Pte Albert Edward Blaydon, 5073, 1/5th Bedfords, was killed in action at Gallipoli on August 16th, 1915. He was aged 18 and the youngest son of Sidney and Mary Lily Blaydon, of The Knapps, Toddington Road, Leagrave, and is commemorated on the Leagrave War Memorial.

Born in Mildenhall, Suffolk, in 1897, he attended Leagrave Council School until August 1911. His rallying to the Colours was due to his attendance at a concert last February when school master Mr P. E. Mitchell read the school roll of honour. He joined in April with his chum Arthur East and proved himself a good shot during his short training of 22 weeks.

When first moving to the Luton area from near Newmarket after the 1901 Census, the family lived first in Limbury Road, Leagrave, with Sidney working as a carpenter and joiner, and then Toddington Road.

Second son Cecil, aged 20 in 1911, fought at Gallipoli under Lieut-Col Brighten, but was destined to died with the 1/5th Bedfords in July 1917 and was buried at Gaza War Cemetery in Egypt.

Eldest son Percy, aged 22, was a gunner in training with the Royal Artillery.