Luton Hat Trade Training Scheme Delayed

Straw hat stall at Luton market, 1920 [Z1306/75/17/43]

Thursday 31st January 1918: At a meeting of the Luton War Pensions Committee a strong protest has been made against the holding up of the scheme for training discharged men for the hat industry. The Committee appointed to oversee the scheme were almost on the point of resignation due to the procrastination of the two Government departments responsible, which apparently had a difference of opinion as to how it should be carried out. Rumour in the town blamed the manufacturers, on the one had for trying to make something out of the scheme, and on the other for holding it up because they could not make anything out of it! In fact the manufacturers were anxious for it to go ahead, not for profit but simply to assist in the good work of training the disabled. A minimum of twelve trainees was required for the scheme to start - there were currently eight applications from men hoping to be trained, but there had been many other enquiries which came to nothing because the work was not ready. The Committee agreed to protest strongly to the Government departments which were causing the delay.

Source: Luton News, 31st January 1918

Luton Man to Train American Soldiers

American troops passing Buckingham Palace, 1917

[Imperial War Museum Q30005 reproduced under IWM Non Commercial Licence]

Monday 22nd October 1917: Percy “Punch” Lovell of Luton has been chosen as one of around 100 soldiers who are being sent to the United States to train American soldiers in the methods of warfare used in France. He was well-known in the town before the war as the centre-forward for the Clarence football team. He served for two-and-a-half year in Flanders and France, gaining promotion to the rank of sergeant. Despite being in the thick of the fighting he escaped without a scratch, and for several months has been a machine gun instructor in England. Sadly his parents’ pride in their son’s achievements has been tempered by the news that their other son, Gerald, has been killed in action. Gerald Lovell enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment last November, was drafted to the Front in April, and died when a shell burst, killing him instantly and wounding two others. He leaves a young wife, who lives at 12 Langley Road.

Source: Luton News, 25th October 1917 

Ampthill Training Camp

Training camp at Ampthill Park [Z1306/1/34/3]

Tuesday 4th April 1916: There has been a case of measles at the Ampthill Training Camp, as a result of which passes for weekend leave were not given. On Thursday the soldiers at the camp enjoyed an excellent concert given by a party from Bedford. Performers included: Tom Swan, a clever comedian who was wounded in France; Signor Bellizzi, a veteran of 21 years in the British Navy and a talented singer; elocutionist Private Densley; and Mrs Hawkins Pearey as accompanist. There has been work as well as play, with the trainees taking part on several route marches, including one on Saturday through the villages of Maulden, Flitton and Flitwick. On the same day the draft ready for the Front was inspected by the Duke of Bedford in his role as Colonel.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 4th April 1916

Artillery Training School at Leighton Buzzard

Horse drawn artillery, 1914 [Z1306/12/5/16]

Monday 26th July 1915: An artillery training school has opened at Pages Park in Leighton Buzzard and large numbers of men from the West Riding Territorial Artillery are arriving for training. Twenty reached the town on Wednesday, 230 on Thursday. 250 more yesterday, with further arrivals expected imminently. Their horse-drawn gun carriages are attracting considerable attention in the local streets. The soldiers have been billeted as near to the park as possible in Stanbridge Road, Dudley Street, South Street and the surrounding area. It is expected that Leighton Buzzard will become a large and important training centre. The commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Russell, has applied to the Urban District Council for permission to erect the following buildings: central dining rooms and kitchens, recreation and lecture rooms, harness and saddlery rooms, ablution and bath rooms and latrines for 1500 men. He also homes to get approval from the War Office to add hut barracks for 1500 men and 300 horses. The buildings are likely to occupy 10 to 12 acres out of the 17 acres which make up Pages Park. The Chairman of the Council believed that sufficient water could be supplied, and the military authorities were asked for assurances that they would meet all the costs involved in providing sanitary arrangements.  

