Pte Frederick David Smith, 200696, 1/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, wrote to parents William and Mary Ann Smith, of 7 Chobham Street, Luton, on July 24th, 1917, informing them that he was a prisoner in Turkish hands, taken four days previously.
Writing that he was being treated very well, he said: "I must explain how it happened. Five of us went back to fetch a wounded comrade, and we got surrounded and, of course, captured. In doing this I got wounded in the leg but, I am glad to say, not seriously.
"The poor comrade for whom we went back was dead when we reached him, being shot right through the heart. There are two other Luton fellows here with me, and we are all cheerful and getting plenty to eat and drink."
Frederick Smith had enlisted in the Beds Territorials on October 1st, 1914, and was sent toPalestine in February 1916. He survived the war and was repatriated.
Before the war he was employed by the Co-operative Society as a bread van man. He was aged 22 and single.
He had two brothers serving in the Royal Engineers at the time of his capture - Cpl William C. Smith in Egypt and L-Cpl Albert Smith in England.