Digest of stories from The Luton News: Thursday, October 3rd, 1918.

A Lutonian Jack Tar was fittingly honoured at Dover last week when he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal at the hands of Vice-Admiral Sir Roger Keyes for a splendid act during the raid on Ostend*. This hero is Seaman Cyril George Slough (pictured right), son of Mr William Slough, hat manufacturer, of 6 Dudley Street, Luton.

He is on Motor Launch 276, and its commander, Lieut-Col R. Bourke, DSO, RNVR, received the Victoria Cross for the exploit in which Seaman Slough was engaged.

In describing the deed, The Daily News of August 29th stated: “Lieut R. Bourke volunteered for rescue work in command of ML276, and followed Vindictive into Ostend, engaging the enemy's machine guns on both piers with Lewis guns.

“After ML254 had back out, Lieut Bourke laid his vessel alongside Vindictive to make further search. Finding no one he withdrew, but hearing cries in the water he again entered the harbour and, after a prolonged search, eventually found Lieut Sir J. Alleyne and two ratings, all badly wounded, in the water, clinging to an upended skiff, and rescued them.

“During all this time the motor launch was under a very heavy fire at close range, being hit in 55 places, once by a 6in shell – two of her small crew being killed and others wounded. The vessel was seriously damaged, and speed greatly reduced. Lieut Bourke, however, managed to bring her out and carried on until fell in with a monitor which took him in tow.”

Seaman Slough shares the honour with his commander. He is 27 years of age, and before joining the Navy two years ago was in his father's hat manufacturing business.

[* The raid on Ostend and Zeebrugge in Belgium was carried out on St George's Day, April 23rd, 1918, with the aim of damaging the German-held ports and blocking egress for enemy submarines, torpedo boats and ships from inland docks in Bruges via Ostend and Zeebrugge.]

• After having been in France only 14 weeks, Cpl Ewart Foster (pictured right), of the Suffolk Regiment, attached to the Staffords, has received the Military Medal. His parents reside at 10 Kenilworth Road, and his father is a departmental manager for Messrs Hucklesby, hat merchants. The news is contained in a letter which the young soldier – only 19 years of age – has written home. He modestly refrains from saying more than that he has gained the medal, and that it was to have been presented on September 18th. He has also been recommended for a commission. Cpl Foster is an old boy of the Modern School. Later he was a draughtsman and then a supervisor for Messrs George Kent Ltd. He joined up in January 1917.

• The friends of Colour Sgt Archie Gilder, son of Mr William Gilder, of Moor Street, and who is now stationed at Crowborough, will be pleased to hear that he was recently mentioned in dispatches for valuable services rendered. He is a most useful member of the orderly room in a Bedfordshire battalion.

• Mrs Stevens, 16 Chequer Street, Luton, has been notified that her son, Sgt Bert Stevens, of the Essex Regiment, is suffering from severe gunshot wounds in the shoulder and chest, and is now in hospital at Richmond Park, Surrey. This is the second time the NCO has been wounded. He is 21, and formerly worked at the Diamond Foundry. His father is serving in Egypt.

• Mr and Mrs Tearle, of 22 Ashton Road, Luton, have received a letter from their son, Pte Richard W. Tearle, Royal Fusiliers, stating that he was wounded by an explosive bullet which has fractured the left elbow. This is the second time this young soldier, who is just 19, has been wounded, but he anticipates a longer rest this time, for the doctors have informed him that it will be a matter of nine months before he is well. He arrived in England last week. Pte Tearle had been in the Red Cross Band for five or six years, and before joining the Colours he worked in the coal trade with his father.

• The four brothers Fleckney, from Darley Hall, are reported to be in hospital. Pte Lionel, the last to go to France, has recently sustained a bullet wound in the right leg, and is not in Exeter War Hospital. Pte Alfred, who has seen considerable service in France, is wounded in the side and is not in England. Pte Leonard and Pte Herbert are down with illness in France. As far as can be gathered, all are doing well.

• A fire occurred on Sunday night at the blockmaking premises of Mr Fred Scott at Inkerman Street, causing great damage and creating much alarm in the neighbourhood. The alarm was raised about 10pm, but there is no clue to the origin of the fire.

• On Thursday night Percy Champkin, who lodges at 17 Newcombe Road, was working at the Diamond Foundry when a machine caught his left hand and severed four finger. First aid was rendered and he is now in the Bute Hospital.

• An interesting wedding took place on Saturday at Christ Church, when Miss A. M. Woodcroft, daughter of Sgt E. Woodcroft (Bedfordshire Regiment), of 78 Ivy Road, was married to Pte Cecil Matson, son of Mr H. Matson, of Raunds, near Wellingborough. The bride is a munition worker, and the bridegroom has been in France for three years.

• A rather remarkable accident occurred about 9.10pm on Sunday in Dunstable Road, at the Dallow Road corner. A tram was being driven somewhat slowly in the direction of the Town Hall when it ran into two men who were standing in the track. It was very dark at the time, and the driver apparently did not see the men, who on their part could not have heard or seen the car approach. The men were both bruised considerably, William Perry, of High Town Road, being badly hurt in the shoulder and leg. Both, however, had a lucky escape, and afterwards were able to go home.

• On Monday morning about 10.15, two motor cars collided in Church Street. One car, owned by Vauxhall Motors, was being driven along St Mary's Road, and the other, belonging to Messrs George Kent Ltd, down Church Street. Owing to a number of carts being pulled up on both sides of the road, the drivers did not see each other and there was a sharp collision. The drivers and occupants were severely shaken, but otherwise escaped.

• The Luton Prisoners of War Committee received a letter with a £2 donation from old Lutonian Mrs Rowley at Truro in Canada. The former Miss M. A. Saunders, of Park Cottage, People's Park, wrote: “Trusting it may help you provide a littls for some poor boy who has done his bit for us. My great regret is that I cannot send more.”

• Hundreds of pounds of blackberries have been collected in the Breachwood Green neighbourhood by the residents and disposed of by Mr John Chambers to a Hitchin jam factory.

• Councillor Unwin reminded the members of Luton Town Council that some time ago they had a deplorable tramway accident in Midland Road, in which many lives were damaged and one irreparably so. He understood all claims had been paid, but the Committee at that time [December 1916] promised a report of the accident. The time had arrived when they should have it. Alderman Wilkinson promised a reply at the next meeting.