Tank Week excitement

Digest of stories from the Luton News: Thursday, July 11th, 1918.

Tank Egbert on Market Hill

'Egbert' is the name of the tank which arrived in Luton from Wales on Monday morning, and is now stationed under the shadow of the Corn Exchange, as a guardian of Britain's genius and resource, and not less as a token of her need.

Since Lady Wernher performed the opening ceremony of Tank Bank Week, there has been no little excitement over the gifts of certificates by various gentlemen, firms and institutions, and a goodly number have gone away with more than they anticipated.

On Tuesday, the children of the various schools marched to the Tank and were permitted to look inside. On their behalf a sum of £2,500 was invested.

On Wednesday morning the contribution of Messrs George Kent Ltd's War Savings Committee gave a fillip with £3,500. The British Shoe Co and the Palace Theatre each came along with £1,000.

In the enclosure itself the temporary Post Office has done a brisk business, Mr J. Leiper, the Postmaster, personally supervising the arrangements.

Last year Luton contributed to the war coffers of the nation in bonds and certificates £800,000. So far this year only £200,000 has come to hand, and it was definitely stated that an effort would be made to raise, by means of the Tank, £750,000. But it would be thought that the town had done well if £600,000 was secured.

When the Tank closed on Monday night the full total to 9pm was £164,305; on Tuesday night £201,539; last night £225,000. It is hoped the town will rise to the occasion on the last two days and attain the financial objective.

  • At a meeting of the Luton Prisoners of War Committee at the Town Hall yesterday, the Town Clerk, as Hon Secretary, reported that the receipts to June 30th amounted to £2,363 15s 6d and payments to £2,134 7s 3d, leaving a balance of £229 6s 3d. There had been 3,675 parcels dispatched. In the last half year the prisoners had increased from 27 to 104, involving an expenditure of about £150 a fortnight, equal to £3,900 a year.

  • The Mayor has received a Military Medal for presentation to L-Sgt Percy Charles Whitworth, 22382, Dorset Regiment, from Luton. His Worship desires to follow the wishes of the Government and present this on Friday or Saturday, before the Tank leaves Luton.

  • The Governors of Luton Modern School and Technical Institution met at the Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon. They decided that as from the autumn term 1918, French rather than German or Latin shall be the first foreign language taken in the Modern School.

  • A circular saw at the works of Messrs Elvey, Waller Avenue, Leagrave, deprived Percival Covington, a youth living in Letchworth Road, Leagrave, of three fingers yesterday afternoon. He was taken to the Bute Hospital in a milk float, and he is now undergoing treatment.

  • About 3.30 on Friday afternoon a live overhead tramway wire broke at the junction of the Wardown and Dunstable Road routes and fell into the street. Fortunately no-one was hurt, and the damage was soon repaired.

  • The engagement is announced of Pte J. Barlow, (Australian Imperial Force), eldest son of Mrs E. C. Barlow, of Sydney, Australia, to Lily, only daughter of Mr and Mrs S. Lovett, of Wenlock Street, Luton.

  • A 43lb salmon has been caught in Loch Ness by Mr E. Graham-Falcon, of Bedford, and lessee of the Luton Grand Theatre. It is believed to be a record for rod and line on the loch.