The following Beds Regt casualties were reported on Thursday, March 4th, 1915.

KILLED

Church: Acting Sgt Joseph George (27), 8482, 1st Battalion, January 30th, 1915 (Dranouter Churchyard)

Holton: Pte Arthur (34), 6730, husband of Ellen Ann, of Flint Cottage, Daley Hall, Luton, 1st Battalion, November 7th, 1914 (Le Touret Memorial)

Who serves the King? More names of those who have joined the colours.

HARPER: Mr S. J., of 32 Brook Street, Luton, who is now serving with the 4th Battn, Beds Regt on the East Coast, is the third officer from the Board of Trade Labour Exchange at Luton to enlist. At present Mr Harper is on the sick list and in the Great Eastern Hospital, Harwich.

WHITTEMORE: Pte E. W., 4764, C Coy, 5th Battn, Beds Regt, Newmarket - 42 King's Road, Luton.

Stories from The Luton News, Thursday, March 4th, 1915.

Wooden blocks from the floor of Wardown House had been used as firewood during its use as a military hospital. Luton Town Council's Parks Committee reported that the military authorities were to pay £29 19s 1d for damage to Wardown Mansion and a further £118 1s for damage caused by the military occupation of recreation grounds in Luton.

The presence of so many troops stationed in Luton and St Albans was having a knock-on effect on the straw hat trade locally. Women who had devoted their time to producing hats were now spending that time catering for soldiers billeted in their homes.

Beds Regiment names which appeared in the casualty list for Tuesday, March 2nd, 1915.

WOUNDED

Bennett: Pte F. G., 9218

Coles: Pte G., 7442

Franklin: L-Cpl G. H., 8328

Litchfield: Pte P., 9314

Page: Pte C., 7427

Parles: L-Cpl J., 7160

Sharpe: Pte H., 6880

Spencer: Pte G., 7027

Stocker: Pte J. H., 6899

Fund raising and making clothes for the troops at the front were often seen as primary contributions of women to World War One. But for those who wanted a more hands-on role there was nursing.

Since I wrote my last Parliamentary Letter, now nearly three months ago, the war has proceeded with varying fortunes from day to day, but always with some improvement in the prospects of the Allies.

Beds Regiment casualty lists published on Monday, March 1st, 1915.

KILLED

Bentley: Pte Ralph, 4/6961, 2nd Battalion, January 15th, 1015 (Rue-David Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix).

Bone: Pte Charles Henry (33), 7820, 1st Battalion, January 15th, 1915 (Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres).

Hearnden: Lance-Cpl John (27), 7842, 1st Battalion, January 15th, 1915 (Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres).

Stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph, February 27th, 1915

The Waller Street Plait Hall is now open as a YMCA recreation centre for soldiers. The official opening does not take place until Monday evening, but soldiers who wanted to spend a pleasant hour or two last night soon found they were welcome despite the fact that the hall was officially not open, and tonight they will be welcomed just as cordially.

More casualty lists for the Beds Regiment.

Thursday, February 25th, 1915

DIED OF WOUNDS

Brown: Pte George, 8891, January 30th, 1915 (Bailleul Communal Cemetery, Nord)

Friday, February 26th

WOUNDED

Deepicht: Second Lieut L. T.

Butty: Pte E, 7836

Paine: Pte H. 6946

Smalley: Pte G., 8560

White: Pte L., 7397

Two cousins - one serving with the Royal Sussex Regiment and the other with Royal Scots - had met by chance in Luton while on Christmas leave in 1908 and were surprised to discover they were both in the Army. Shortly after the outbreak of war, Jack, from Toddington, and Edward Hobbs, from Luton, again acted in tandem, receiving commissions as second-lieutenants with a few weeks.

Stories from The Luton News, Thursday, February 25th, 1915

Luton Rural District Council's Surveyor reported the receipt of a letter from Messrs Hewlett and Blondeau in connection with an extension of their aeroplane works at Leagrave.

The following Bedfordshire Regiment men were included on the Saturday, February 20th, casualty list.

KILLED

Toull: Pte Frank Walter (20), 3/7323, December 20th, 1914 (Rue-David Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix)

DIED OF WOUNDS

Brock: Pte George William, 3/6732, December 28th, 1914 (Bailleul Communal Cemetery, Nord)

WOUNDED:

Billingham: Pte W., 9836

Brown: Pte A., 7912

The season is now so far advanced that the general character of the classes of hat that will be in demand this spring may be accurately indicated. The economic conditions of the country necessitate a general reduction in the prices of the hats, that may in some measure correspond with the diminishing purchasing power of the community.

Businessman Stewart Butler Hubbard, recently returned from a trip to France, Switzerland and Italy on behalf of the Luton dyeing industry, gave The Luton News an interview outlining his experiences and explaining the difficulties of travelling through Europe in a time of war. Here are extracts.