For some weeks past rumours have been prevalent in Luton that the treatment and feeding of the men of the 5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment at Bury St Edmunds was very bad. It was evident to the South Beds Recruiting Committee that these rumours must have a very prejudicial effect on recruiting unless the lie could be given to the stories which were being circulated.

In order to get reliable information as to the condition which actually obtained, the Mayor of Luton (Councillor W. J. Primett) together with Mr H. Inwards (secretary to the committee) and Mr Murry Barford (a member of the committee) paid a surprise visit to Bury St Edmunds yesterday (March 17th).

They were motored over by Mr Arthur Brown, and before their arrival could become generally known went straight to the Skating Rink, where all the cooking is done and the whole battalion have their meals. Dinner was in course of preparation, and from a thorough examination of the joints, vegetables and puddings then being cooked and of the bacon, cheese, jam and other eatables in the stores, the deputation thoroughly satisfied themselves that as far as the quality of the food was concerned there was not the slightest cause for complaint.

Later they saw Major Brighten, who is in command of the battalion, and when the men sat down to dinner they went about amongst them, making inquiries of the men to see whether they wished to make any complaints. From what they saw they were again absolutely satisfied that there was practically no ground at all for complaints, and that not only was the food excellent in quality, but also that in quantity it was more than ample.

One company was engaged in exercise which did not permit their return for dinner, and it was found that one of the four travelling kitchens with which the battalion is equipped was out with this company, which was served in the field with a hot dinner of exactly the same kind as was being served at the depot.

It was also brought to the deputation's notice that great improvements have been effected in the serving of the meals at the depot, and it was stated that further improvements are to be put into effect almost immediately to obviate any possible chance of the unequal distribution of the food supplies.

From what this deputation could gather, practically the only grumblers were just a few who appeaed to forget that it was war time, and that now they are in training they could not have quite all the comforts which might be obtainable in their homes.

The men of the battalion appeared to be in very fine form, and thoroughly fit to take their place at the front, to which they are expected to go very shortly.

On March 20th, the Saturday Telegraph published a diet sheet (reproduced above) showing a typical week of meals for the 5th Bedfords at Bury St Edmunds. It was sent from Brigadier General de Winton to Mr Harry Inwards, secretary of the local recruiting committee, accompanied by a letter saying he was "absolutely amazed at the statements that have been made by mischievous people with regard to the Imperial Service Battalion of the 5th Beds. All are certainly false, and I am at a loss to explain their origin. With regard to the feeding arrangements, I consider them to be the best in the whole Brigade. I have always been most particular on this point."

[The Luton News, March 18th, 1915, and Saturday Telegraph, March 20th, 1915]