Farewell from the Rector of Gravenhurst

Collisson family outside Gravenhurst Rectory, c.1904 [Z465/10]

Wednesday 21st June 1916: Following the death of his son Lieutenant Evelyn Collisson on 23rd February the Rector of Gravenhurst, Revd. Thomas Collisson, is leaving for a new living at Swyre in Dorset. In a letter of farewell to his parishioners he tells them: “After having lived amongst you for 19½ years it is a great wrench parting, but it must be after our very heavy bereavement. I give you our address in the hope that now and again I shall hear from you, and know how Gravenhurst Parish progresses spiritually and in worldly matters.” The Rector and his family are expected to leave Gravenhurst around the 19th July. He has been offered the living of Swyre by His Grace the Duke of Bedford, who owns much of the property there and ensures that the people are well cared for and housed at a cheap rental. It is to hoped that life in this “pretty little village” with its population of about 156 and a charming, stone Rectory, will help the Rector and his family to recover from their terrible loss.

Source: Barton Parish Magazine, June 1916 [P298/30/18]

German Raid on Ramsgate

Unexploded Zeppelin bomb, 1916 [Wikimedia]

Tuesday 21st March 1916: Mr. Reuben Parrish of Gravenhurst and his wife have received a dramatic letter from their son Cyril. When the war broke out Private Parrish was in Canada and he joined the Canadian Forces. He was wounded on active service in France and is now recovering at the Canadian Hospital in Ramsgate. Yesterday there was a terrible German air raid on the town which he describes in vivid terms:

“It is Sunday night and I have just come in from chapel after an awful day. I will tell you why. The Germans have been here today and have dropped some bombs. One of them fell on our hospital about 2 o’clock. I and my chum were out for a walk and saw two planes over our heads, and the next minute we heard something like a shell coming down. We rushed into a house, and we had hardly got inside before a bomb came through the roof with awful force, and shattered the house a good deal. We were both knocked down and shaken up a bit, but otherwise not hurt. I have had a lot of near shaves in France, but that is the nearest I ever had or ever want. Another bomb fell higher up and killed a man and five little children who were going to Sunday School. It was, sure, a sad sight. They were blown to pieces, and it upset me more than I ever was in France. Well, we will tray and forget it, but I don’t want them to come here again just yet. My face doesn’t get much better, and I am going to have my eye examined this week to see what they can do for it.”

Source: Luton News 23rd March 1916

Mixed Fortunes for Village Soldiers

 

Westoning Council School group 10 October 1915 [Z1132/2]

Saturday 4th December 1915: News from the Villages

  

Barton-le-Clay

A collection was made during the week ending November 13th for the National Million Shilling Fund for the Belgian Army. This raised a total of £5, very considerably more than the £2 the village had been asked to contribute. The scheme was to raise a million shillings to provide comforts of food and clothing to the entire Belgian Army as well as necessities such as field kitchens, sterilizers and trench heaters.

Gravenhurst

Miss Miller has now collected over 1,000 eggs for the sick and wounded. Many have been sent to base Hospitals in France. Percy Parrish, from whom we first heard in January, has written to his mother describing how his brother Cyril has been wounded: “I went down and saw his (Cyril’s) Captain and he told me all about it, he was hit about 3 o’clock in the morning while on guard in the trenches, and the Captain said he was the best bit of stuff he had seen, we can well be proud of him; and he gave over his orders as if nothing had happened, and told the boys he was just going for a holiday, and he would be back in a month or two, and have another go”.

Flitton and Greenfield

Mrs Arnold of Greenfield is grieving the sad loss of her husband Omar, who was killed when his ship was in collision with another in the Aegean Sea. “He was a good man and his heart was turned to God”.

Westoning

The Day School children are busy preparing to give a concert in the New Council Schools on December 10th. The aim is to provide comforts for Westoning men at the Front. The Sunday School children have agreed to the suggestion that they should forego their Christmas treat and the money saved be added to the amount raised.

Silsoe

The parish congratulates Colonel Lumley Jones on his appointment as Brigadier General. As he began the war with the rank of Captain, his promotion has been extraordinarily rapid.

Clophill

A concert given at Clophill by violinist Monsieur de Reyghere and his concert party has raised nearly £5 for the Belgian Relief Fund. Belgian badges were distributed during the interval and a collection made on behalf of Belgian soldiers which realised £1 7s 0d. M. de Reyghere has committed himself to giving a hundred concerts for this cause and has already performed more than sixty.

