Pte Thomas Charles Prudden, 25926, 10th Battalion The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment), was killed in action in Flanders on the night of July 27th-28th, 1918. He had recently spent his 19th birthday in the trenches.

In a letter of condolence to parents Herbert and Emily Prudden at 65 Old Bedford Road, Luton, Wesleyan Methodist Chaplain, the Rev E. Sayer Ellis, said their son had been detailed late on Saturday night [July 27th] to guide two Americans who were going forward on a ration fatigue. Unfortunately they were caught by enemy shell fire, and Thomas was so seriously wounded that his injuries proved fatal almost at once.

“The body was taken during the night as far back from the fighting line as was practicable, and we laid the remains to rest in a large well-cared-for military cemetery. A party of his comrades attended and at the close of the service the Last Post was sounded by the buglers.”

Thomas Prudden had been employed for two years by hat manufacturers Haye & Co in their plait department in Luton before joining up at the age of 18.