Diary: First Derby Scheme groups called up

 

Stories from The Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: January 22nd, 1916.

First Derby Scheme recruits

The men in the 2, 3, 4 and 5 Groups [single men born between 1893 and 1896] of the Derby Scheme from this district presented themselves at the Manchester Street Recruiting Office, Luton, on Thursday morning. The roll was formally called, and armlets presented, and liberty was then allowed until 2 pm, when they assembled and marched to the Midland Station to entrain for the Bedford Depot. They were examined and equipped in due course.

It is understood that the men are being called up on successive dates, and the total number for any one depot in a day is limited to 200 men, all confusion thus being avoided.

To any men uncertain about the procedure and possible requirements, it may be stated that all they have to do is present themselves - the Government and the Army do the rest. It is advisable to wear the oldest clothes and take as little as possible. Full kit will be supplied immediately to all who pass the medical examination and are accepted. They will be fed and accommodated at once.

  • It has been decided to make fresh efforts to secure by voluntary means those men who have not yet attested. The Government have decided not to reopen the canvass which existed under the old "Derby" scheme, but it was intended to support the reopening of the group system by a poster campaign and public appeals.

  • The Eastern Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C., since leaving the Dardanelles, have been highly complimented on the way they accomplished their work under great difficulties in that region. Recently at a Brigade parade, the Commanding Officer, Brigadier-General Hodgson, said that not only he, but others in higher commands, had recognised the fine work of the Luton Medicals. He was proud to be in command of such a body of men, every member of which, he was sure, had done his best to make a name for the Eastern Mounted Brigade.

  • The condition of Beechwood Road had made it a disgrace to Leagrave, a meeting of Leagrave Parish Council heard. The footpath on the road had quite disappeared and was only a quagmire. The problem had been created by the path being persistently used by military horse vehicles during the rainy season. The question was whether the owners of property on either side of the road would agree to meet the expense of repair work or whether it should be the parish council's responsibility in view of the use by the military.

  • Luton Trades and Labour Council placed Press adverts announcing that a meeting would take place at the Assembly Hall tomorrow (Sunday) evening for trades unionist. The advert said it was not a "Peace Crank Meeting," as rumoured about the town, and did not have any connection with other meetings held recently. The meeting was designed to take the opinion of trades unionists locally and to instruct the local delegate how to vote at the Labour Party conference in Bristol.

  • The YMCA vacated the Waller Street Plait hall on January 1st, and the Musketry Officer of the No 6 T.P. Artillery Training School has been informed in response to an inquiry that the Town Council would require a rent of £5 a week, inclusive of heating and lighting, for the use of the hall as a school for musketry.

  • The last in the series of friendly games with military teams resulted in a record score for the season for Luton Town FC. Opponents the 3/1st North Midland Field Coy Royal Engineers lost 11-0, with Wileman (6), Roe (2), Butcher, Inwoods and Upton (ex-Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspur) the scorers for the Blues. Upton was hoping to turn out for the Town in forthcoming London Combination games, including the benefit match against Watford next Saturday with proceeds going to the Footballers' Battalion Comforts Fund.