towns has been of relief and thankfulness. Services of thanksgiving have been
attended by large numbers, many of them not regular churchgoers. At All Saints
Church a packed congregation was present at a shortened<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>version of Evensong which ended with the hymn
‘Now thank we all our God’, a verse of God Save the King, and the Marseillaise.
The Vicar, Reverend G. F. Hills gave a short address based on the words from 2
Kings, 9:17, “Is it peace?”, ending with the hope that the returning men would
find a different and better world. At St. Barnabas Church in Linslade a
spontaneous service of thanksgiving was attended by the special constables, the
Church Lads Brigade, and people of all religious persuasions. Services have
also been held at Hockliffe Street Baptist Chapel and the Wesleyan Methodist
Church.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Leighton Buzzard Observer 19th November 1918</span></i></div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-87398312265159129542018-11-08T07:00:00.000+00:002018-11-08T07:00:00.900+00:00Luton Medical Services Overwhelmed by Influenza<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Bute
Hospital, Luton 1914 [Z1130/75/5/2]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Friday
8th November 1918: </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Luton has also been hit by the influenza
epidemic, leaving local doctors utterly overwhelmed by the large number of
cases. All those doctors who have not themselves been taken ill are working
from early morning until late at night to cope with crowded surgeries and are
able to do no more than issue medicine and general advice. The Luton Medical
Officer, Dr. Cox is concerned that this epidemic seems more virulent than the
previous one, with more complications brought about by the illness. This has
led to an increase in the number of deaths from about twenty a week ago to a
total of fifty, all of them adults. Although the effects appear to be less serious
in children the schools have all been closed and are likely to remain so for
the time being. Restrictions on churches and places of amusement have also been
introduced in an attempt to reduce opportunities for infection. About 600
workers have been absent from George Kent’s and about 200 from the Diamond
Works due to the illness, but it is hoped that the spread of the disease in
industrial establishments has been halted and matters are improving. Dr, Cox
has also expressed a belief that the epidemic has now reached its peak and that
the number of new cases is falling.</span><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Luton News, Source: Luton News, 24th October and 7th November 1918</span></i></div>
Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-81055723619364133902018-11-05T07:00:00.000+00:002018-11-05T07:00:08.526+00:00Luton Soldier Killed While Waiting for Leave<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 21px;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 21px;">A float by the Davis Gas Stove Co. Ltd., Diamond Foundry, taking part in the <st1:place w:st="on">Luton</st1:place> Peace Day parade on 19th July 1919 [Z1306/75/19/19]</i></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Tuesday
5th November 1918: </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">The parents of Sapper William H. Trotter have
received the following letter informing them that their son had been killed as
he waited for a medical pass before coming home on leave:</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“He was granted leave on
October 7th, and proceeded to the medical station to pass the doctor and while
waiting there he was killed outright by a shell. He was buried the same day
where he fell, near Passchendaele. I can assure you that the loss of your son
is greatly felt by the whole of my company … A cross will be erected over his
grave by his comrades.”[1]</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Sapper Trotter was educated
at Surrey Street School in Luton and was employed at the Diamond Foundry before the War.
He was a member of the Mount Tabor Primitive Methodist Church, won
prizes for cross country running and was a member of the St. John Ambulance
Society. He volunteered to serve with the East Anglian Royal Engineers in April
1915 and went out to France in autumn 1917.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Luton News, 7th November 1918</span></i></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">[1] It would appear that
Sapper Trotter’s body was subsequently moved as he is now buried in the Tyne
Cot Cemetery at West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-1715362805488309082018-11-02T07:00:00.000+00:002018-11-02T07:00:03.705+00:00Father and Son Flu Deaths<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVI3uEcrtIKtkw5QELnxHHKid15B_0D6QpPnfdOnr0KtxmNaY8RUZQy31Y2av28lHZVnZ04dGYmBwPW-xUE3LEYnuZGWS6uG2Nh0J1Xg84aI83PcCGmw_JqHIqNmyOFlQvaNBQvITIyEJ/s1600/1918+%2528Nov%2529+New+Road+Linslade+Z1432-3-13-1-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVI3uEcrtIKtkw5QELnxHHKid15B_0D6QpPnfdOnr0KtxmNaY8RUZQy31Y2av28lHZVnZ04dGYmBwPW-xUE3LEYnuZGWS6uG2Nh0J1Xg84aI83PcCGmw_JqHIqNmyOFlQvaNBQvITIyEJ/s1600/1918+%2528Nov%2529+New+Road+Linslade+Z1432-3-13-1-4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">New
Road, Linslade c.1900 [Z1432/3/13/1/4]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Saturday
2nd November 1918: </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A Linslade father and son died from influenza
within hours of each other on Friday. William Robinson, aged 42, was taken ill
about three weeks ago, but returned to his work as a carter before he had fully
recovered and suffered a relapse. Meanwhile his son, William Leslie Robinson, had
also contracted the disease; he died just a few hours before his father. The
family’s youngest child is also gravely ill, and his mother has had to take to
her bed due to the stress of constant nursing. A fund to relieve the immediate
needs of the family has been opened.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Leighton Buzzard Observer, 5th November 1918</span></i></div>
Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-428005296817706422018-10-31T07:00:00.000+00:002018-10-31T07:00:02.761+00:00Influenza Causes Bedford Schools to Close<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Ampthill
Road School, Bedford 1922 [Z1306/9/2/14/1]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Tuesday
31st October 1918:</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> The outbreak of influenza in Bedford has
resulted in very poor attendance at local schools. By the middle of October as
many as 50 percent of pupils at the Queen’s Park and Goldington Road schools
were absent and all elementary schools in the town were closed. They
subsequently reopened but the situation is now so bad that they are to close
again from today and remain shut until November 11th. There is also
considerable sickness among the teachers, with at least seventeen now absent.
