Bob Hawkes, the well-known Luton Town footballer, again appeared before the Bedfordshire Appeals Tribunal on Thursday [June 29th, 1916]. The decision on the appeal lodged by the Military Representative against Hawkes' conditional exemption as a straw hat manufacturer had been adjourned for the Tribunal to receive the official instructions in regard to the official instructions in regard to the question of one-man businesses.

Two Lutonians were mentioned in connection with Mr Tennant, the Under-Secretary of State, replying to a number of questions in the House of Commons on Monday. He said it was a fact that courts martial held in France had, in the exercise of their judicial functions, certain men described as conscientious objectors for offences so punishable under the Army Act.

Union Chapel, Castle Street (from T.G. Hobbs' Luton and Neighbourhood Illustrated, 1908)

Among Luton conscientious objectors maintaining defiance again military service in World War One was Bernard Bonner, son of painter and decorator Frederick Bonner and his wife Mary Ann, of 20 Park Road West, Luton. He was described as an International Bible Student.

Born in Luton in the summer of 1894, he was described in the 1911 Census as a jeweller's assistant but in his military enrolment papers was listed as a painter and paperhanger, probably working in the family business.

A huge number of men appealed to Tribunals for exemption from military service on the grounds of conscience. Most failed, including those making weapons of war but were not themselves prepared to fight. But among those who failed to convince were two deeply religious Luton men - Harry Stanton, of 39 Wellington Street, and Bernard Bonner, of 20 Park Street West - who were prepared to endure any hardship thrown at them, including a sentence of death, to stick to their convictions.

The following amusing letter comes from Sapper Burrell, 1/2nd Field Company, East Anglian Royal Engineers, now stationed in Egypt. It gives us some idea of the monotony of life in that part of the globe upon which Germany has covetous eyes, and will arouse our sympathies for the lads out there, many of whom are Lutonians.

Trenches leading to the Swiss border.

Stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: June 24th, 1916.

Mr James Ellis, who has been associated with the Luton works of Messrs George Kent Ltd as manager of the iron foundry for the past four-and-a-half years, has had conferred upon him the honour of being elected President of the British Foundrymen's Association for the ensuing year.

Here is a little plaint from Egypt. It comes from Pte Harry Batchelor (pictured), whose home is at 17 Dudley Street, Luton.

In the course of a letter to the Luton News and the Saturday Telegraph, he says: "I am writing on behalf of 60 men of the Bedfords attached to this battalion and who seem to have been forgotten by the people at home.

Writing from "Somewhere in France" to his brother, Mr George Harper, of 26 Cambridge Street, Luton, Pte Fred Harper, of Lilley Bottom, near Cockernhoe, says:

"Last Sunday night I thought that the end of the world had come. The Germans blew up our trenches in three different places. I have never seen such mines before. They then came over (quite 300 of them) with bombs, but our artillery got to work and I bet that not many of them got back alive.

Stories from The Luton News: Thursday, June 22nd, 1916.

Firemen's drill at Wardown Lake (W.H. Cox 1914)

Last night, an alarm of fire was given at Wardown Hospital, and there were interesting and exciting scenes. But it was only an imaginary fire, and its value as a test was very great.

Guildford Street area in 1921

Since the month of August 1914, when the war broke out, Henry Mayling, of 420 Hitchin Road, Luton, has taken an active part in its operations. He has recently become incapacitated for active duty at the Front, and has been retained for home service only.

From the routine of the Luton Municipal Offices to Moscow and a thrilling life with the Russian forces is surely sensational change enough for the most adventurous. To be well know in local scholastic circles and as a motor-cyclist is one thing; to be showered with flowers, banqueted, presented with an ikon of Michael of Archangel and entertained in the Summer Garden is quite a different story, and one which is calculated to make the young British blood of fellow townsmen, whether educationalists or motor-cyclists, tingle in their veins.