Last Moments of a Zeppelin

Monday 2nd October 1916: Ten airships crossed the East Coast of England last night; two of them on a mission to attack London. One was driven off but the second was brought down near to Potters Bar, close enough for residents in the south of Bedfordshire to witness the event. Those standing on the Midland footbridge at Luton Railway Station had a particularly good view as the Zeppelin fell from the sky in flames, and the whole town was illuminated by the blaze. In Dunstable many people had just missed seeing the airship shot down at Cuffley last month, and when they heard the Zeppelin alarm they made their way to positions likely to offer a good vantage point. For a short time Dunstable was flooded by a light which was remarkably bright, considering the distance of the town from the place where the menace of the air was shot down. At Silsoe a dull red light suddenly appeared in the sky around midnight, followed by flames which shot up to a good height. The Zeppelin gradually fell and the light diminished, disappearing completely after three minutes.

Source: Luton News, 5th October 1916

Cows in the Road

Cattle on the road at Riseley, c.1910-25 [Z1306/96/6/3]

Tuesday 22nd February 1916: A Silsoe farmer has appeared at the County Court to defend himself against a claim for damages brought by Lieutenant Stanley Lambert, Army Service Corps, of Stockwood Crescent, Luton. At about 6pm last Wednesday Lt. Lambert was on military duty driving a motorcycle with a side car from Bedford to Luton, with his sergeant as passenger. Just before they reached the bridge between Silsoe and Barton he slowed, but it was very dark and he ran into a cow, seriously damaging his motorcycle. Ronald Harris of Silsoe has land on both sides of the road, and at the time of the accident two cows were crossing from the farm to the field opposite. However, the gate was shut and the animals were straggling across the road, and Lt. Lambert alleged that nobody was in charge of them. He went to the farm and complained to Mr. Harris who replied "I have had many complaints from motor drivers, but I have always beat them". He then produced a little boy who he said was supposed to have been in control of the cows.

Lt. Lambert said he had met cattle in the same spot before. On this occasion he saw what he thought was a cart loom out of the darkness, but this turned out to be two cows; unable to stop in time, he had struck one of them in the "softest" place. He also claimed that Harris had said "I have always succeeded in making the motorists pay". The judge reluctantly gave judgment for the farmer, as legal precedent held that there was no duty on the owner of cattle occupying premises adjoining a highway to prevent his cattle straying onto the road.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 22nd February 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]

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]

A Shortage of Bellringers

Flitton c.1910 [Z1306/49/6]

Wednesday 1st September 1915

Barton-le-Clay

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

Flitton and Greenfield

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

Silsoe

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

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

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]

Funeral of a Soldier

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

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

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

---

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

News from Barton, Clophill and Silsoe

Gassed, by John Singer Sargent (Wikimedia)

Sunday 4th July 1915

Barton-le-Clay

The annual School Treat is to be held in the Rectory Grounds on July 14th. There will be no sports or prizes this year as it has become impossible to raise the money, and if it could be raised there are too many other good causes to which it should be given. Another problem which will curtail outings this year is the lack of trains; no excursion trains are running, even to London.

Clophill

Sergeant Wootton and Jesse Titmas have both been suffering from the effects of poison gas. Sergeant Wootton has now recovered and returned to his regiment; he has also been recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Silsoe

In November we heard that Captain Lumley Jones had been made a Member of the Legion of Honour and had been mentioned in dispatches. Since returning to his regiment after recovering from a bullet wound earlier this year  he has been awarded the Companionship of the Distinguished Service Order. He has also now been mentioned in dispatches no less than three times. A sergeant in the Essex Regiment recently home from the front made clear the high esteem in which his men hold Captain Jones saying “We would all go anywhere with, and do anything for him”.

Source: Monthly Magazine for the parishes of Barton-le-Cley, Clophill, Flitton and Greenfield, Gravenhurst, Silsoe, Westoning, July 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]

The Effects of Gas

Gassed, by John Singer Sargent, 1918 (Wikimedia)

Sunday 30th May 1915: Mr Brown of Silsoe, who is serving in France as an ambulance driver, has written home describing events which took place last weekend:

“The Germans had been using that dreadful gas again;[1] we have to go right up to the firing line. It was something dreadful, we were under shell and rifle fire all the time. It was night time when we were there, and it was just like as if the whole sky was on fire, the noise was terrible. We could not hear one another speak, and had to drive without lights not daring to strike a match or smoke, if we did, as sure as I am writing we should have been killed … Just as we got our last load of wounded and were starting off, someone struck a match, and the Germans immediately put six shells at us in succession, but fortunately they all went to the right of us so we escaped. Our poor soldiers, when we got them to the nearest hospital, which was about three miles away, we had to lay them out on the grass, which is the best treatment for gas cases, but, poor fellows, they are doubled up in a heap, and their moaning is something awful … I had only eight hours sleep out of those three days, we were all completely knocked up; my mate fainted away and was quite done up. The doctor says his nerves are affected by the continual noise of the guns … I have just got a slice of good luck, there are about ten of us picked out to clear the wounded from the three big clearing hospitals, and I am one of them; we are about five miles from the nearest firing line – I am pleased, no mistake.”

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

---

[1] Chlorine gas was first used at the 2nd Battle of Ypres against the French on 22nd April 1915. 

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]

---

[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]

---

[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]

---

[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]

---

[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]