[From The Luton News: Thursday, April 3rd, 1919]

The Luton Red Cross Band, like many other local institutions, suffered under very great difficulties during the war. Its conductor, Mr F. Mortimer, and the majority of its playing members were on active service.

Turmoil throughout Europe, wide-spread industrial unrest in Britain and much higher gas and electricity charges for Luton householders, who were also facing a shortage of coal due to miners' strikes. The crippling legacy of war was being felt everywhere.

Ex-Bombardier Sidney Morris, 80999, Royal Field Artillery, was presented with his Military Medal by Mayor Henry Impey at a meeting of Luton Town Council on March 18th, 1919.

Bdr Morris (pictured), of 30 New Town Street, Luton, had been awarded the medal for gallantry in the field in April 1918. The Mayor read a letter written by Bdr Morris describing how he had won the medal.

Inspector Herbert Hunt (pictured) was promoted by Luton Watch Committee from the rank of sergeant in March 1919 as part of Police Force restructuring following the retirement of Inspector Walter James Hagley, 'father' of the Force.

A Hampshire man, he was appointed a constable at Luton on May 15th, 1900, and was promoted to sergeant on November 1st, 1909.

Former Luton dentist Lieut Percy Reginald Hinton (pictured) was planning to reopen his practice after being invalided from the Army, said a report in The Luton News (Thursday, March 20th, 1919).

The suggestion has been made to the Army Council that the title of the Bedfordshire Regiment should in future be the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment, wrote The Luton Reporter (Tuesday, March 18th, 1919).

“Projected factory for 12,000 workers,” said the front page headline in the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph, of March 15th, 1919. “New industry for Luton. Biggest development scheme yet negotiated.”

It was anticipated that the Osram-Robertson Lamp Company Ltd was about to establish an enormous works on the outskirts of Luton.

The contentious issue of demobilisation of soldiers following the war was highlighted by an unnamed soldiers' wives in letters to The Luton News.

[From The Luton News: Thursday, March 13th, 1919]

Another educational meeting of the Luton branch of the National Council of Women was held on Tuesday evening at the Town Hall, the Mayoress presiding. A valuable address was given by the President (Mrs Ogilvie Gordon) on 'The Ministry of Health'.

The Mayoress referred to the importance of public health and the necessity of drawing attention to the question in all directions. She mentioned the usefulness of the National Council of Women in this direction.

Two Lutonians received their military decorations on Tuesday, March 11th, 1919, at the Biscot Camp YMCA concert room. There was a good parade of officers and men and the presentations were made by Col Fitzgerald, DSO, Commandant, reported The Luton News (Thursday, March 13th).

At a general meeting of the Luton branch of the National Federation of Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers on March 9th, 1919, President Mr H. Booth and Mr Dimond (Chairman of the Beds & Herts Divisional Council of the DS&S) raised the necessity for demanding greater representation on local civic bodies, special reference being made to the inadequate representation of discharged men on the War Pensions Committee for a town of Luton's proportions.

On March 6th, 1919, Inspector Walter James Hagley, 'father' of the Luton Borough Police Force, retired after 31½ years service with the Force.

Born in Tiverton, Devon, in 1866, he was a farm bailiff before being appointed a constable at uton on September 30th, 1887. On October 10th, 1902, he promoted to sergeant, and he became inspector on November 19th, 1909.

On Thursday [March 6th, 1919] , a huge Handley-Page comber passed over Barton at a low level after passing above Luton at about 1.30pm. It appeared to be in difficulties, and made a descent in a field along the Silsoe Road.

• 2nd Volunteer Battalion men taking their oath at the Corn Exchange in 1916.

To the number of about 130, men of 'C' Company, 2nd Volunteer Battalion Beds Regiment, gathered at the Town Hall, Luton, on Thursday evening [February 27th]. The event was a complete success, and provided an opportunity for a welcome reunion of past and present members, reported the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph of March 1st, 1919.