L-Cpl William Gentle MM, 13200, Royal Army Medical Corps, was killed in action at Meteren in France on April 14th, 1918, while tending the wounded on the battlefield. He was attached to 11th Field Company Royal Engineers.

Chaplain the Rev Lincoln Dudley wrote to widow Kate that her husband had gone out on an errand of mercy and, on his return, was hit by a splinter of shell and killed instantly.

William - full name William Charles Gentle, but known as 'Bowie,' - was the son of John and Elizabeth Gentle, of 13 Holly Walk [St Mary's Road], Luton. He and his family, including three daughters at the time of the 1911 Census, lived next door at 11 Holly Walk.

William was born in Luton in 1881 and had married Kate Elizabeth Gutteridge in Luton in 1905. He was a member of Luton Conservative Club and was a straw hat blocker.

He had seen 18 years military service, was a Mons hero and had won the Military Medal in 1916. On March 22nd 1918, he was mentioned by his major-general for distinguished conduct in the field.