Mr and Mrs James Sharman have lost their baby James to whooping cough. There have been a number of bad cases during the epidemic which caused the closure of the school last month, but this was the only death.

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

Lucky Escape for Private Parrish

Hospital Ship Anglia [Wikimedia]

Friday 26th November 1915: Brave Gravenhurst soldier Private Cyril Parrish of Gravenhurst exclaimed cheerfully “Come on, boys; take my rifle, I am going for a little holiday” when he was hit by a bullet while guarding a trench. Seriously wounded when the shot entered the side of his neck just below the ear he was unconscious for four days. However Private Parrish’s bad fortune turned to good when his evacuation to England was delayed as there was no room for him on the hospital ship Anglia; as the Anglia crossed the Channel on 17th November carrying 390 wounded officers and soldiers it struck a mine and sunk within fifteen minutes with the loss of 134 men. Private Parrish is now waiting for an operation at Taplow Red Cross Hospital. His mother has visited and found him very ill but most cheerful. The young man was in Canada at the outbreak of the war and joined the 2nd Canadian Battalion.

Source: Luton Times, 3rd December 1915

Harvest Festival, Recruitment, Fundraising and Whooping Cough

2nd Lt. Evelyn Collisson of Gravenhurst [X550-1-81]

Sunday 7th November 1915: News from the Villages

Barton-le-Clay

Despite the lack of the usual celebrations the Church was crowded for the Harvest Festival services; this was despite the loss of seventy men to the Forces, including eleven who joined on October 3rd. Ten of the bell ringers have gone, along with nearly all the Band members.

Gravenhurst

The Gravenhurst Roll of Honour now includes fifteen names as follows: [1]

• Lionel Grant Milller – killed in action
• Walter Redman – missing
• Cyril Parrish – at the Front
• Percy Parrish – at the Front
• George Redman – at the Front
• Frederick Fisher – at the Front
• Sergeant George Cooper – at the Front
• John Fisher – joined the Army
• Lance Corporal Albert Fisher – joined the Army
• Herbert Fisher – joined the Army
• Bob Fisher – joined the Army
• Willie Collins – joined the Army
• William Dennis – joined the Army
• David Dilley – joined the Army
• 2nd Lieutenant Evelyn Collisson – joined the Army

Flitton and Greenfield

The war slides shown at the Parish Room have so far raised £1 1s 3d. In addition £6 2s 0d has been raised for the Red Cross Society by the sale of fruit of vegetables, from a concert got up by Miss Leach, and through subscription by the employees of Messrs Copping and Sibley.

Clophill

The Infant School has been closed for four weeks from October 27th due to an outbreak of whooping cough.

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

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[1] Of these men only Lionel Miller, Walter Redman and Evelyn Ernest Arnold Collisson (son of the Rector Revd. Thomas Collisson) appear on the Gravenhurst war memorial.

A Flying Plague at Flitton

High Street, Flitton [Z1306/49/6]

Sunday 3rd October 1915: News from the Villages

Barton-le-Clay

More regular village arrangements have had to be cancelled or scaled back due to the war. The Harvest Festival will be limited to just thanksgiving services, with none of the usual festivities – no decorations, tea meetings, flower shows or other celebrations. Street lamps will not be lit this winter, so the usual collection made by the Parish Council to fund street lighting will not be made; funds still in hand will be kept for future use. The local Football Club have decided not to arrange any fixtures and to suspend playing the game indefinitely.

Gravenhurst

The village has joined in the National Collection of eggs for the sick and wounded thanks to the work of Miss Miller. The effort has been a great success. On a less happy note the village has been suffering from a plague of winged daddy-long-legs.

Flitton and Greenfield

A Roll of Honour for the parish has been presented to the Church by the Vicar and placed on the door. War slides are to be shown at the Parish Room on alternate Wednesdays, starting on October 6th. A collection is to be made at the door for comforts for our soldiers. Flitton has also been suffering from a flying plague, in this case of wasps and gnats. One wasp stung the oldest inhabitant of the village, Mr Charles Downing, senior.

