Acting Quartermaster Sergeant Arthur Andrews, of 15 Adelaide Street, Luton, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry in the field while serving with the 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry.

A married man born in early 1888, he was the son of George and Isabella Andrews, of 110 Wellington Street, Luton. He was educated at Queen Square School, Luton, and had been in the army for 12 years. He was in the rearguard action from Mons, the subsequent drive of the Germans across the Marne and the Aise, and the fighting at Hill 60 and Neuve Chapelle. He won promotion at the front.

QMS Andrews was drafted to France on August 4th and, according to The Luton News, when he went away he told his wife that he would win either the VC or DCM.

In a June 10th letter from the trenches to his wife [she was not named in newspaper reports], QMS Andrews wrote: "I have got some good news for you. I have got the DCM. It appeared in orders tonight, so that is something to be proud of. I am glad to get it for you, for it lets you know I am doing my bit.

"Everyone who has been out here all the time in the trenches deserves one, for I have seen many deeds deserving of recognition, but no officer has seen them."

Writing to his mother, QMS Andrews wrote: "I did not do anything to deserve it, for there are thousands in this war who deserve it more and don't get it. But, all the same, I am proud to receive it, for it will be something to look back at."

QMS Andrews was born at Chaul End and lived with his family at a cottage at Chaul End Farm. His father was a farm labourer. In the 1891 Census he had five sisters and a brother.

During World War One sister Hilda, the youngest member of the family, was engaged in war work, making cartridges. Brother Percy, second youngest, was serving with the Royal Engineers.

In his letter to his wife QMS Andrews enclosed a piece of shrapnel with had passed through his knapsack, plus a German officer's knapsack and a gilt badge from a German helmet.

[The Luton News, June 17th, 1915]