The opening of the training school opens up the possibility of enlistment for men who have so far been ineligible for military service due to their age or inability to pass the medical examination. They can apply to join the military for home service and are needed to act as officers servants, storemen, grooms and so on. Any many who joins the army and continues to live at home will receive the billeting allowance of 3s 4½d per day in addition to his soldier’s pay; anyone acting as an officer’s servant will be given additional allowances increasing the total weekly wages to between 30 and 35 shillings. Men who enlist for home service fill vital roles and by doing so release younger and able-bodied men for service at the Front. Anyone interested in enlisting can obtain further information from the Recruiting Officer in Market Square.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer 27th July 1915

Bedfordshire Reformatory Boys in Training

Bedfordshire Reformatory uniforms, 1913 [QRD1]

Wednesday 14th July 1915: The 120 boys of the Bedfordshire Reformatory School at Carlton are leaving today to camp in the Park of the Duke of Buccleuch near the village of Weekley in Northamptonshire. The boys have already had good experience of route marching and are intending to march the whole way to Kettering, with an hour or so rest at Wellingborough. They are expected to arrive around teatime. While at camp the boys will be given the opportunity for graining in drill, gymnastics, marching and sleeping under canvas, which will be particularly useful for those who will later join His Majesty’s Forces as soldiers or sailors. Over 130 old boys of the School are already serving at the Front, and nearly 200 are in training with various regiments around the country. Two of those serving at the Front have been mentioned in despatches and others have been made non-commissioned officers. In the country as a whole no less than 19,648 former Reformatory boys are serving their country, with 530 killed in action, 49 died of wounds, and 1,540 wounded. A large numbers of honours have been awarded, with 20 mentioned in despatches, 25 awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and 4 the Victoria Cross.

The general public often imagine a Reformatory to be a dark, unpleasant place. This impression is very different to the one given in this note from the Superintendent:

“To many people the words “Reformatory Boy” sounds dreadful, but visit this school any time during the day, and the surprises found there will be many and pleasant. The school is conducted on public school lines; the boys have eery possible freedom, and the training given them is not to the effect that they are all bad, but have had no chance, or circumstances have been against them. That chance is here given them, for they have the liberty to choose what calling in life they wish to follow, and are trained for it. Boys may be trained as carpenters, tailors, shoemakers, engineers and electricians, bakers, farmers, gardeners, cooks, waiters, bandsmen (for Army and other bands), short-hand-typiest, etc. The premises are roomy and up-to-date, and to use an expression of the Chief Inspector of the Home Office Schools, “It is one of the best-arranged and most comfortable of Reformatory Schools.”

 Government statistics show that the school has an excellent record of turning out useful and successful citizens, with 92% of old boys doing well and in regular employment.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 23rd July 1915

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.

Bedford Grammar School OTC Training Exercise

1926 Valuation Map showing area around Kimbolton Road [DV2]

Friday 29th January 1914: The Officer’s Training Corps at Bedford Grammar School has carried out a field exercise in the Clapham Park / Putnoe Farm area – as no blank ammunition has been issued to the Corps this year the usual fight could not be held. No.1 Company manoeuvred to the west of Kimbolton Road and No.2 Company to the east. The Corps Commanding Officer reports:

“No. 1 Company set out from School as an Advance Guard, and proceeded to Jackman’s Farm. Here an attempt ws made to turn the Advance Guard into a Flank Guard. But, chiefly owing to the difficulty of keeping touch across fields which we are not allowed to use, it was not wholly a success. The Company reformed and had lunch. Afterward, an attack was made on Jackman’s Farm from Clapham House. This was quite well done, but Section Commanders and Cadets must use better judgment in choosing the ground on which to go down. It was fairly common to see sections lying in the open, where they could be easily seen by the enemy, whereas, if they had advanced a few more yards, they would have found a fold in the ground which would have given them complete cover from view. The final charge was a great success.”

