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.

As a member of the old Territorial Force, Charles Hull was mobilised at the commencement of the war and had been in Egypt for about two years after coming through the Gallipoli campaign unscathed.

In 1911, Charles and Frederick were living with their father at 17 Ashton Street, Luton. Their mother had died in 1906. Charles was employed at the E. W. Hart dye works in Windmill Road, Luton.

It was perhaps as a result of training that he went to Bury St Edmunds and there met and, in early 1915, married Emily Violet Webb. They had a daughter, Florence, born later that year, and it was the Suffolk town that Charles then regarded as home.

Frederick was working as an iron moulder, remained single and continued to live in Luton until he joined up. He too had gone through the Gallipoli campaign and since then had served in Egypt.

Both men are commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial as having no known grave, and also on the Luton Roll of Honour.