Westoning

Mr Peppiatt has been wounded at the Dardanelles and has lost part of his lung. He was in hospital at Gosport before returning to Westoning on September 11th to recuperate. Mr George Gazeley has been wounded three times. He hoped to be able to come home last month but this has not been possible. He has been in the firing line virtually since the beginning of the war. Herbert W. F. Higgs has been promoted to leading mechanic in the Royal Naval Air Service.

Clophill

The Rector is now with his Division on Salisbury Plain and is expected to proceed to the Front within the next couple of months. The 1st/5th Bedfords have been fighting hard on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Fortunately no Clophill men are among those killed, but Corporal J. Lomas and Private E. Eddy are among those wounded. Corporal G. Whittamore of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers has been home on leave. His wound, which had previously been giving much trouble, has now healed satisfactorily and he expects to be leaving shortly for service in France or the East. Private S. Webb of the King’s Royal Rifles returns to his regiment today after a short leave. He came straight from the trenches at La Bassée and has been in the firing line since November.

Silsoe

Two of the Silsoe men serving in the Dardanelles, Charles Browning and Ben Mann, have been wounded; fortunately neither suffered wounds of an exceptionally severe nature, although Charles Browning lost an eye and Ben Mann has been wounded twice. Both have been brought back to England for treatment.

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

Excursions, Thunderstorms, War Savings, and a New Army Chaplain

St Mary's Church, Woburn, 2012 [CR-PH]

Sunday 1st August 1915: News from the Villages

Barton-le-Clay

The scaled down Sunday School Treat took place on July 14th. The attendance of around 300 was larger than last year and the showery weather did not dampen enthusiasm. Fortunately the Rectory grounds offer plenty of shelter, and sports, cricket and football were held between showers. As suspected last month all railway excursions have had to be cancelled this year, but the probationary choir of the Parish Church were taken to Bedford on Saturday 17th July. The forty members of the Choir visited Woburn on Wednesday 21st July, stopping at Ampthill Park on the way where they watched the soldiers drill and perform a gymnastic display. The Park at Woburn was “a pretty picture, trees in their beauty, graceful deer of all descriptions, emus, birds and the bushy squirrel”. After tea there was a visit to Woburn Church and a return trip by way of Eversholt and a visit to the Manor gardens at Westoning.

Gravenhurst

On Sunday evening July 4th a violent thunderstorm passed over the village while the sermon was being given at the Methodist Chapel. Mrs Frank Fisher was seated between two open windows; the draught acted as a vehicle for the lightning, which struck the spectacles she held in her hand. These were snapped in two and hurled to the ground, and Mrs Fisher was paralysed down her left side. The Doctor believes that if she was wearing the glasses she would have been killed instantly. Fortunately Mrs Fisher is now on the road to recovery. We should all learn the lesson never to wear glasses during a storm and to close all windows.

Silsoe

On Friday July 23rd a meeting was held in the schoolroom to promote the South Beds War Savings Campaign. It is important to remember that the German military machine cannot be defeated without money and that everyone, rich and poor, is able to help. Imagine what a large sum could be raised if everyone saved one penny a day – money that would be lent to the government at a good rate of interest. The War Loan was explained, and the audience were reminded that money invested could be withdrawn at any time by application to any Money order Office. Is was suggested that a large amount could be saved by following the King’s example in abstaining from drink.

Clophill

The Rector of Clophill, Reverend Cecil L. Matthews has left at short notice to join the troops as a chaplain. He says “I hope that when I go to the Front you will remember me, and the other Clophill men, in your prayers, and that God will send us the Victory in this awful war”. The village has seen a number of other departures. Bertie Webb and Herbert Young have joined the Mechanical Transport of the Army Service Corps; Trooper H. Gibson of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers, Corporal H. L. Cunnington of the 8th Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment, and Privates L. Ansell and E. Eddy of the Beds Territorials have all left for the Front. Also to the Corps Headquarters of the Royal Engineers who have been at Clophill since early February have left for the East. Relations between these “splendid fellows” and the village have been most cordial.

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

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

Water Mill, Barton-le-Clay [Z1130/7/6]

Sunday 2nd May 1915

Barton-le-Clay

The most recent concert held in aid of the starving poor of Bruges contributed the sum of £7 towards the £500 total so far raised by the Bedford concert party who are devoting their efforts to this cause. The promoter writes: “Please accept my best thanks for the cheque enclosed, it is just great, and Barton has surpassed all villages of similar size. Will you please also thank the kind people who got the Schoolroom ready, lit fire etc., and charged us nothing for doing so. We all enjoyed coming to Barton very much, you were all such a nice audience.”