“No. 2 Company first made an attack on Putnoe Farm from the south side. There was far too much shouting and confusion, and the sections often lay down in the open when they would have reached ‘dead ground’ by advancing a few yards further. Section Commanders in support must keep awake to see the signals to reinforce. It ought not to be necessary to send back a bugler to ask the Section Commander whether he had seen the signal: I do not think many of the Company would have reached Putnoe Farm."

“The Company afterwards reformed, and a fresh attack was made from Putnoe Farm towards Cleat Hill. This was quite successful.”

“For instructional purposes the training on this day was more valuable than a fight, as the Cadets learnt how things should be done, and were able to correct mistakes.”

Source: The Ousel 22 February 1915 [Z447/22]

Troops at Leighton Buzzard

Hockliffe Street Wesleyan Church, Leighton Buzzard [Z1306/72]

Tuesday 12th January 1915: A batch of new recruits for the 63rd Brigade have arrived at Leighton Buzzard from Lincoln.[1] To free up billets in the town for the new arrivals 362 men who are already well advanced in their training have been moved out to the villages of Stanbridge, Tilsworth and Eggington.

The Wesleyan Schoolroom in Hockliffe Street is being used by the troops for various purposes. On Sunday evenings a regular social hour is held there which is attended by a large number of soldiers. The bandsmen of the West Yorkshire Regiment practise in the Schoolroom and since last Friday it has also become the paymaster’s office. Thanks to a spell of wet weather it is even being used by the Somerset Regiment for drilling and signalling. On Sunday the services at the Wesleyan Church were conducted by the Wesleyan Chaplain to the 21st Division, Rev. G. H. Crossland, who is stationed at Aylesbury.

Across the road in the Hockliffe Street Baptist School Hall concerts were given for the soldiers on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Wednesday’s entertainment had a popular theme while Thursday’s concert by the Church choir was more classical. The highlights were a solo with instrumental effects titled “The Bassoon” performed by Mr H. O. Kitchener, and renditions of “Your King and Country want you”, “You are my baby” and “On the Mississipi” by Miss Dulcie Griffin.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer and Linslade Gazette, 12th January 1915

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[1] The 63rd Brigade was part of the 21st Division and was made up of the following battalions:
8th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment
8th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry
12th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment
4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment
10th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment.
The Brigade arrived in France in September and first saw action at the Battle of Loos at the end of that month.

Training Camp Life

Luton Modern School, c.1914 [Z1306/76/2/3]

Saturday 19th December 1914 (Luton) - Private Ernest Allin of the 24th Battalion of the County of London Regiment has written a letter which has been published in the current issue of the Luton Modern School magazine:

Many of you will agree that Old Lutonians who enlisted, did so for the one outstanding reason that His Majesty’s Army would not and could not be complete without some O.L’s in its wake. Those of us in the Queen’s Own Rifles have, since joining found that it was not merely for the meagre 7/- a week that they became soldiers, but absolutely for the honour of being able to serve their Country. … Some people imagine the “Terriers” are having a “holiday” at present. To those individuals I would give a hearty invitation to spend a week with us at St.Albans, although I verily believe that a single day would suffice. From one week’s end to another, it is one continuous routine of drills, marches and numerous other items. By this I do not mean that we are tiring of our task. Far from it. I do not believe there is a single one of us that is sorry he enlisted.

What a difference this military life is to our usual home circle. It is really wonderful to see the way in which we have so suddenly accustomed ourselves to the dainty fare of the Army. Perhaps the menu card which is (not) printed for daily use will assist those who have our cause at heart. 

Breakfast: One can of tea (including milk and sugar), one piece of bacon and bread and a portion of cheese (The “guests” are not expected to have too much of these items).

Dinner: Stew, roast beef and mutton, potatoes (in natural skins).
Tea Bread and jam (and plenty of it). Butter is never included here. Tea (as above).

Supper: Nichts (unless you provide it).

At first we could not relish these stylish courses, especially as the bread was, and is now, a week old before we get it. The tea more often than not has a very suspicious smell of stew or potatoes.

