Mayoral Day celebrated in Luton

Digest of stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: November 9th, 1918.

Mayoral Day was celebrated in Luton today in an atmosphere of expectation. The possibility of a peace proclamation or the signing of the armistice by Germany attracted even a larger crowd than usual, and the ceremony was performed with due solemnity.

Punctually at noon the Council assembled. The outgoing Mayor (Councillor Charles Dillingham) at once called upon Councillor Yarrow, who said: “Mr Mayor, Aldermen, Councillors and fellow burgesses, we meet today to perform a very important and interesting function, viz to elect the gentleman who shall discharge the duties of chief magistrate and occupy the civic chair for the coming year, and to invest him with the insignia of office. I have therefore the greatest pleasure in moving the resolution:

“That Henry Impey, Esquire, of Whitecroft, London Road, Luton, a Councillor of this Borough, be and he is hereby elected Mayor of the Borough of Luton for the ensuing year.

“I think it is very gratifying, Mr Mayor, that since the incorporation of the Borough, the Council have always been able to find candidates able and public-spirited enough among those elected by the burgesses to transact the work of the town, to stand for this important position. The gentlemen who is the past have served the office of Mayor have invariably been selected on the ground of ability, coupled with long and faithful service, and I am pleased to say the subject of this resolution is no exception to the rule.” Councillor Impey was elected unanimously.

[With events that were due to unfold in July 1919, there was in hindsight perhaps an unintended irony in Councillor Yarrow's prediction during the ceremony: “Mr Mayor, we are entering on the most eventful year the town has ever experienced, an epoch in our history.”]

  • The retiring Mayor was presented with a silver epergne bearing the Borough coat of arms, and an illuminated address which read: “Presented to Councillor Charles Dillingham JP by the Council and Officers of the Borough of Luton upon the conclusion of his Mayoralty, 9th November, 1918.”

  • Shortly afterwards, a gold watch was presented to the Town Clerk with the inscription: “Presented to William Smith, Town Clerk, by Charles Dillingham JP CC, in recognition of his valuable help to me during my year of office as Mayor of Luton, November 9th, 1918.”

  • Mr Frederick Thurston presented a portrait in colour of the new Mayor for the Council portrait gallery. Councillor Impey accepted with thanks.

  • The Town Clerk suggested the appointment of a small committee to assist in arrangements for peace celebrations, and the following were appointed – The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Aldermen Oakley and Arnold, Councillors Primett, Barford, Yarrow and Escott.

  • Five hundred and twenty five parcels of food have this week been despatched to men of the Bedfordshire Regiment who are prisoners of war. This is about the usual weekly number, but it was interesting to note that a little extra fare for Christmas was provided on this occasion.

  • The Rev H. Sutcliffe Hay, curate of the Parish Church was married on Tuesday at Clayton, near Bradford, to Miss Whitley, of that town. He left Luton for the ceremony on Monday and returns to his duties today. Mr Hay has ministered at the Parish Church for a year.

  • The influenza epidemic is still raging in Luton and district with the death rate having increased beyond 50. It is hoped, however, that with the recurrence of the cold, frosty weather this week, the epidemic will quickly be got under. The epidemic has been severely felt at Wardown V.A.D. Hospital. Soldiers are admitted with pneumonia following the influenza, and unfortunately a large percentage of the staff has been stricken with the malady. Those nurses and assistants remaining have carried on with splendid energy and deserve much praise.

  • Messrs T. & E. Neville, the Castle Street undertakers, inform us that owing to the great number of deaths from illnesses caused by the epidemic they have been quite unable to cope with the extra work thrown upon them. Realising the hopelessness of the position, Mr Neville Jnr got into touch with the local military authorities with the idea of having soldier carpenters sent to assist in coffin-making. He found, however, that no help could be forthcoming, and he immediately communicated with the Eastern Command. The result was that two soldiers who are carpenters have been promised at once, and tonight they will probably have arrived. For some time local soldiers have been lent to the cemetery authorities for digging graves.