Farewell to Tank Egbert

Digest of stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: July 13th, 1918.

Market Hill tank last day

  • Tank Egbert's last day in Luton, July 13th, 1918 (Photo: W. H. Cox).

Two hours from the time the first purchaser of the Saturday Telegraph reads this, Tank Week will be at an end. Egbert's visit to Luton will mark an epoch in the period of war, especially if he leaves the town with expectations realised.

His presence was to some degree inopportune, and it is safe to say now that the total would have been nearer £750,000 than £500,000 but for a curious combination of circumstances, chief of which is that men have been afraid to invest because they were not sure they would not be required to make provision for their family during the period in which they were called up to another sphere of national service. Under all circumstances, we feel that if anything approaching the half-million is reached, Luton has done very creditably indeed.

The highest amount yet invested at the Tank Bank at one time is that of Messrs Frickers Metal Co - £30,000 on Monday. At 3.30 this afternoon the total on the Tank thermometer stood at £440,000.

The tank will leave its moorings between seven and eight o'clock this evening, and will be escorted to the station by a guard of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, who have been called to parade for the purpose at 6.45pm. Prior to the departure there will be a short leave-taking ceremony at 7.15. Egbert will be put on rail at the Great Northern Station en route for Grimsby, where a campaign opens on Monday morning.

  • It was reported at last night Luton Chamber of Commerce meeting that an overwhelming number of members were in favour of closing down warehouses during August Bank Holiday week. Alderman Staddon said that with short staffs it was only fair to give the employees a week's rest. It was decided to recommend general closing.

  • At the same meeting, Alderman Staddon said Luton's staple trade (hats) was being drained of manpower. He said it was a mistake and a suicidal policy for an industry which had to be maintained after the war, with a considerable amount of export which was necessary. At the moment everything was ruled out by the Ministry of National Service. The whole thing from a trade and business standpoint was one absurd muddle.

  • A 16-year-old youth who at Luton Borough Police Court on Wednesday admitted stealing the £1 5s 5d with which he was to pay his landlady's baker's bill was remanded to a White Cross League home for a month so that arrangements could be made for him to be sent to Canada, as suggested by his father.

  • Considerable interest was taken in the sale by auction on Tuesday of Hexton Manor. For £75,000 the manor came into the possession of Sir James Hill, of Salome, Bradford, an MP for the city since January 1916. For upwards of 20 years the estate had been in the possession of Mr G. H. Hodgson, who had spent a considerable sum on the Georgian mansion, but is obliged to live abroad for health reasons.