On Friday, April 30th, 1915, Second Lieut Ronald Marmaduke Dawnay Harvey, 4th North Staffs, who was attached to the 1st Bedfords, was reported believed to have been killed after earlier being reported wounded. [CWGC records show he was killed on April 20th at Hill 60 (Sanctuary Wood Cemetery)].

On the same day, L-Cpl J. Eames, 8132, Pte R. Hornett, 8068,and Pte C. H. White, 8625, all Bedfordshire Regiment, were reported missing and unofficially reported to be prisoners.

An interesting letter has been received by Mr and Mrs Harry Chapman, of 31 Ashburnham Road, Luton, from their son Horace, who is in the firing line with the 1/24th London Regiment (Queen's).

The Government proposals for dealing with the drink problem have been keenly criticised from opposite points of view. By some they are said to go beyond the needs of the case, and by others not to go far enough. It may be found on mature consideration that they contrive in a general way to strike the happy mean.

Chief Constable Teale has received a letter from the front dated April 22nd, 1915, from Bombadier A. H. Goss, 37836, Trench Mortar Battery, R.H.A., who was a member of the Borough Police Force until the outbreak of war.

From the Beds & Herts Telegraph, May 1, 1915.

Promiscuity and war babies was a scandal threatening to engulf Luton - and the finger was being pointed from Birmingham.

A correspondent of the Saturday Telegraph travelled to Norwich to spend some days with the 5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. This was his report.

Plans for Peace Day celebrations in Luton were first considered in February 1919, three months after the end of hostilities, when the Town Council voted a halfpenny rate (£545) towards meeting the cost, with the hope that there would be other financial contributions from within the community.

From The Luton News, April 29th, 1915.

Many Luton lads in the recruiting rush shortly after the outbreak of war joined the 24th Battalion County of London Regiment then stationed at St Albans and later at Hatfield. The battalion was now at the front, among their number Pte H. Webb, 2898, son of Mr and Mrs George Webb, of 70 Princess Street, Luton.

In the Beds Regt casualty lists published on April 26th, 1915, it was reported that Second Lieut E. L. Kelly and Second Lieut C. S. Kirch, of the 1st Battalion, were killed on April 20th, while Second Lieut J. T. T. Darbishire, 4th Battalion (attached to the 1st) and Second Lieut W. Ramsay, 2nd Battalion, were wounded on the same day. Casualties in the ranks in the same lists included:

KILLED

*Pte A. C. Cook, 7866, 1st Battalion

*Pte H. Feary, 7549, 1st Battalion

During the last few days the Germans have developed another attack on the lines of the Allies north of Ypres. The fortunes of the great battle have swayed this way and that. Villages have been taken and retaken and occasions have been given for the display of of many splendid acts of heroism on the part of our troops.

Luton men called up for railway duties with the National Reserve were inspected by the Brigadier-General Goldsmith and Headquarters Staff on April 9th, 1915. They are at present doing duty on the Midland Railway at Irchester, Northants.

Sgt A. Stimpson - 55 May Street, Luton

Cpl W. Hooker - 17 St Paul's Road, Luton

Cpl T. Waters - 59 Ash Road, Luton

L-Cpl W. Croft - 17 Warwick Road, Luton

L-Cpl G. Powell - 4 Granville Road, Luton

Pte A. Applebee - 19 Oak Road, Luton

Pte A. Brown - 48 Hitchin Road, Luton

Since the Luton headquarters of the East Anglian Royal Engineers were moved to Biscot Road, recruiting has gone on very briskly and now a 3/2nd Field Company is rapidly approaching completion. The latest recruits up to April 1915 are:

SAPPERS

W. Astling

R. Ambridge

E. Andrews

T. Ashby

S. E. Barton

E. Bates

E. Blunt

F. Buss

W. J. Butt

H. Chalkley

H. W. Church

S. J. Clarke

H. Crick

F. W. Crowe

A. Darton

R. Ebden

F. Field

From Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph, April 24th, 1915

The 2/1, 2/2 and 2/3 North Midland Division Field Ambulances paraded in Wardown Park on Thursday afternoon for inspection by Lieut-General Sir A. E. Codrington.

The following casualties among the Bedfordshire Regiment were reported on April 23rd, 1915.

KILLED IN ACTION

Drmr William Charles Horne (27), 8840, 2nd Battalion, March 31, 1915 (Le Touret Memorial)

Pte Frederick Lawrence, 3/6115, 32 Duke Street, Luton, 1st Battalion, March 29th, 1915 (Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres)

Acting-Sgt Joseph John Smith (29), 9232, 1st Battalion, March 30th, 1915 (Le Touret Memorial)

DIED OF WOUNDS

From The Luton News, April 22nd, 1915.

A second son of Mr and Mrs Henry Smart, of 92 Bury Park Road, Luton, has officially been reported killed in action. The War Office said Acting Corporal Henry George Smart, 7018, 1st Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment, died near Armentieres on March 21st.