Now and again the War Office or kind friends outside will provide us with dainty delicacies such as stewed apples and custard or stewed damsons, which causes a terrible rush for the “dixies”, the name given to our coooking untensils. In spite of these little trials and troubles we manage to get at the humorous side and this keeps us very optimistic.

From what I can understand from the others as well as personally, the chief disadvantage is the bed. Perhaps the word “bed” is rather vague and likely to lead one astray but as that word is the nearest approach we will let it remain as bed. We sleep on the floor, not being so fortunate as other companies in being billeted in private houses. We cannot even get one of the straw beds which are so kindly provided for the express benefit of the Soldiers by the War Office. The first fortnight, sleep was evidently a thing of the past, but we gradually accustomed ourselves to such sweet repose, and now we do not worry about sore hips and elbows. The fact is we do not want to get up in the mornings.

What tales we shall have to relate when we return to our one and only Luton. I am sure such tales of “short sharp rushes” and “extended order” will stagger you, especially if we happen to get the real thing.

At the present time we are camping out three times a week and actually have to prepare our own meals and cook them.

The first obstacle that confronted us was that although we might prepare and cook them easily it would be much more difficult to eat them. This was not the case however, and all agreed unanimously that we had become thoroughly domesticated at a very short notice. I could relate for long enough our little “quiffs and qualms” but as the poet says “Enough is as good as a feast”.

 Source: Luton Modern School Magazine, December 1914 [SDLutonSFC2/7]

“Home from Home” at Ampthill

The Camp, Ampthill Park c.1914 [Z1306/1/34/2]

Thursday 19th November 1914, Ampthill: The first soldiers have now arrived at the Bedfordshire Training Depot set up by the Duke of Bedford at Ampthill. Herbert Bennett of Biggleswade, who signed up with the Bedfordshire Regiment last week and was among the first soldiers to arrive there, has given us some more detail about the camp.[1] He says that there were about eighty men in the first draft to arrive from Kempston Barracks. Of the six huts so far completed one is being used as the Sergeants Mess, the sergeants being mostly former police officers or ex-Army along with Regimental Sergeant Major Roper Bass. He reports that the facilities are much better than those at Kempston Barracks, with new spring single beds with mattresses and blankets in the huts, and with food that promises to be good. If it continues as it has begun it will be quite a “home from home”. The trainees are to go to the woods to learn trench digging and have been told that the Duke himself will be coming to take Company drill twice a week.

Source: Memoir of H (Bert) Bennett [AU41/3/4]

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[1] Herbert (“Bert”) Bennett remained at Ampthill until he was sent overseas on 9th June 1915. His service papers show that he served in France until October 1916, was posted home until March 1918, then saw out the war back in France. 

The Best of Times

Image: Felixtowe letter card 1917 [ZU41/3/6]

10th September 1914: A letter from a Luton man

Landguard, Suffolk.
   Dear Friends, - We are writing to tell you that your country needs you. We are having the best of times down here at Felixstowe.
   We are preparing for our country, and if we fail to win, what will you say? But it will be too late then, so come along and do your best for your King and country.
   Remember that years ago the men of Luton and other towns did the same for us. Why should we not respond now?
   Don’t be down-hearted, as the more the merrier, and we are sure to win if you all try your best.
   Come along. There are hundreds down here, but still room for more.
                 LUTONIAN

Source: Luton News 10/9/1914

Round the Camp Fire

Training camp at Ampthill Park [Z1306/1/34/3]

9th September 1914, Luton: Anyone walking up the Old Bedford Road last night would have seen and heard the soldiers enjoying a camp out as part of their training – at least, they certainly appeared to be enjoying themselves by the number of sing-songs going on around camp fires. They also seemed to have made themselves quite comfortable. Each man was given a great coat, a waterproof sheet and a blanket. By forming themselves into groups of four they could make a little tent out of two of the sheets, put the others on the ground with two blankets, and share the remaining blankets one between two. The soldiers all said they were warm enough for a good night's sleep, especially as many of them wore woollen sleeping bonnets.

Source: Luton News 10/9/1914