Pte Edward Gatward, 19785, 1st Battalion Northants Regiment, was killed in action in Flanders on or soon after November 15th, 1917. Ten months later, parents George and Sarah Ann Gatward, of 61 Hartley Road, Luton, had heard no news of him but were still hopeful that he was alive.

Widow Rose and her four children Violet, George, Winifred and Phyllis, of 27 Cumberland Street, Luton, had previously received notification that her husband had been wounded earlier in France, on February 17th, 1917.

Edward had married Rose Bacchus at Luton Parish Church on December 23rd, 1909. In 1911 they were living in Lake Street, Leighton Buzzard, with children Violet and George. Edward was described in the 1911 Census as an iron moulder.

When they returned to live in Luton, Edward presumably became a postman, as he is among the six names on the Post Office roll of honour which is still displayed at Dunstable Road.