Stories from the Beds & Herts Telegraph, May 29th, 1915.

It is a matter of regret that at the end of the first week of the 2/5th Battalion, Beds Regt, recruitment march the results are not so satisfactory as was anticipated, nor half so satisfactory as the regiment deserves.

The actual number of men medically examined and attested at the present time is 85, and there are doubtless others who are considering the matter, while some 30 men presented themselves for service, but were not able to satisfy the doctor. In this connection it should be explained that one of the most usual defects is that of eyesight. If prospective recruits are doubtful as to the soundness of their eyes, they should be fitted with glasses before offering themselves.

The most disappointing day was the first, at the large village of Shillington. Well over 100 men of eligible age, a large proportion bachelors, are reported to live in this parish, but, although many of them showed themselves and listened to the band, not a single recruit was obtained.

The weekend at Luton was most enjoyable, but results proved the difficulty of trying to get men to take the final step actually during the holidays. Many splendid fellows have presented themselves since, and it is hoped that many others will follow.

The total number required is 550, and if these are to be obtained the numbers recruited per week will have to be doubled.

• Local sportsmen will regret to learn the sad news that Pte Thomas James Holliman, 18236, 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action in the trenches on May 6th, 1915. He lived at 404 Hitchin Road, Luton, and was aged 28. Pte Holliman is pictured, right.

• Yesterday a letter received by Mrs Brown, of 65 Albert Road, Luton from her son, L-Cpl G. Brown, 2nd Battalion Beds Regt. The brief letter deals with men being shot down while helping wounded comrades, of men standing in deep water and drowning when wounded, and of nearly 400 casualties being sustained in the short space of 15 minutes.

• Edward Kenney, who is with the 1/3rd South Midland Field Ambulance "somewhere in France," has received his promotion to the rank of corporal for timely service to the wounded during one of the great engagements of a fortnight ago. He is the only son of Mr and Mrs Alfred Kenney, of 78 Oak Road, Luton, but had been living in Margate with his wife and three children for some years. He joined the forces in March 1915 and was sent to France within a fortnight of joining.

• A Luton woman was among people to catch the malady of a skin and throat disease which is prevalent among horses in the district, especially military animals. Small ulcers appear on her arms, throat and tongue and, although it is probably not a dangerous disease, it is very contagious and painful, and could take months to cure.

• The cost of English meat had risen by at least a third since before the war, according to Park Street butcher Mr William Panter. Frozen meat was costing the butcher double the pre-war prices. "Meat cannot be sold for less than the considerably higher prices now asked, and earnings of customers have not gone up in proportion to the increased cost of living," said Mr Panter, who added that the result had been the closure of some butchers shops in Luton. The picture is of Mr Panter and his staff in pre-war days.

• Bread went up in price on Monday to 8½d and 9d per quartern loaf. Its previous rise was on April 19th, when it was made 8d and 8½d per quartern loaf.

• Under an arbour of beech boughs at the Corn Exchange on Thursday, the Luton town crier and bellman (Charles Irons) uttered the ancient formula by which all those under the jurisdiction of the Manor of Luton were summoned to the annual Court Leet and View of Frank Pledge with the General Court Baron of Lady Wernher, the Lady of the Manor. The arbour is a survival of the old shelter provided when the Court was held in the open market place. Mr Irons had had to borrow a bell as the Manor bell was cracked and needed replacing.

• Court Leet Deputy Steward, historian Mr William Austin, was completing an article for the Beds Historical Society on the Domesday Mills of the Manor of Luton. He hoped Court members might help him with the situation of two mills - Stapleford, which he had no doubt was in Luton Hoo Park and vanished when the Marquis of Bute created his lake there, and Mr Barber's Mill, which in the time of Elizabeth I would have been near Barber's Lane after the old Church Mill was done away with after the dissolution of the monasteries.