Digest of stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: March 2nd, 1918.

The Luton War Savings Committee will try hard to get a tank to Luton and have a 'boom week' in the early part of July as the present time is not the most favourable from the straw trade point of view for a businessman's appeal.

At the same time it cannot be too strongly urged that all who can should put all the spare money they have available into War Bonds and War Savings Certificates during the next week, and they should do it through the existing organisations in the town - such as banks, Post Office etc in order that Luton may have the credit for what Luton provides.

Secretary Mr G. E. M. Walker reported that during 1917 the war savings of Luton were over £800,000 - a record of which it might be justly proud. Unfortunately it had had the drawback in tempting some people to think we had done all that was needed, whereas money was now needed more than ever if the war was to be carried to a successful conclusion. National War Bonds were the alternative to a new loan, and if they were bought regularly were a far preferable method.

He was aware that Luton was a town where we must expect tro sell more certificates and fewer bonds. He had never felt that we could be reasonably expected to raise the £29,000 - or 10 shillings per head - weekly which is out proportion based a population basis. But it was very discouraging to find that such a prosperous town as this had only once in 20 weeks raised more than one-fourth of its quota, and that counting both bonds and certificates we had only raised four weeks' proportion per head. In a list of some 30 towns of similar size, sent out by the National Committee, we stood last.

Mr Walker hoped the Committee would go fully into the question of whether some special effort could not be made to rouse a larger number of businessmen of the town to a greater sense of their responsibilities so that they should not be outshone in this respect by their employees.

• The formal opening took place this afternoon of the annexe which has been erected at the rear of the Luton YWCA hut in Upper George Street. The extension, which is connected with the old hut by a corridor, measures 65ft by 33ft and is provided with a raised stage while the floor has been constructed for dancing. The cost has been £700, and Mrs T. Keens (Hon Secretary) has succeeded in raising the whole of the funds required.

• Some time ago Messrs Donald Campbell & Co, of London, presented through Mr Charles Hewitt, their Luton representative of straw braids, two cwts of rice to the Wardown V.A.D. Hospital at Luton. This week they have gone one better, for they have sent through Mr Hewitt 100lb of tea.

• At a concert held on Thursday evening in the Luton Assembly Hall under the auspices of the Luton branch of the National Federation of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers, there was further criticism of The Comrades of the Great War. The rival organisation had been formed by six MPs because the National Federation had become a political menace, it was claimed. The Comrades also sought to seduce members of the National Federation from allegiance to their own organisation.

• Old soldier Regimental Quartermaster Sgt Edward Scott, of 63a Inkerman Street and formerly of Grove Road, Luton, has died from pneumonia in Jerusalem on January 12th. He was present at the taking of Jerusalem and was one of 25 men allowed with General Borton into the Citadel.

• Formerly manager of the Dunstable Road branch of Messrs Saxby Bros, Gunner Frank Price (Royal Garrison Artillery) died from wounds received in action on February 22nd. His bereaved wife is left with two children.

• We are pleased to announce that Arthur Wileman, the popular inside right of the Luton Town Football Club, has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field at the battle of 'Tower Hamlets' last September. He joined the Footballers' Battalion in December 1914 amnd was later transferred from the Middlesex Regiment to the Royal Sussex Regiment. He is now acting company sergeant major after declining a commission. [Arthur Wileman was killed in action on April 28th, 1918.]

• Several of Luton Town's regulars appeared as their opponents on their ground this afternoon, when Luton played Kent's Works. Four of the Town's vacancies were filled by members of the Signal School Depot at Dunstable. Butcher gave the Town a 1-0 interval lead, but with a strong wind in their favour in the second half Luton won 5-0 with Butcher scoring three second half goals and Kent adding the other.