Digest of stories from The Luton News: Thursday, August 29th, 1918.

• Three members of the same Luton family who became prisoners of war of the Germans during March and April 1918 – left to right: L-Cpl Fred Goodman, Pte Ernest Goodman and Pte Lionel George Goodman.

A striking family record of service in the Forces is possessed by the sons of Mrs Emily Goodman, of 103 Boyle Street, Luton. Four sons, a grandson and an adopted son are still carrying on, while a fifth has recently been discharged from the Navy. It is somewhat strange that two of the sons and a grandson are prisoners of war, all having been taken about the same time.

L-Cpl Fred Goodman, 18th Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C., was captured by the enemy in March of this year in the course of the great German offensive, and is now in a war prisoners camp at Limburg.

Pte Ernest Goodman, of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, was also captured about the same time. Writing from Dulmen, Westphalia, on July 7th he reports that he is in good health but expresses a desire for cigarettes.

Gunner George Goodman, a grandson, who is not yet 20 years of age, was in hospital in Germany when last he wrote home. An old Skefko employee, he has three years Army service to his credit, and went to France in February 1917.

For further information about these and other Luton prisoners of war, click here.

• Quite a host of letters have been received at the Town Hall during the last few days from prisoners of war who received parcels. L-Cpl Fred Batchelor has been transferred to Holland, whence he writes: “I expect you will be very glad to hear that I have arrived in Holland quite safely. I am therefore writing to thank the committee for all their kindness to me while I was in Germany. I am glad to tell you that the people here are very kind; everyone in fact. After being in Germany so long and not being treated anything like a man, it seems too good. I am glad to say I am feeling A1 just now. Of course, I don't know much about the place yet, as I have only been here three day.

• After an absence of 18 months in France, the greater part spent in the firing line, Pte C. Freshwater (Machine Gun Corps), formerly chief clerk for hat manufacturers Messrs J. W. Garrard & Co, of 67 George Street, has returned home on 14 days' leave. He left England at the beginning of March 1917, and the first three months were spent on a quiet front round Bethune sector, and later Nieuport, Ypres and St Quentin (Somme front), the latter place being a little bit warmer. The great attack of the gunner on March 21st this year was an experience not likely to be forgotten in a hurry, but Pte Freshwater had the good fortune to go through it without a scratch, although many narrow escapes were experienced during those awful days of anxiety.

• An inquest was held yesterday afternoon at the Magistrates' Room, Court House, touching the death of Walter Race, who has carried on a greengrocery business and general stores at the corner of Havelock Road and North Street, and whose death resulted from the explosion of a mineral water bottle while he was on holiday. There was no jury, this being the first Luton inquest in which this has been the case, and Coroner Mr G. J. M. Whyley recorded a verdict of death from septicaemia following the accident.

• Broncho Bill's great Wild West Circus (advert, right) will visit Luton, on the field at the tram terminus, Dunstable Road, on Thursday next. There will be two exhibitions, and every arrangement made for the convenience and comfort of visitors.

• On Sunday, at the residence of his son Mr Henry Sanders, Studley Road, there passed away a link with the earlier progress of the hat industry in Luton and Dunstable – Mr Frederick Sanders. For over 60 years he was connected with the trade. In his youth he was in the service of the well-known firm of Cooper's, Manchester, eventually migrating to Luton to take charge of their Dunstable factory. He then came to Luton and was first with Messrs Burnett, George Street, and afterwards Messrs Boutwood & Harris, also George Street. He did what he could in the trade until eight months ago, having the pleasure of working when he chose in the factory of his son – Messrs Sanders & Brightman.

• Tuesday night's Gazette announced the following dissolutions of Partnership: Henry Charles Shoosmith and Frederick Burgess, plait merchants, 17 Bute Street, under the style of Burgess, Butcher & Co; Horace Arthur Gentle, Frank Gentle and Archibald Brewster Gentle, straw hat manufacturers, 2-8 Gordon Street, Luton, under the style of Amos Gentle.

• The first of a series of monthly social evenings under the auspices of of the Luton Women's Labour Party was held at the Co-operative Hall, Hastings Street, on Tuesday. Mrs Slatter presided, supported by Mrs Robinson (hon sec), Mrs Taylor, Mrs W. Ball, Mrs Edgar, Mrs M. Janes, Mrs Toyer etc, and the excellent attendance, despite the inclement weather, augured well for the future success of the movement.

• A very pleasant was spent at the YMCA Hut, Biscot Camp, on Wednesday last week, where the leader (Mr H. D. Bulford) gave a farewell party to the staff and some of his friends, on the occasion of his leaving for an important position in another Camp. During the evening, Mrs Giltrow, on behalf of the staff, voluntary workers and friends, presented Mr Bulford with a handsome suitcase.

• A pleasing demonstration of the affection existing between the Roman Catholics worshipping at the Mission, Castle Street, Luton, and their priest, the Rev Fr O'Connor, was given at a meeting on Thursday evening to celebrate the latter's silver jubilee, he having completed 25 years priesthood. The presentation of two addresses, two statues for the church, and a purse containing £113 and an album was made by Canon Youens, of Shefford. Laudatory speeches were made by Fr Athill (Hitchin), Fr Boulot (Luton) and Mr Scott, also of the local church.

• Last week the well-known London entertainers Miss Sheila McCarthy and Mr Bob Barry paid their 24th visit to Biscot Camp, when a special anniversary concert was presented at the YMCA Hut. The Hut was crowded to its fullest capacity, and an up-to-date and non-stop programme of nearly two hours was given, all the items being encored.

• On Monday evening, shortly before 8pm, William Brown, the well-known cabby, was driving a party of officers near Christ Church when the trolley head of a tram car, driven by Charles Simpkins, dropped off and struck him on the head. Brown was stunned, the blow shaking him considerably. He was attended by Dr Worthington, and was afterwards driven home by Special-Inspector Webb and one of the officers he was driving.

• The Special Service Company of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, returned to Luton yesterday after two months' war duty on the East Coast.

• Wearing one of the most pronounced black eyes seen in the Luton Borough Police Court for many a long day, James John Symes, 62, schoolmaster, Perry Green, was charged yesterday with being drunk and incapable in Manchester Street on Tuesday night. “I am afraid I must plead guilty,” he said in answer to the charge. “It is the first time anything of the sort has ever happened to me. I really cannot account for it except that I was suffering very greatly from toothache, and I had rather more whisky than I ought to have had. I am extremely sorry.” He was fined 10 shillings.