Straw hat trade exemptions continue

Digest of stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: April 13th, 1918.

Luton-made boaters

The demand of the Minister of National Service issued this week is bound to have a far-reaching effect on Luton's industries. However, a good deal of surprise, and probably more satisfaction, is caused by the omission of the straw hat trade from the Order.

As of April 24th, 1918, most certificates of exemption from military service granted on occupation grounds were to be withdrawn. Men applying to seek exemption could do so only on personal grounds, and before May 1st.

The Telegraph said that the fact that the Minister had honoured a pledge he had given in connection with the straw trade would be worth bearing in mind by Luton people. Delegates from the trade who saw the Minister in December had not been recalled, and until they were it may be taken for granted that the straw hat trade had been purposely excluded from the new Order and it was not likely that there would be any extreme pressure on the straw trade.

  • Mr H. Gardner, at 1 Brook Street, Luton, the local sub-station under the National Service Scheme, informs us that a certain number of vacancies in the Royal Air Force [founded April 1st, 1918] have been allotted to Luton, and next week he will be prepared to received applications from boys between 17 and 18 years of age, provided that are of good physique and education. It is a fine opportunity for boys of spirit, and there is sure to be a big demand amongst ambitious youngsters.

  • On Wednesday afternoon and evening there were crowded audiences at the Grand Theatre and the Town Hall, when delightful performances were given by local ladies and children of a pretty series of tableaux from the pageant, Children of the Centuries. It was an effort by Luton friends to aid the war emergency fund of the Waifs and Strays Society. The organisers of the institution must be delighted with enthusiasm which Madame Hilton (Hon Secretary) and her very numerous supporters put into the effort.

  • Arrangements have been made for a house-to-house collection in Luton, commencing Monday, April 15th, on behalf of the work of the National Children's Home and Orphanage. This Home was founded 42 years ago by Dr T. Bowman Stephenson with the rescue of two boys and had grown to be one of the largest child-saving institutions in the country. The erection of a sanatorium at Harpenden, a recent development of work, has already proved an incalculable benefit to a number of children threatened with consumption.

  • The members of the Luton Chamber of Commerce have good cause for congratulation in the success which attended the efforts of their delegates to the conference of the Associated Chambers at the Connaught Rooms on Tuesday and Wednesday, when it was decided to admit to the Executive Council two representatives of the small Chambers - one of them being Mr F. W. Plummer, from Luton. Never before has a Chamber as small as Luton received such an honour, and it is bound to have a beneficial effect on the trade of the town.

  • Labour in South Beds is to choose its Parliamentary candidate at the end of this month. this was decided at a meeting of the Party on Thursday evening.

  • There has been such a run on evening papers this week that we may shortly expect an announcement of a further diminution in the supplies of newsprint. Every man between 41 and 58 has felt more interest in the question of conscription this week than at any other period of the war, and not a few felt their blood curdle on Tuesday evening when newsboys yelled, "All men up to 50".

  • A rumour was current this week that, owing to military exigences, several Luton doctors had been summoned to military service. This is hardly correct, but we learn that Dr Harmar will take his commission in a week or two. It is possible Luton may eventually have to release others.

  • We are pleased to hear that Gunner Percy Ives (Royal Garrison Artillery), of 125 Wellington Street, Luton, who was wounded in the right leg, has been transferred to England. Last Wednesday his brother saw him and found him "going along strong," despite the fact his right leg had had to be amputated just below the knee.

  • Formerly an employee of house decorator Mr F. Pearce, Sapper Sidney Mooring, husband of Mrs Mooring , of 7 St Paul's Road, Luton, and son of Mr Mooring, of Cobden Street, was, according to information received on Monday, killed in action on March 21st.

  • Pte Ernest William Bruton, of the Essex Regiment, has died of wounds in the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital, Doullens, France. The new was conveyed to his mother at 55 Ash Road, Luton, on Wednesday.

  • L-Cpl Percy John Cobb (19) has been killed in action on March 28th, his parents at 126 New Town Street, Luton, have been informed.

  • Pte Edward Wesley, husband of Mrs Wesley, of 32 Langley Road, Luton, has fallen on the Western Front, according to information from one of his officers. [In fact, Pte Wesley, actual name Edmund, was still alive, having been taken as a prisoner of war.]

  • For exhibiting exceptional devotion to duty by digging out and saving the life of a comrade who, during a battle in Egypt, had been buried alive by the explosion of a shell, Second Cpl William James Watts (East Anglian Royal Engineers), son of Mrs Watts, of 40 Midland Road, Luton, has been awarded the Military Medal.

  • The roll of honour of the Diamond Foundry must be one of the longest of any of the works in the district, and from its moulding shops, offices etc have come many a valiant soldier and sailor. One of these is Pte Albert Halfpenny, son of Mrs Halfpenny, of 29 York Street, Luton, who for a recent act of valour in Egypt has been awarded the Military Medal.

  • The Bedfordshire Motor Volunteer Corps may be said to have made its debut during the past weekend, when its members organised and carried out a most successful camp within a few miles of Bedford. This is the first occasion on which the Corps has paraded as a whole, the work since the inception having been carried out in sections, of which Luton is one.

  • Recent rain and the length of the grass on parts of the pitch contributed to a disappointing game at the Town Ground this afternoon, despite the visitors from the Royal Naval Depot at Crystal Palace fielding a strong team. A goal early in the second half settled the match in favour of the Sailors. At the end of the game Luton's Dick Elvey walked off the pitch with a handsome clock as a wedding gift from the club.