Gravenhurst

More bad news has reached the village with the mother and sister of Lionel Grant Miller in suspense over his fate. An L. G. Miller of the East Surreys has been killed in action, but this man appears to have a different number to Gravenhurst’s Lionel Miller. The same Regiment also has a Lionel George Miller and an L. Miller so it is hoped that Lionel Grant is one of the fifty East Surreys taken prisoner at Neuve Chapelle.[1]

Flitton

For the first time soldiers were billeted at Flitton on Monday evening 19th April. Despite the short notice and inconvenience the village did its best to make them welcome. Unfortunately the event was marred by the dreadful accident which resulted in the death of five year old Ralph Catlin.

Silsoe

The concert announced last month, given by the same Bedford party as the one held at Barton, went off extremely well. The audience was not very large but was extremely enthusiastic. The total amount raised for the starving Belgians was £5 8s 10d. Three more Silsoe men have volunteered to serve their Country: Charles Pratt, Frederick Bunker and Harry Bunker.

Clophill

Last Tuesday War Badges were distributed to those Scouts who have earned them; however, only a few were present to receive their badges as no less than two Assistant Scoutmasters and six Scouts have enlisted and are with their battalions. The soldiers who had been billeted in the village have now left to camp under canvas for the summer. It is hoped that they will have time to visit on occasions.

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

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[1] As with Walter Redman last month this hope proved to be misplaced. Lionel Grant Miller had been killed in action on 12th March 1915. Like Redman, his comrade  in the 2nd Battalion of the East Surreys, he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial. An obituary was published in the August magazine which states that he was engaged in ambulance work when he was shot and killed by a sniper. 

News from the Villages

Statue of George I by Carl Rangenier, Hanover [Wikimedia]

Sunday 4th April 1915:

Barton-le-Clay

A Barton mother remembers using the now rather outdated phrase “go to Hanover with you” to her children when irritated by them. Ironically her words have come true as one of her sons is now a prisoner of war at Hanover. The saying is a hangover from the time of the early King Georges, who preferred their original kingdom of Hanover to their newly acquired British realms and would return there at any opportunity. The contemptuous English view of this habit was reflected in the use of the term “go to Hanover” as an expression of annoyance.

Gravenhurst

Mr and Mrs Charles Fisher of Gravenhurst now have four sons serving in the Forces: John, Albert, Robert and Herbert. There is considerable sympathy for Mr and Mrs George Redman who have been notified by the War Office that their son Walter is missing. There is great hope that he is still alive and will turn up, maybe as a prisoner in Germany.[1]

Flitton and Greenfield

The Flitton Roll of Honour now includes seven men:

• Lance Corporal Herbert Thompson, H Company, Beds Regiment
• Wilfrid Summerfield, Duke of Bedford’s Camp (Ampthill)
• David Weston, 5th Battalion, Beds Regiment
• Ernest C. Odell, National Reserve, re-enlisted (10 years Indian Service)
• Arthur J. Hyde, Duke of Bedford’s Camp
• Henry G. Jones, Royal Field Artillery
• George Northwood, National Reserve, re-enlisted

Silsoe

A concert is to be given at Silsoe Church on the evening of Friday 9th April by a group of ladies and gentlemen from Bedford to raise funds for the relief of the Belgians.

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

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[1] Sadly this hope was misplaced. Private Walter Redman of the 2nd Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment had been killed in action on February 14th and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial. None of the Fisher brothers appear on the Gravenhurst war memorial so it may be that they all survived the war.

News from the Villages

Greenfield School Boy Scout Troop c.1910

Sunday 7th March 1915: Barton-le-Clay

Mr Pike, who has been acting as interpreter for the Belgian refugees who  now been installed in the Mill House at Barton. He describes them as “unassuming simple folk, they appear to take their tribulation very light-heartedly, in spite of the heavy blow which has fallen upon them”. They were driven out of Antwerp on 9th October by a German incendiary bombardment which forced them to run for their lives. They spent two months in Holland before reaching England on 8th January. Those who contribute to their upkeep are in a small way paying back the debt owed by this country to the Belgians people. As one returned wounded soldier said to this parents: “you wouldn’t be comfortably sitting by your fireside hadn’t it been for the Belgians; had it not been for their brave stand there is little doubt the Germans would have been here, for no country was in any way prepared for such an unexpected onslaught. A little time was gained for preparation which saved the situation. You can’t do too much for these poor people who really fought and suffered for you”.

