Saddler Albert Walter Bunker, 1779, 2/1st (East Anglian) Field Company, was killed in action in Gallipoli on August 21st*, 1915. He was aged 20.

The son of harness maker Albert Bunker and his wife Ella, he and an older brother (Charles Percy) and two younger sisters ( Edith and Ada) lived at 4 Bridge Street, Luton. At the time of the 1911 Census they were living at 7 Alma Street, Saddler Bunker being listed as Walter Albert, aged 15.

Pte Alfred James Ellingham, 3915, 1/5th Bedfords, was killed in action at Gallipoli on August 16th, 1915, and has no known grave. He was the son of John and Sarah Jane Ellingham, of 39 Hibbert Street, Luton.

His wife and parents were informed in letters from Pte William King, of 6 Tavistock Street, Luton, who was himself wounded on the same day. Pte King wrote that they were fighting side by side at the time of Pte Ellingham's death.

Frederick Albert Maddocks was born Frederick Albert Armison in July 1892 in Shardlow, Derbyshire. His mother Harriett married Joseph Maddocks when Frederick was 2 years old. Harriett then went on to have 4 children with Joseph.

William John Long was born in Woburn in August 1875. He was 1 of 9 children born into the large Roman Catholic family of Arthur & Mary.

His father & elder brother Samuel were carpenters & joiners, so William followed into the family business.

William married Annie Mary Ann Dewar on 10th August 1898.

In 1901 William & Annie are living at 36 Ashton Road with their young family, Hilda Annie is 2 & Ethel Alice is just 1 month old.

Arthur Kirchin was born in Luton in October 1891.

In 1911 he is living at 6 Hitchin Road, he is 19 years old & has his own business as a Marine Store Dealer. He is living with his family,  father Frederick 46 & mother Rose 44,  have their own business as fishmongers & fruittiers, sister Lillie 26, is a straw hat finisher & his 18 year old brother Albert is a fishmonger.

He married Hettie Short on 24th June 1914 in Luton.

Albert joined the Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment.

Patrick Grogan was born in Ireland in 1885. He came from a large Roman Catholic family, 1 of 9 children born to Paul, a farmer & Maria.

In 1901 he is living in Feakle, Co. Clare. He is working with his mother &  father on the farm with his siblings James 24, Mary 22, Ellen 20, Delia 14, Michael 12, Thomas 10, Dan 8, Paul 6 & 2 year old Josie.

Patrick married Edith Mary Fulks on 28th September 1913 in Poole in Dorset. Their son Percy Raymond was born on 3rd December 1914 in Wigginton, Tring, Hertfordshire.

Albert Giddins was 1 of 8 children born to Charles & Maria. He was born in Harpenden, Hertfordshire in 1878.

At the age of 18 he joined the Bedfordshire Regiment on 17th September 1895, his trade at the time was a fitter. He is described on his pension record as 5ft 4 inches tall with a sallow complexion, brown eyes & dark brown hair. He has a tattoo of crossed flags on his right forearm, scars on his left wrist, left middle finger, over his right eye & the front of his left knee.

The story of Second-Lieutenant John (Jack) Hobbs, the son of a Toddington butcher, was one of heroism, romance and tragedy. It culminated in the posthumous award of the Military Cross, gained for gallant and distinguished service in the field on May 31st, 1915.

The Luton News devoted many column inches to the man who enlisted in the Royal Scots as a private and rose to become a second-liutenant, fell in love with and married a women with whom their days together were so few, and died on June 28th, 1915, from wounds sustained on the battlefield.

Pte Frank Parker, 5028, 18th (Queen Mary's Own) Hussars, was killed in action on May 13th, 1915. His widow and four children then lived at 16 Edward Street, Luton.

Son of the late Charles George Fowler. Born in London.

Buried in Luton Church Burial Ground (Crawley Green Road).

Charles Fowler tragically took his own life in the Waller Street Baths, Luton, in April 1916. The coroners report speculates that the stress of military service contributed to his decision.

There are many casulties in war, not all are directly caused by enemy action. We will remember them.

He was buried with full military honours.

Pte John Crew, 10479, 2nd* Battalion Beds Regiment, died on May 17th, 1915, from wounds sustained at the battle of Festubert.

He was included on a list of men who had enlisted from the Luton Hoo mansion and estate compiled by Lady Wernher's agent, James Baker. It was published in The Luton News on July 8th, 1915, by which time two were listed as wounded and Pte Crew as killed.

Edgar William Bright was born in Leicester in 1879, only child of William Bright & Sarah Bannister Bright.

In 1911 he is living with his parents at 77 George Street, Luton. He is 32 years old & working for his father as a tailor's cutter. His 62 year old father is a tailor maker/outfitter at the family home. Edgar's 52 year old aunt, Ellen Barnard is also living with them.

No military records can be found for Edgar, but according to the CWGC he served in the Royal Field Artillery & died of pneumonia in Middlesex War Hospital on 15th April 1917.

Henry Isaac Pearson was born in Luton in October 1894 to Frederick & Sarah Minnie.

In 1911 he is 16 years old & listed on the census as an inmate at the Reformatory School, Chapmore End near Ware in Hertfordshire. It was a place that provided care & training for boys that were involved in criminal or anti-social behaviour. Henry would have learnt agricultural skills by working on the farm there as well an education by attending school for a few hours each day.

Frederick Pearson was 1 of 7 children born to Alfred & Sophia in Luton in 1869.

His father was a master saddler, his older brother Charles was also in the family trade as a journeyman saddler, but Frederick did not follow in their footsteps as he joined the Army.

In 1891 aged 22 he is in the Bedfordshire Regiment & living at the Depot in Kempston.

He married Sarah Minnie Sharp in January 1892 in Luton.

Charles Edward Payne was born in Luton in 1866. He married Sarah Ann Howe in 1892.

In 1911 they are living at 98 Baker Street. Charles is 46 years old and a straw worker. Sarah is 48 and also a straw worker at home. They had been married for 19 years but had had no children. Sarah's mother, Ann, a 60-year-old widow, is also living with them.