Digest of stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: March 17th, 1917.

Wednesday evening's Borough Tribunal sitting was relieved in an astonishing way. For the first time that authority was requested to permit the withdrawal of an exemption certificate by a conscientious objector whose "eyes had been opened to the light".

Nineteen-year-old former Luton bank clerk George D. Backhouse, from a Quaker family previously living in Harpenden, wrote in a letter: "I have the pleasure of returning to you my exemption certificate, as I am no longer fulfilling the conditions stated thereon. I have been trying to gain admission to the H.A.C. [Honourable Artillery Company] to which headquarters I proceeded yesterday.

"I have served as a private for six months on a hospital ship out in the Eastern Mediterranean and also between Le Havre and Southampton. Somehow being amongst wounded troops, my mind became more open to see that I was not doing as much for my country as I ought to have done. Hence my resignation."

In a second letter he wrote: "I really felt that when I was tending wounded patients on the Glenart Castle I should have been in their place, instead of being in comparative safety unpon he waters. I felt, indeed, that all our brave soldiers who had risked their lives for their country, their King and me were the real heroes."

When he applied for exemption on conscientious grounds last August, he was supported in his application by members of the Society of Friends, and the exemption was granted subject the the applicant taking duty with the Friends' Ambulance Unit.

In formally granting the applicant's request several members of the Tribunal expressed their deep appreciation of his "heroic" decision. Mayor Alderman John Staddon said: "Such a patriotic request afforded much gratification to all present."

• Two airmen were killed and one seriously injured in a remarkable flying accident in Hertfordshire when a double-seater machine fell from a high altitude and in its descent struck another aeroplane which was flying below, both being brought to the ground. Death from misadventure was the verdict at an inquest yesterday on the officers killed - Lieut E. R. Mackey and Second Lieut G. S. Raine, Royal Flying Corps. The collision occurred 800 ft up.

• A statement fixing minimum retail prices for tea and coffee was issued yesterday by the Food Controller. The arrangement made with traders is that the charge will be: Tea, from May 1st, 2s 2d per lb; coffee, at once, 1s 6d per lb.

• In continuation of the choir festival at the Waller Street Wesleyan Church last Sunday,the faithful and devoted services of the choirmaster, Mr James Congreve, was recognised. Mr Congreve has for a quarter of a century conducted the proceedings of the musical section of the church. Mr and Mrs Congreve were presented with an inscribed silver rose bowl, and Mr Congreve additionally with a wallet containing an appreciable sum. [James Congreve (pictured, left) with the Waller Street Wesleyan Choir in a Frederick Thurston photo taken on Easter Monday 1908.]

• A farmer in the district, like many others has been denuded of labour, and to the lay mind it seems unpardonable that even his milkers were taken away. In the last resort he employed a schoolboy, aged 11, in the morning and his own little daughter in the afternoon. In due time came down the School Attendance Officer, and the parents were summoned on account of the irregular attendance of the small boy (who milked seven cows at 5 o'clock in the morning), and duly fined. What possibilities are not opened up to lads who could at this time of emergency be excused school attendance in some measure for such necessary and beneficial labour?

• Among the officer casualties published on Saturday appears the name of Second Lieut F. W. Meyer, Bedfordshire Regiment, who is reported as wounded. He is the son of Mrs Meyer, of Ashburnham Road, Luton.

• Lieut Wilfred Staddon, eldest son of the Mayor and Mayoress who has been home recuperating after being wounded in France, has gone into hospital at Cambridge this week for further treatment. The Mayor and Mayoress were motoring to Cambridge this afternoon to see him.

• True art was witnessed at the grand concert at the Assembly Hall last night, given in support of the British Club for Belgian soldiers, which provides the Belgian soldier with a home and comfort when taking well-deserved rest from the Front. Several famous Belgian artistes gave their services voluntarily, and the audience are looking forward to a speedy return.

• Brilliant sunshine has heralded the first flag day in Luton for 1917. The emblems sold were pansies in aid of the Y.W.C.A., and money raised will be devoted to the building of hostels and canteens for munition girls.

• About 6 am today, Driver Albert Hewitt, of the R.F.A., was at riding school when a horse reared and kicked his right leg, inflicting severe injuries. He was conveyed to the Bute Hospital.

• The members of Luton's Watch Committee are faced with a by no means easy task in the selection of Chief Constable to succeed the late David Teale. Over 60 applications have been received from all parts of the country, and they include some exceedingly superior police officers. A the committee meeting on Monday evening, probably three or more of the selected candidates will be chosen for interview before the Council proceeds to the election of the new officer.

• Crowd violence marred Luton Town's London Combination game against Brentford at Griffin Park this afternoon. Two Simms goals in the last three minutes of the match gave Luton victory over the Bees, who led 1-0 at the interval. At the close the local spectators made an ugly rush for referee Annal as he made his way to the dressing room. Several blows were deliberately aimed at the referee, who was not seriously hurt thanks to the home goalkeeper, who protected him but was himself floored by a Metropolitan Police officer. It was a long time before the ground was cleared, but the referee eventually got away without further molestation. It was a controversial decision that led to Luton's first goal that resulted in the disturbance.