Gravenhurst

The rector has called on his parishioners to ask themselves the following question: “Am I, by my Christian life and conduct, helping to bring down God’s help to end the war, or by my un-Christian life, and taking part in National degeneration helping to prolong the war?”

Clophill

The ordinary church congregation has diminished disappointingly since the soldiers arrived in the village. There has been much illness, and it is admitted that the extra work makes it hard for some people to get to Church, but it is feared that there must be a considerable amount of slackness and things ought not to be as bad as they are.

Westoning

A second successful concert has been held in the new school on behalf of the Belgian Refugee Fund. After expenses a total of £3 18s 6d was raised. One of the village Boy Scouts, Ernest Randolph Elliott Burton died last month at the age of fourteen after a short illness. The Scouts, together with some from Flitwick and Harlington, attended his funeral. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack and the boy’s haversack and hat were placed on top. Ernest was a good lad, at home, at church and at school, and did his duty regularly and well as a Scout. He will be badly missed.

Silsoe

Mr H. Spensley came to the village on February 20th to distribute war badges to those Boy Scouts who have done good work in National Service – in the case of the Silsoe Scouts this work has been guarding the railway tunnel, assisting the police and working at the Military Hospital. The Badges were awarded to Harry Bunker, Leslie Mann, Joe White, Walter White, Robert White, Charles Gray, and Albert Mann.

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

News from the Villages

Sunday 7th February 1915

The Old Vicarage, Flitton [Z1306/49/5]

Barton-le-Clay

A Volunteer Drill Class is to be formed in the village. Permission is being sought from the Chief Constable for P.C. G.Setchell to be appointed Drill Instructor. The Class is to be held each Friday evening at 7pm. P.C. Setchell has already given a weekly drill for many months to some 25 lads, many of whom have joined the army and have found his instruction most useful. It is suggested that the ancient habit of universal military instruction should be revived. The reverse of the large 14th century picture of St.Nicholas in the parish Church shows a village scene of youths practicing with the crossbow. It is said that the yew trees in churchyards were planted to supply wood for the bows, and many stones are found in old churches where men sharpened their arrow heads.

Trooper W. Frost of the 1st Dragoon Guards returned to the village on 72 hours leave. He has been in fifteen “scraps” since November but has come through unscathed except for frost-bite. He only once felt down-hearted, when in the trenches with frost-bitten feet, wet to the skin, chilled to the bone, and wearied from want of sleep. When a sympathetic officer asked how he felt he said he almost wished a bullet would finish him off. The officer told him to “stick it”, and “stick it” he did.

Gravenhurst

Christopher Arnold White and Adeline Standbridge Parrish were married in January and are congratulated on their decision to do their duty. The groom is to go and fight for King and country, and the bride has given her consent that he should go.

Flitton and Greenfield

The new Boy Scout Troop made its first public appearance at Church Parade on Sunday 24th January.

Westoning

More men have gone from Westoning for training and their names have been added to the list on the Church Notice Board. A list of those who have had to return through being medically unfit, and of others who have offered but been turned down for the same reason, has been added.

Clophill

The village are exceedingly happy to have such a splendid set of men billeted among them. Twenty six men from the village are serving at the Front or in the Royal Navy or have been wounded, and a further thirty are also serving. Thanks have been received for a truck of vegetables sent to be distributed among ships based at Harwich. Sir Arthur May, Director General of the Medical Department of the Royal Navy writes: “Looking at your work from a Medical point of view it is difficult to overestimate its value; the supply to the Ships’ Companies of really good fruit and vegetables, locally practically unobtainable, is in my opinion of the greatest benefit, it is, I am sure, an important factor in the present most satisfactory low rate of sickness in our ships of the Grand Fleet”.

