Rifleman Joseph Cogans, 5556, 10th Battalion King's Royal Rifles, was reported missing, presumed killed, in Flanders on November 30th, 1917.

It was nearly three months before his widowed mother Elizabeth was informed at 27 Dorset Street, Luton, with the hope that he might have been taken prisoner. She appealed through The Luton News for any further information about her son.

Pte Harold Stewart Lawson, 201403, 1/4th Battalion Norfolk Regiment, was killed in action in Palestine on December 11th, 1917. He was aged 19.

A letter to parents George and Ellen Lawson, who lived on Mr Cripps' Chaul End Farm, said their son was killed by a stray bullet, death being instant.

At the time of joining up at the age of 18, Harold worked at Danby's Nursery, Leagrave. He had previously worked for builder Charles Jeyes, of Windsor Street, Luton.

Chaul End-born Harold had also had a long association with the Sunday school at Caddington.

Pte William Pedder, 68552, Royal Fusiliers, was killed in action in Flanders on November 30th, 1917. He had been reported wounded and missing on that date, leading to his widow Kate appealing in The Luton News in January 1918 for any information about him.

William was the son of Albert and Harriet Pedder and a member of the family saddlery business of A. Pedder & Son, 9 Hitchin Road, Luton. He had married Kate Gertrude Bairster in Luton in 1911, Kate living at 95 Cambridge Street when she issued her appeal.

Pte Walter Alfred Horwood, 202801, 11th Battalion Essex Regiment, was killed in action in France on December 3rd, 1917. He was aged 39.

At the time that widow Martha received notification of her husband's death she was expecting him home on delayed Christmas leave after two years of service. Walter had married Martha Ellen Lawrence in Luton in 1898 and they had a son, Horace, who was himself in uniform, and a daughter, Eva. They lived at 48 Stanley Street, Luton.

Pte Sidney Medcalf, 32647, 1/4th Battalion Norfolk Regiment, was killed in action near Jerusalem on December 15th, 1917. He was aged 19.

The son of Jonathan (John) and Lizzie (nee Gurney) Medcalf, of 33 Ashton Street [later Gillam Street], Luton, he joined up in February 1917 and, after training at St Albans and Felixstowe, went to Egypt in the following August. Before the war he was employed at the Diamond Foundry in Dallow Road, Luton.

Pte George Scrivener, G/10241, 7th Battalion The Buffs (East Kent) Regiment, died on April 21st, 1917, while a prisoner of the Germans. He had developed inflammation of the bowel after being captured on November 18th, 1916. His death was eventually recorded in The Luton News on January 17th, 1918.

Born in Biscot in 1878, he had married Maria Smith at Biscot Parish Church on April 5th, 1902. The couple had two daughters - Lily Irene (born 1904) and Barbara Eleanor (1911). In 1911 they were living in Limbury, and George was working as a labourer for a nurseryman.

Second-Lieut Frank Hampson, 3rd Battalion The King's (Liverpool) Regiment, was killed in action on November 30th, 1917. He met his death while cheering his men on.

Until moving to Liverpool three years previously he had been manager of Pearks' Stores on Market Hill, Luton. At that time he was Hon Secretary of the Luton branch of the Shop Assistants' Union. He was a former President of Luton Trades Council and a founder and first President of Luton Labour Club.

Driver Stanley Fensome, 124499, Royal Field Artillery, died in hospital in Palestine on December 2nd, 1917, as the result of an infection. He was aged 22.

Stanley was the nephew of Mrs Louisa Walker, of 39 Chase Street, with whom he had lived since chldhood. He joined up in 1915, having previously worked for carter Mr Pollard, of New Town Street, Luton.

Gunner Albert Snoxell, 286028, 65th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery, died in Flanders on December 15th, 1917, from gunshot wounds. He was aged 36.

He had previously served 12 years in the Regular Army, joining the R.G.A. in January 1902. He served eight years with the Colours and four years with the Reserve, to which he was called up again on July 20th, 1917. He was drafted to France on November 9th and met his death after only five weeks.

Pte Harry Titmus, 18602, 7th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action in Flanders on December 9th, 1917. He was aged 40 and left a widow and eight children living at Sundon.

Sgt Arthur Percy Wilson DCM, 9492, 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action in Flanders on December 8th, 1917. He was aged 29 and single.

In a letter to his mother Emily at 30 Queen Street, Luton, Capt J. Coe wrote that her son was killed on the night of December 8th while out wiring.

"I have known your son since 1911, when the regiment was stationed in Bermuda and South Africa," wrote Capt Coe. "He was always a keen soldier. I must say that since I have been in command of this company he has proved himself a brave man on several occasions during the war."

Pte Charles Thomas Wallis, 47794, 14th Battalion Welsh Regiment, was killed in action in France on December 8th, 1917. He was aged 20 and single.

Charles had originally enlisted in the East Anglian Royal Engineers at the outbreak of war but was on home service until a year before his death. He was than transferred to the Welsh Regiment and went to France just before Christmas 1916. The following April he was wounded in the arm and head, but returned to France following recovery.

Pte Percy Oliver, 60380, 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, was killed in action in Flanders on August 10th, 1917.

He was the son of Amos and Eleanor Oliver, of 311 Hitchin Road, Luton. The 1911 Census records him as a 15-year-old general store assistant.

In January 1918 his mother was still appealing for any information about her son, and Percy was included on the 1918 Absent Voters' List.

Pte William Hillyard, 350282, 15th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, was killed in action at Cambrai on November 29th, 1917. He was at first reported wounded.

After twice being medically rejected, William Hillyard finally joined the King's Own Scottish Borderers at Derby in 1916. He did his training in Chelmsford and Ireland before going to France in July 1917, transferring to the Highland Light Infantry.

Driver Horace Ward, 124232, 91st Brigade Royal Field Artillery, was killed in action while taking ammunition to the firing line in Flanders on October 8th, 1917. He was given a battlefield funeral with full military honours