Pte Christopher Joseph Lathwell, 235369, 1/4th Battalion South Lancs Regiment, was killed in action in France on March 15th, 1918. He left a widow and three children in Luton.

Widow Nellie, of 14 Moreton Road, Round Green, received news of her husband's death in a letter on March 16th written by Army Chaplain the Rev P. J. Fisher. He said Christopher was killed instantly by a shell while on duty just behind the trenches.

"I buried him this morning, and we were able to give him a decent Christian burial," added the Chaplain.

Pal Pte C. F. Barnes, confirming the death, wrote: "Up to a week ago I don't think we had been parted, but I was not with him when he was killed. I assure you the boys did all they could for him The shell dropped quite close to him, and his death must have been instantaneous."

Pte Lathwell had been in the Army 19 months, ten of them served overseas. Prior to enlistment he had been employed for 16 years as a straw trade traveller by manufacturer James Saunders, of Cheapside, Luton.

Christopher had married Woburn girl Nellie Martin at King Street Congregational Church, Luton, on August 29th, 1907. They had a son, Christopher Rowland (born 1911) and two daughters, Dorothy May (1908) and Constance Winifred (1914).

Parents John and Clara Lathwell, of 3 Clifton Road, Luton, had already lost a son, Bert (Northants Regiment), who was killed on the Somme on February 17th, 1917.