Silsoe

Sincere sympathy goes out to the young widow of Frederick Laird of the Bedfordshire Regiment who has been killed in action.[1] Captain Lumley Jones, Adjutant of the 2nd Essex Regiment, has been welcomed home for a short but well earned west from his duties at the front. Almost immediately on his return to his regiment he was wounded by a rifle bullet. Fortunately the wound was not serious and he has completely recovered. Two more parishioners, William Novell and Samuel Wiffin have volunteered for service and be accepted, though for both of them the medical inspection meant the loss of practically all their teeth. Malcolm Cook has been successful in obtaining a Writership in the Navy and will commence his duties shortly.

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

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[1] Frederick Laird of the 1st Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment was killed on 10th December 1914 and has no known grave. He had married Julia Brothers only a few months earlier. She gave birth to a son, Frederick Harry, early in 1915. His entry in the National Roll of the Great War reads: “He was mobilised on the outbreak of war, and almost immediately proceeded to France, where he fought in the retreat from Mons and in subsequent engagements on the Marne, in which he was wounded and sent to a base hospital. Recovering from the effects of his wounds he returned to his unit, and took part in the Battles of La Bassée and Ypres, and was killed in action near Ypres on December 11th 1914”. He lived at 18 High Street, Silsoe.

News from the Villages

Strawplaiting at Barton-le-Clay, 1917 [Z1306/7/13/1]

Sunday 3rd January 1915

Barton-le-Clay

The roll of honour of men from the village who have joined the Forces has increased by ten, making a total of about 50. These include five of the bell ringers. Five Bartonians have already returned wounded, but all are making satisfactory progress on the whole. At the Ringers and Church Officials' Christmas Supper Private Bradshaw gave a graphic description of the Battle of Mons, during which he had lain wounded for five hours under the dead horse he had been driving in the artillery service. Mrs Sturgess has received a letter from her son in the 1st Bedfords who has been promoted to Lance-Corporal.[1] He says “We haven’t much to grumble at, for we have plenty to eat and plenty of warm clothing, but what we don’t like is the wet weather; it makes everybody so miserable, but we grin and bear it … We stayed for a day or two in a Church where there was a nice organ. Someone started playing a few old hymns, and you ought to have heard us sing. It made us think more of home than ever … You ought to see us now, we look like a lot of bears, as we have had some fur coats given us.”

A house and furniture have been arranged and weekly subscriptions promised sufficient to maintain eight Belgian refugees, so it is disappointing that none have arrived. The matter is being kept in hand for a time in case any wish to avail themselves of the village’s hospitality later on.

Gravenhurst

Percy Parrish has written on behalf of himself and his brother Cyril to their parents: “We have joined the army … You must not worry for you know it was our duty to go. We are not going to have a German to rule over us”. The Rector urges every unmarried man of military age and strength to join the army, and every non-combatant unfit for the front to join in prayer, to contribute by self-denial, and to do some work for those suffering from the war.

Flitton and Greenfield

The series of lantern views and war slides concluded in December and a grand total of £3 14s 4d was sent to Lady Eleonora French requesting that it be spent on warm clothing for men at the front, but not on socks. She has suggested that vests and pants are most needed right now. Efforts are being made to establish a Boy Scout Troop and eleven lads are already in training. Funds are being raised to purchase uniforms and other equipment.

Silsoe

The children in the Junior Classes in the Mixed School have contributed 5s 5d and the Infants 1s 3d to the fund for the maintenance of a Belgian family in the village. Nothing more has been heard about their arrival, but the village is ready to give them a cordial welcome.

Westoning

A total of £7 12s 2d has been handed over to the Belgian Distress Fund following the concert held in the New Schools.

Clophill

There is great excitement in the village at the news that over 200 soldiers are to be billeted at Clophill. The Parish Room is to be turned into a Recreation Room with a refreshment stall. Only men in uniform will be allowed but members of all branches of the Services will be welcomed. It is hoped that the visitors will be made most comfortable, but also that there will be no “unseemly foolishness or rowdyism”.

A branch of the newly formed League of Honour for Women and Girls is also to be started in the village. The League aims at uniting all women and girls over 14 in Prayer, Purity and Temperance during the war, offering them the highest scope for true patriotism.

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

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[1] Leonard Sturgess of Barton joined the Bedfordshire Regiment in 1903 aged 19 and was transferred to the Reserve in 1905. He rejoined the Regiment at the beginning of the War and was discharged in January 1916 at the termination of his first period of engagement. He served in France between 30th August 1914 and 28th January 1915. His pension record describes him as “a cheerful and industrious worker”. 

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.