Some are reported to be very ill, and Mrs. Davis, a teacher at the Priory
Schools, has died. The Borough Education Committee has also asked that all
Sunday schools should be closed and that picture palaces should refuse
admission to children under the age of fourteen while the epidemic continues. Picture
palaces and theatres have also been put out of bounds for the troops. Dr.
Willmer Phillips, the School Medical Officer recommends that people get plenty
of fresh air and avoid going into stuffy places. Anyone feeling at all feverish
and then chilly should go straight to bed. Due to the epidemic the out-patients
department of the Bedford County Hospital has been closed until further notice.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Bedfordshire Standard, 18th October and 1st November 1918</span></i></div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-76674290936570367112018-10-29T07:00:00.000+00:002018-10-29T07:00:02.512+00:00Sailor Adrift in Red Sea for 101 Days<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6q9sBmYUOmvCixuGC2LQc8EppAGbgToW805hVNVRqBJN4oImZNuteeBGVqKEckATSmaNBzpEiPdZKqfadEP94JW4J2wXIM1FGiiORCQ4DB6iphYluekSv8P3q1S3CQ7BoJzpMFMS7qlWZ/s1600/1918+%2528Oct%2529+Perim_steamers+Wikimedia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="726" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6q9sBmYUOmvCixuGC2LQc8EppAGbgToW805hVNVRqBJN4oImZNuteeBGVqKEckATSmaNBzpEiPdZKqfadEP94JW4J2wXIM1FGiiORCQ4DB6iphYluekSv8P3q1S3CQ7BoJzpMFMS7qlWZ/s320/1918+%2528Oct%2529+Perim_steamers+Wikimedia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Steamers at Perim Harbour
c.1910 [<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Perim_steamers.jpg" target="_blank">Wiikimedia Commons</a>]</span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Tuesday
29th October 1918: </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">After fire broke out in the engine room of
his ship Second Engineer Edward Banks, the nephew of Abel Bunn of North Street,
Leighton Buzzard, spent 101 days adrift in the Red Sea. In a letter to his
uncle he describes the experience:</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“The fire in the stoke hole
burnt for six hours. After a struggle we managed to get it out, but that was
not the end of our trouble; the fire burnt a pipe from one of the sea cocks and
slowly filled the stoke hole and engine room with water. This put the damper on
us for getting steam from the main boilers, so we had to set to and convert the
donkey boiler (which is in ‘tween decks) from oil to coal. When we got this
finished there was 25 feet of water in the engine room, but after a struggle
and plenty of wading, about up to our necks in oil, fuel and water, we managed
to get one of the pumps going, and pumped the engine room and stoke hole dry.
