'Aeroplanist' pays two flying visits

 

Digest of stories from The Luton News: Thursday, March 22nd, 1917.

Aeroplane flight attempt, Leagrave 1909

  • First local attempt at powered flight, in Leagrave in October 1909.

On Sunday afternoon something of a local sensation was caused by two visits of an aeroplanist in the vicinity of Ashburnham Road.

The airman was Captain Ball, the hero of many aerial encounters with the German flying men, and the feted of Nottingham.to Luton. He first of all alighted from a one-seater in Crawley’s field, at the back of Red Rails allotments, and the second visit was in a two-seater when he offered to take the Mayor for a flight. In the absence of the Mayor, Police Inspector Duncombe promptly seized the opportunity, and thoroughly enjoying the novel experience.

It appears the Captain was once billeted in Ashburnham Road, when the 1st North Midlands were stationed at Luton, and thought he would like to see the town in which he had spent so many happy hours. In an incredibly short time, a large crowd had assembled, but Insp Janes, Pc Wright and the several special constables who were soon on the spot had no difficulty in preserving order.

Interviewed afterwards, Inspector Duncombe enthusiastically exclaimed: “I would not have missed it for ￡5. It was beautiful. We ascended to a great height, but there was nothing alarming in the experience."

Asked if he would take a lady up into the clouds, the brave officer said he should like to, but he had certain regulations to conform to.

"I am very glad to have had the opportunity of feeling what it is like to skim at a tremendous rate through the air. It took my breath away at first, and once or twice I thought we should crash into haystacks and the like. It was a little creepy to see these obstacles pass like a flash under the machine. The Captain has wonderful control and guided the aeroplane with the ease of a practised motorman. I felt as safe as being in a motor car."

  • For an hour and a half before the ordinary public business on Monday morning the Luton Board of Guardians were engaged on relief cases, and one case in particular justified the strong denunciation of an ex-soldier who, although in receipt of a handsome pension and able to earn a good wage in addition, allowed his wife and four children to become chargeable to the rates. So bad were some of the revelations brought about by the appearance of the man and his wife before the Board that the woman was advised to sue for a separation, and one member told the husband he deserved to be thrashed. Another case concerned the wife of an interned German.

  • We learn from Mrs J. W. Green, commandant of Wardown V.A.D. Hospital, that Lieut Turner, on behalf of the Anti-Aircraft Football Club, has contributed a donation of ￡2 to Wardown Hospital. It was the balance of their accounts when they left Luton.

  • The deaths were reported of two young children whose fathers were serving in the Army abroad. Cissie Mabel, four-year-old youngest daughter of Mrs Else, of 56 Queen Street, had suffered heart trouble. Her father was a private in the Army Ordnance Corps, now serving in Egypt. And the two-year-old son of Pte and Mrs Alfred Bunker, of 14 Essex Street, occurred after a short illness while his father was serving with the Royal Fusiliers in France.

  • We are informed that Mrs H. L. Owen, of 94 Wellington Street, has been appointed a sub-postmistress and there will now be a new Wellington Street sub-post office. She commenced duties yesterday.

  • Many Luton people, and especially the members of King Street Congregational Church, will learn with deep regret of the death of an old friend, the Rev R. Cynon Lewis, at his residence in Swansea on Monday after a lengthy illness. He came to King Street from March 1890 until his resignation in 1898.

  • On Saturday afternoon Drive McClive, who is attached to a battery at Beech Hill, was driving a horse attached to a military float along Crawley Road when he lost control of the animal, which dashed across New Bedford Road, knocking down Iris Draper, of 22 Crawley Road and overturning a pram containing a baby. The infant happily escaped uninjured, but the perambulator was smashed.

  • The delay in presenting the report concerning the tramways accident at Old Bedford Road and Midland Road on December 28th is attributed to the Board of Trade, who have not replied to the report presented by Mr A. E. Wray, the Manager of the tramways. This was the only item of general interest in the report to Luton Town Council of the Electricity and Tramways Committee.

  • The Luton Medical Officer's report for February showed the notification of 17 cases of infectious diseases, including eight of diphtheria and four of measles, but resulting in a gratifying reduction in the number of patients at Spittlesea Hospital. There were 91 births in Luton during the month (six stillborn) and 75 deaths, 14 being children under the aged of 14. The average age of the deceased was just under 49 years.

  • ROLL OF HONOUR: Pte Edgar Frederick Ambridge (Leicester Regt); Trooper Harold Anderson (Household Battalion); Pte Alfred Bent (Northants Regt); Second Lieut Ralph Wycombe Butcher - missing); Pte Herbert William Carter (Middlesex Regt); Pte Alfred Ernest Dyer (Beds Regt); Pte George Flitton (Northants Regt - missing); Pte George Gatward (Royal Fusiliers); Pte Herbert Thomas Oliver (Royal Fusiliers); Pte Charles Henry Pearson (Northants Regt); Second Lieut Meredyth Robert Owen Williams (Northumberland Fusiliers).