Stories from The Luton News: Thursday, March 23rd, 1916.

The first cases of men who failed to present themselves on being called up for service under the Military Service Act were heard by Mr George Warren and Mr Edwin Oakley at a special sitting of the Luton Divisional Sessions. There were two defendants, one from Stopsley and the other from Lewsey, and both were fined and detained for escort.

Gordon Saunders, Ramridge End, Stopsley, was charged with having failed to join the Colours on March 10th, and therefore being an absentee under Section 15, Reserve Forces Act 1882.

Major L. Order, recruiting officer at Luton, produced defendant's registration card which showed him to be 25, unmarried and therefore subject to the Act. The calling-up book showed he had notice to present himself on March 10th but did not do so.

The defendant said he conscientiously objected. He was in a good business and was helping the nation by helping his father, who was unwell and had not got a man to do anything. He was told he had forfeited his chance of going before the local Tribunal to state his case before March 2nd.

Fred Davis, Lewsey Cottage, Lewsey, was similarly charged with having failed to present himself on March 4th. Major Orde said the defendant was 19, and therefore under the Act.

When arrested the defendant was working on the farm and thought he was doing as much goods there as in the Army, but he was still willing to join. He was told he must still be treated as an absentee.

Both men were fined the minimum of 40 shillings with 5s 6d costs and handed over to the military authorities. The Chairman said as these were the first cases they would be dealt with leniently but defendants could be fined up to £25.

• Official notification has been received by John Bunker, of 75 Beech Road, Luton, and formerly of London Road Lodge, Stockwood, that his son, Pte John Bunker, aged 19, of the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards, has been killed in action in France.

• Mr and Mrs Thomas Everitt, of 12 Harcourt Street, Luton, have this week received notification of the death of their eldest son, Pte Thomas Everitt, aged 35, who had lived at Hemel Hempstead with his wife and six children. Mr and Mrs Everitt lost their other son, Frederick, last September at Loos after he had been at the front only three weeks.

• The roll of honour for the Skefko Ball Bearing Co Ltd, Leagrave Road, Luton, has now been completed as far as it is possible to do so at present. It contains the names and photographs of all the employees who have joined H.M. Forces. The preparation of the memorial was entrusted to Mr W. H. Cox, who has succeeded in producing a splendid memorial of the patriotism of the Skefko men, and one which will prove a valuable and artistic reminder in the years to come of the part they played in the Great War. The lettering and illumination of the roll of honour in gold and colours was carried out by Mr Frederic May.

• The Luton Borough Tribunal had a shorter list of cases for Saturday's sitting, but dealing with them took from 2.30 until nearly 8 o'clock. In several instances single men who appealed were asked to seriously consider whether they could be left when married men had to be taken. Some of the married men were among the cases dealt with.

• The Appeals Tribunal for Bedfordshire sat yesterday for the first time. The sitting was held in the Council Chamber of Luton Town Hall and the morning and part of the afternoon devoted to appeals by conscientious objectors. But for one adjournment, most appeals failed because most were considered not to be of long standing and were opinions adopted lightly, recently or for the purpose of the inquiry. Leave was refused for the cases to be further heard by the Central Appeals Tribunal.

• One more of the almost vanished band of heroes who fought for the country in the Crimean War was laid to rest on Tuesday. Lutonian Mr Joseph Sinfield, who died on March 16th at the age of 81, had been a gunner in the Royal Marine Artillery and was at the siege of Sebastopol during his service in the Crimea between 1854 and 1856. He also served in Japan, China and the Mediterranean. The funeral took place at the Church Cemetery, and full military honours were accorded with a firing party of 16 R.F.A. men plus six buglers, all from Biscot Camp. The coffin was carried on a gun carriage drawn by seven horses, and the cortege was led by the Northants Yeomanry Band.

• Damage was caused by a fire which occurred at one o'clock on Friday morning at 21 Cheapside, Luton, a jeweller's establishment occupied by Mr Bert S. Howard. The blaze broke out in the workroom and a number of clocks and watches were destroyed. Firemen quickly dealt with the outbreak.

• Was Luton responsible for the incidence of infectious disease in the Luton Rural District Council area? The question was posed after Medical Officer Dr John Rollings' annual report pointed out that in the parishes of Caddington, Limbury, Leagrave, Hyde and Stopsley - all neighbouring on to Luton - there were a total of 12 cases of scarlet fever with only eight in the remainder of the area, and 39 cases of diphtheria with only one elsewhere. Most cases of infectious disease were removed to the Kensworth Isolation Hospital and the remaining patients isolated at home. There was one death each from scarlet fever and diphtheria. Additionally there had been a number of cases of diphtheria and one of enteric fever at a military camp where conditions were by no means hygienic.