Accidental Death of a Luton Soldier

Rifleman Augustus Tennyson Bruton

Saturday 15th April 1916: Rifleman Augustus Tennyson Bruton of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps has been buried today at East Hyde Churchyard. Rifleman Bruton’s coffin was carried on a gun carriage covered by the Union Jack. Men from the Royal Field Artillery Training Camp at Biscot and a firing party from the 2/4th Leicestershire Regiment. Full military honours had also been accorded as his coffin was taken from the hospital at Warrington where he died to the station, and wreaths were sent by the hospital staff. Twenty one year old Rifleman Bruton had formerly been a scholar and chorister at East Hyde Church. He had worked at the Luton Hoo garden for four years, and before enlisting he was employed as gardener by Mr. Brown of Highfield, Luton.

The young man died from injuries sustained due to a most unfortunate accident. He had joined the army in November 1915 and was sent to Andover for training. After nine weeks he was sent to France. He was resting after six days in the trenches when the accident happened. He was one of a party receiving bombing instruction on March 2nd when a bomb exploded while the instructor was holding it. Rifleman Bruton’s left foot was badly injured. After five days in hospital in France he was repatriated to the Lord Derby War Hospital at Winwick, Warrington. On April 9th, as he was busy with his duties at church as Parish Clerk of East Hyde, Mr. Bruton received an urgent telegram summoning him to his son’s bedside. With the help of the Vicar and Lady Wernher the parents were taken by motor car to Bedford, where they caught an early train to Warrington. They were able to be with their son for his last hours, before he died at 8 p.m. on Monday 10th. His body was returned to Luton on Thursday,

Source: Luton News, 20th April 1916

Honours for Luton Hoo Sons

 Lieutenant Harold Wernher

Tuesday 4th January 1916: Congratulations are in order for Lieutenants Harold and Alexander Wernher, two of the three sons of Lady Wernher of Luton Hoo. Harold Wernher, who has been serving in France with the 12th Royal Lancers since the beginning of the war, has been mentioned in dispatches for gallant conduct in the Field as one of just four officers from his regiment singled out by Sir John French for that honour. Alexander Werner, aged just 18, has been serving with the Buckinghamshire Hussars. After three months working on the staff of the 1st Army he has now been officially appointed to the staff of General Sir Horace Smith-Durrien and has left with him for South Africa.

Lieutenant Alexander Wernher

Lieutenant Harold celebrated his 21st birthday in 1914 with three days of functions and entertainments at Luton Hoo, at which a number of presentations were made to him by the Luton Corporation and other local bodies. He had hoped to be able to take a close interest in local affairs but has been prevented from doing so by the war. At his brother’s coming of age celebrations Alderman H.O. Williams of Luton proposed a toast to Alexander, in which he referred to the part played by younger sons had in the spread of the Empire and looked to the young man to play his own part in the service of the nation. Given the part Lieutenant Alexander is now to play in the German East African campaign, the Alderman’s words seem prophetic. 

Source: Luton Times, 7th January 1916

Loyalty Day

 "We're Doing Our Duty" postcard c.1914-1918 [Z1306/75/16/42]

Saturday 24th October 1914: Today has been “Loyalty Day” in Luton. Red, white and blue badges have been sold throughout the town to raise funds for the local War Materials Fund. This provides much needed materials for groups of ladies who are working hard making clothing for men serving in the Bedfordshire Regiment and others on active service. The idea for the fundraising day came from Lady Wernher of Luton Hoo. Gifts of ribbon, ready-made badges and other materials were received and a large quantity of ribbon was bought. Working parties were assembled to make the badges which they did at top speed.

The area was divided up into ten districts, with each allocated to a “captain” helped by fourteen other volunteers, and the badges were priced between one penny and one shilling. Selling started at 8 a.m. this morning and within forty minutes a number of the volunteers had already sold out of badges. Some of the sellers were then put to making more badges, with help from Lady Wernher, Miss Pryce and six servants from Luton Hoo. Extra badges were also bought at trade prices and sold at a profit. Selling continued until about 5 p.m. when heavy rain put an end to the business of the day. The takings were so large and contained so many coppers that five people took six hours to count them. The final total raised amounts to an impressive £111.18s.5d. One hundred and fifty ladies and girls and one dog took part in the collection. The dog, which belongs to Mrs Hickson, collected sixteen shillings.

Source: Luton News 29 October 1914

A Grand Military Review

Letter of thanks for donation to War Materials Fund written by Lady Alice Wernher 

on 21 October 1914 [P85/28/2/19]

Wednesday 7th October 1914: It has been announced that a Grand Military Review of the Troops under the command of Major General the Hon. E.J.Montagu-Stuart Wortley is to be held in Luton Hoo Park at 2.30pm on Wednesday 14th October, by kind permission of Lady Wernher. The gates will be opened at 1pm.

Ticket prices are as follows:

Admission to park

-         Adults: 3d in advance, 6d on the day

-         Children under 14: 1d in advance, 3d on the day

Admission to park and reserved enclosure

-         Adults: 6d in advance, 1s on the day

-         Children under 14: 3d in advance, 6d on the day

Private vehicles – 2/6 in addition to entrance for occupants, who must hold enclosure tickets.

Children should, as far as possible, be in the care of their parents or adult friends.

Bicycles and motor-cycles will not be allowed in the park but a temporary garage will be provided near the entrance for which the charge will be:

-         Bicycle: 2d

-         Motor-cycle: 4d

-         Motor-cycle with side-car: 6d

Tickets are available from any police officer; Messrs. Webdale’s, Wellington Street; Mr R H Marks, George Street; Mr C Barker, Manchester Street; and other places where cards are displayed.

Funds raised are in aid of the Prince of Wales’ National Relief Fund, Luton Branch

Source: Luton News, 8/10/1914