Stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: June 24th, 1916.

About 70 Lutonians swore allegiance to become Volunteers of the 1st Beds Regiment at an animated meeting at the Town Hall on Thursday evening. The gathering was of a memorable, patriotic and enthusiastic character. For half an hour or so the 70 "good men and true" were busy answering questions and filling up their forms of enrolment.

The swearing in of these men, representative of all classes, ages and physiques, with hands uplifted, was an impressive spectacle, and the whole of the procedure augured well for the attainment of the wish voiced by the Commandant, Mr H. Cumberland Brown, that South Beds shall have a Battalion of its own.

The Mayor (Alderman J. H. Staddon) said he took it they now realised more than ever that the Government and the country recognised them as men prepared to render some service if called upon. It had been his pleasing duty, on the strong representation of the Military Representative, to invite certain conditionally exempted appellants who had appeared before the local Tribunal to enrol in the Volunteer Corps.

Whatever arguments might have been advanced in the past by those who were opposed to the volunteer movement, it was now generally conceded that all men who took advantage of the training provided were far the better for it, especially if subsequently their services were required in the regular Army.

• The official intimation is in this morning's papers of the death of L-Cpl Walter Dumpleton, of 33 Burr Street, Luton. He was with the 1/5th Bedfordshire Regiment when they made their big charge at Suvla Bay [Gallipoli] last August, and he was reported missing. Since then nothing more has been heard of him, and the intimidation of his death is therefore officially notified.

• An alarming discover was made on Thursday just before noon by soldiers on the road between Luton and Dunstable. They found a man lying at the side of the road with a deep cut in his throat and he had lost a lot of blood. A military doctor rendered first aid, and the man was brought to the Luton Workhouse infirmary and there is no reason to suppose that he will not recover. It transpires that his name is John William Johnson, a pedlar aged 52, of Sutton, Surrey, and we believe he had lost a son in the war.

• Messrs Vyse, Sons and Co Ltd are dealing with the problem of replacing their married travellers who have been called to the Colours in a very practical and patriotic manner. Mr Johnson, wife of Mr G. D. Johnson, is now Messrs Vyse's representative in the North-East ground, and Mrs Hanbury, the wife of Mr R. J. Hanbury, their South Coast representative. Both these ladies had practical experience of the millinery business before their marriage. The Drapers' Record congratulates Messrs Vyse on the steps taken, which they are sure will commend themselves to all their customers.

• St Saviours Sunday School treat took place on Wednesday, the destination being Totternhoe Knolls. No fewer than 14 brakes laden with 350 children and adults left about 1 pm. The weather was good and the youngsters thoroughly enjoyed the games and rambles.

• Today in Luton is Alexandra Rose Day, and once again an appeal has been made and responded to. This year Bute Hospital divides the results with the Children's Home.

• On Wednesday next an important meeting will be held at Northampton, convened by the Board of Control, at which the licensing authorities and representatives of the brewing trade will attend. The advisability of placing Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire under the restrictions of the Central Board of Control will be considered. If these limitations are approved, the licensed house in the area affected would be open only from 12 to 2.30 and 6 to 9. There are optimistic conjectures among county license-holders that Bedfordshire may not, after all, be placed under the Order, though a reservation is made in regard to the borough of Luton.

• Young and old alike will be delighted to hear of the visit of Lord John Sanger's Royal Circus and Menagerie to Luton on Wednesday. There will be two performances, at 3 pm and 8 pm, at the Tramway Terminus, Dunstable Road.