One of the first, if not the very first among Lutonians to have the distinction of receiving the newly issued 1914 Star, known as the Mons Medal, is ex-Pte J. O'Donnell, who served in the Irish Guards as a reservist in the retreat from Mons, and early in the war sustained wounds which necessitated his discharge from the service.

'Pat,' as he is well known locally, was formerly employed at the Skefko Works, and up to the signing of the armistice held a post at Woolwich Arsenal.

It was only on Friday that the issue of the medal to the Guards and certain other regiments was announced, and on Saturday Pat presented himself at Chelsea Barracks and received his.

The medals are of a bright bronze with the name, number and regiment of the recipient inscribed on the back, and the watered red, white and blue ribbon accompanying them is particularly pretty.

[The Luton Reporter: Tuesday, January 14, 1919]