Pte Herbert Thomas Chambers, 130271, 59th Machine Gun Corps, was reported missing in Flanders on April 15th, 1918. But it was 11 months later before parents Herbert and Maggie Chambers, of 75 Wimbourne Road, Luton, learned that he had been killed in action on that date.

Herbert was 19 at the time of his death, but had enlisted in the 1/5th Bedfords just before the war, in May 1914. Following the outbreak of war, the regiment was drafted to Gallipoli, but although Pte Chambers volunteered twice to go with them he had to remain in England because of his age.

He was transferred to the 3/5th Bedfords and ultimately went to France with them. He was transferred to the 2nd London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), and after nine months in France was sent back to England, being still under the age of 18.

After 12 months in England he was sent out with the 59th Machine Gun Corps and after only four weeks with them was reported missing, later killed.

Herbert had attended Dunstable Road School before working at the Diamond Foundry in Dallow Road and joining up.