Sidney Albert Dillingham was my Grandfather.  He was born in 1885 in Luton to Albert and Mary Dillingham, who went on to have eight other children.  In 1910 Sidney married Annie Fossey Butler and they had three daughters, Violet, Beatrice and Dorothy.  In 1916 Sidney joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and served most of the War at the Royal Victoria Hospital (Netley Hospital).  He left the Services in 1921.

William Horsler was the eldest son of George and Ann Horsler of Great Bramingham, who had seven sons serving on the Western Front. Three brothers were killed and two, including William, were wounded.

Albert was the third son of George and Ann Horsler of Great Bramingham, who had seven sons serving  on the Western Front. Three brothers were killed and two, including Albert, were wounded.

The first page of Albert's army record can be found in the National Archives as part of the "Burnt Documents" ( most of the WWI service records were damaged in the Blitz in WWII and fragments have been preserved on microfilm).

Pte George Cox, 5233, 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment, was killed in action at Ypres on June 22nd, 1915. He was aged 35.

Many Luton people will deplore the loss of a personal friend, said The Luton News. He was employed at the Luton Gas Works and resided at 68 Beech Road. He was called up as a reservist on the outbreak of war and drafted to the front in early September, having been there ever since.

Mrs Cox received only the bare official intimation from the War Office, but she received from Sgt W. Bartram, a letter in which he wrote:

Husband of Alice J. Clark, of 152, Leagrave Rd., Luton. Born at Dunmow, Essex.

LUTON SAPPER DIES IN AFRICA.

The expectations of Sapper Fred Clark that he would shortly return home from German East Africa, where he had been serving under General Smuts, have unhappily not materialised. He now lies under the soil of the captured territory, for his wife, who resides at 152, Leagrave Road, has been officially notified that her husband has died from neuritis, the effect of the climate.

Gustavus was born in 1888.

Aged 23 in 1911 he was a straw hat packer and living at No 2 Cross Street in Luton. He was living with 7 other people in this little side street off High Town Road, his 58 year old widowed mother, Georgeina, brother Harry 19,  and aunt Maria who is unmarried at age 64 and is a straw hat machinist. Gustavus' married brother John, 25 who is a brickmaker, has bought his family to live here too, his wife Amy Thurza Gerelda, 25 and his daughters Winifred Nora, 4 and Edith Elizabeth aged 2.

Walter was one of five sons of Samuel and Sarah Brightman of Great Bramingham who served on the Western Front. Tragically his four brothers were all killed between 1914 and 1917. Walter was taken ill in France in  July 1916 and after convalescing for 12 months joined the Labour Corps to help with the harvest. He was expected to return to the Front in July 1918 but was released on compassionate grounds following an appeal from the Vicar of Streatley.

Richard was one of five sons of Samuel and Sarah Brightman of Great Bramingham who served on the Western Front. Tragically four of the five brothers were killed. Richard died of wounds on 10th November 1917 in France, aged 24. He was the fourth son to be lost.

Richard died in a Canadian hospital at Etaples, having had both feet amputated one week earlier. His parents received the letter informing them of his wounds on the same day as they received a telegram informing them of his brother Herbert's death.

Second Lieutenant Cyril Edward Franklin, son of Edward and Elizabeth Franklin, was born 1887, died in 1917, leaving behind a wife and young child.

Percy was the eldest of six children and his mother and father both worked in the hat trade. He did various jobs including cobbler, printers compositor and shop assistant. He married Jemima, "Minnie", in August 1913 and in 1915 they had a daughter, Marjorie. Percy's youngest brother Claude was born in 1911 so he had a brother who was very close in age to his daughter. 

Frank Brightman was one of five sons of Samuel and Sarah Brightman of Great Bramingham who served on the Western Front. Tragically four of the five brothers were killed. Frank was reported Missing Presumed Killed in France on 12th Oct 1916, aged 32. He was the second son to be lost.

Herbert Brightman was one of five sons of Samuel and Sarah Brightman who served on the Western Front. Tragically four of the five sons were killed. Alfred was killed in action on 25th October 1917, aged 34. He was the third Brightman son to be killed.

Private Alfred Brightman was one of five sons of Samuel and Sarah Brightman of Great Bramingham who served on the Western Front. Tragically four of the five sons were killed. Alfred was killed in action in Flanders on 26th Oct 1914, aged 25. He was the first Brightman son to die.

Sydney was born in 1885 to John Thomas and Eliza. He was living at 6 Crawley Green Road in 1911 with his mother, a straw hat machinist, four sisters, Olive, a milliner aged 19, Doris 12, Marjorie 10, Elsie 7 and his 4 year old brother Leslie. Sydney was working in the hat factory warehouse. He had attended Luton Grammar School & is remembered on the Roll Of Honour plaque found at Stockwood Park.

Second Lieutenant Frederick Stephen Boshell son of Stephen and Maria Boshell died age 26 one month after marrying Florence Cecilia Briggs.