What a mess things were in! We had to set to again and clean up a bit and to
get the fires away again. This took us about six days and we drifted 90 miles
out of the track of shipping and had some very narrow escapes of going on to
the rocks. The dynamo was destroyed by the fire and water so that we could not
send out a message by wireless for help.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">After a few days and nights
of work we managed to get all ready to make for the nearest port, but just two
hours before we were ready to start another fire broke out in the stoke hole,
more fierce than the first, and burnt for 48 hours. And, by jove, it did blaze:
some parts of the engine room were white hot. Even the ship’s sides in places
were red hot, and the decks you could not walk on. It was a good job we were
not loaded with benzene (as we have been) or we should have gone up.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This fire eventually died
out: we could not do anything but just let it burn. When we were able to get
down to the engine room the damage was so great that we could not do anything
to get into port under our own steam … When we found we could do nothing the
Captain asked for volunteers to sail in the small boat into the track of
shipping and hail one of them to come to our assistance; we all volunteered to
go, but only four were chosen. The first night they were out a strong gale
sprang up and they had a pretty rough time of it. They managed to get to an
island (with a lighthouse) in a very exhausted condition, and to the first
steamer they passed they signalled, asked the Captain to wireless the position
to the gunboats who were looking for us. It was not long after before one of
the gunboats came alongside us and towed us to Perim. He was just in time as we
had only two days water left, and we had been on our whack for some time. I am
pleased to say I am none the worse for my experience.</span></blockquote>
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Leighton Buzzard Observer, 29th October 1918</span></i></div>
Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-52154834125092097162018-10-27T07:00:00.000+01:002018-10-27T07:00:02.194+01:00Luton Munitions Workers Awarded OBEs<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">MBE medal, 1918 [<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MBE-Cobh-Heritage-Centre-2012.JPG" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>]<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sunday 27th October 1918:</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"> A ceremony has been held this afternoon at Luton Town Hall, at which Order of the British Empire medals were presented to three employees of George Kent Limited by the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Mr. Samuel Whitbread. All three were awarded for the great courage shown by the recipients during an accident which took place at the works in March. The O.B.E. Is a new award, established last year at the instigation of the King to honour all those men and women who have provided conspicuous service to the Empire as civilians or in military supporting roles. The recipients of the medals are:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Samuel Beddall of Harris Villa, Chiltern Road, Dunstable, who at grave personal risk twice entered a burning room and rescued three workers, in spite of dense fumes and personal injuries.</span></li>
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<li>Herbert Thomas Honnor of Naseby Road, Luton,for courage and high example in rescuing two fellow workers on the occasion of a fire in a factory.</li>
<li>Alexander McKay Pattison of Dordans Road, Leagrave, also for courage and high example at a factory fire. Though suffering from burns he rendered important assistance to several women who were in great danger.</li>
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<i style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source: Luton News, 31st October 1918</span></i></div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-60908667333822061212018-10-23T07:00:00.000+01:002018-10-23T07:00:01.883+01:00Flu Epidemic Kills Three at Toddington<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">High Street, Toddington
c.1910 [Z50/126/27]<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Wednesday
23rd October 1918:</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Toddington has been badly hit by an epidemic
of influenza, with over 150 cases. Both the schools have been closed and almost
every family has been affected. At least four people have died in the past
week, and many others are dangerously ill after developing pneumonia or
pleurisy. Mr. George Clarke, a chimney sweep and market gardener of Leighton
Road, died on Tuesday morning after being ill for a week. He was a member of
the Toddington Primitive Methodist Church and was well known locally as his
occupation took him round all the nearby villages. The Wesleyan Methodist
Church lost an active worker and supporter in Mrs. Martha Neale, of St.
David’s, Toddington. She conducted a large Society Class at the Church and was
a Sunday School visitor, and was known for her “genial and benevolent
disposition” . After a short illness she died of pneumonia on Thursday evening.
Her death has added to the grief of her family, who have suffered other recent
bereavements. Mr. Albert Fountain, a farmer at Cowbridge Farm, also died on
Thursday after a very short illness; his wife and child are also dangerously
ill. The combination of influenza and pneumonia also took the life of Charles
T. Evans of Luton Road. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Leighton Buzzard Observer, 22nd October 1918</span></i></div>
<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241983688195573656.post-26685613977209144912018-10-19T07:00:00.000+01:002018-10-19T07:00:05.834+01:00Landlord Ordered to Repair Cottage<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Stanbridge Village c.1909
[Z1306/108/4]<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Saturday
19th October 1918:</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> A soldier’s wife is refusing to pay rent for
the cottage in which she is living in Stanbridge until repairs are carried out.
The cottage is one of a row belonging to Mr. George Olney, and its poor
condition had already been brought to the Council’s attention two years ago.
There are large holes in the bedroom floor, and she is concerned that her children
could fall into them. The matter was again reported to the Council, whose
Surveyor declared that action should be taken to ensure that the woman and her
children could live in reasonable comfort. The landlord has been given two
weeks to make repairs. If this is not done, the District surveyor will carry
out the work and recover the cost from him</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Source:
Leighton Buzzard Observer 22nd October 1918</span></i></div>
Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13428870168914735863noreply@blogger.com0