L-Cpl Robert John Cecil Moate, 200634, 1/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action in Palestine on July 20th, 1917, and has no known grave. He was aged 20 and the only son of widowed Lizzie Moate, of 23 Union Street, Luton.

Cecil Moate, as he was known, was under age for foreign service when he joined the Bedfords (No 4641) but went to Gallipoli in 1915. There he suffered from dysentery and was in hospital in Malta for six months before being posted to Egypt.

Friday, July 20th, 1917, was a day of double tragedy for widower William Hull, of 34 Buxton Road, Luton. Three weeks later he learned that on that day youngest son Lance-Sgt Charles Hull, 200294, 1/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, had been killed in action in Egypt. And two weeks later still he was informed that eldest son Pte Frederick Hull (200592) was missing - presumed killed in the same battle on the same day, fighting with the same regiment. Two sons lost on one day.

Friday, July 20th, 1917, was a day of double tragedy for widower William Hull, of 34 Buxton Road, Luton. Three weeks later he learned that on that day youngest son Lance-Sgt Charles Hull, 200294, 1/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, had been killed in action in Egypt. And two weeks later still he was informed that eldest son Pte Frederick Hull (200592) was missing - presumed killed in the same battle on the same day, fighting with the same regiment. Two sons lost on one day.

Pte Frederick James Bysouth, 200992, 1/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action in Palestine on July 20th, 1917 - a day of particularly high casualties for the regiment. He was aged 32 and married with a wife living at 123 Russell Street, Luton.

Frederick had joined the Bedfords in October 1915 and, after six months training at Halton, set sail for Egypt 15 months before his death.

Pte Thomas Felks, 203179, 1/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was confirmed killed in action in Palestine on July 20th, 1917, after initially being reported missing. He was aged 33.

He was the unmarried son of John and Mary Felks, of 23 John Street, Luton. He had joined up at the beginning of 1917 and, after a short period of training, was sent to Egypt.

A brief report in the Saturday Telegraph said that before enlistment Tom Felks was employed by fishmongers D. Hammett & Son, of 18-20 Hitchin Road, Luton.

Bertie Breed was born in 1882, 1 of 8 children born to William & Mary Ann.

In 1891 he is a 10 year old school boy & is living with his family 192 High Town Road. His father William is 41 years old & working at the Gas Stove factory, his 41 year old mother Mary is a straw hat sewer, at home whilst looking after 4 year old Eunice & 2 year old Sidney. His 14 year old brother Ernest is working as a servant boy.

Cpl Bertie Breed, 200662, 1/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action in Palestine on July 20th, 1917 - in a battle with a growing casualty list described by the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph as almost, if not quite, as severe as that in the struggle on the Gallipoli Peninsular.

Bertie Breed had also fought at Gallipoli and was wounded in the leg in the August 15th, 1915, charge there. The wound meant he was in hospital for three months in Cairo, underwent three operations and became ill with dysentery.

Pte Cecil Harold Blaydon, 200712, 1/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed instantly in a raid on enemy lines on July 20th, 1917. The 21-year-old was buried in a cemetery behind British lines.

He was the second son of Sidney and Mary Lily Blaydon, of The Knapps, Toddington Road, Leagrave, to have died in action. Youngest son Albert Edward died at Gallipoli in August 1915.

Cecil served as a stretcher-bearer with the Bedfords from the outbreak of war. Like his younger brother he had served at Gallipoli.

Pte Samuel George Whittington, 200564, 7th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action under shell fire near Ypres on July 18th, 1917. He was aged 34, married and had a daughter.

Capt S. Tabor sent the news to widow Nellie at 79 Hastings Street, Luton. Pte Whittington had seen only eight weeks service with the battalion in France, although he had joined the Beds Regiment in another battalion at the outbreak of war.

Bertie Frederick Eales was born in Luton in 1886. Eldest child of 6 born to Edwin & Kate.

In early 1911 26 year old Bertie married Ellen Emma Shaw & at the time of the census in April that year they had set up home together at 104 Bury Park Road. Both are working in the hat trade, Bertie is a warehouseman & Ellen in a straw hat finisher.

In 1912 their son Bertram Reginald was born, but sadly on 25th July 1915 he died.

Percy Gurney was born in Luton in January 1893. He was 1 of 8 children born to Tom & Emily.

In 1911 Percy is 17 & living at 48 Hartley Road with his family that are all working from home in the hat trade. His father Tom is 42 & a self employed straw hat manufacturer, his mother Emily, 40 & 19 year old sister Emily Rosa, are both straw hat finishers & younger brother, 16 year old Frederick George, is a straw hat machinist. His 12 year old sister Lizzie is at school.

Sydney Charles Powell was born in 1882 in Luton.

In 1904 Sydney married Lizzie Gregory.

In 1911 Sydney is 29 years old & living with his family at 52 Ash Road & working as a straw hat packer with A. Hucklesby & Co, by whom he had been employed from the age of 17. Lizzie is 28 & working as a straw hat machinist at home whilst looking after their children, 6 year old Doris & 4 year old Sidney Charles. Lizzie's 73 year old widowed father George Gregory is also living with them in this 4 roomed house.

Percy Luck was born in 1884 in Luton, 1 of 4 children born to William & Sarah Ann.

In 1911 Percy is 17 years old & assisting in the family business of bakers & confectioners at 38 Bury Park road. His 50 year old father, 50 year old mother & 19 year old sister Nellie May are all working at the bakery. Percy's paternal aunt Ada Williamson, 44 is living with them, so is their general domestic servant 22 year old Edith Aston.

Reginald Roland Gurney Press was born in St Albans on 4th February 1895, 1 of 3 children born to Frederick Edmond & Lillian Ada.

In 1901 aged 5 years, Reginald is living at 48 North Street, Carshalton, Surrey. His father is 42 years old & working as a tobacconist whilst his 32 year old mother is at home looking after him & his 4 month old sister Rosa.

C H Smith served in The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). He died on 25th March 1920 & was buried in the Rothesay Road cemetery.