Private Thomas Frederick Piggott 17458 was my grandfather’s elder brother. He was born in 1895, the eldest of 4 brothers, and worked as a shop assistant before volunteering October 1914 into the 8th battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. He was sent to France in August 1915, and died of wounds  after being injured in the battle of the Somme, on Saturday 21 October 1916, aged 21, almost exactly 2 years after he joined up. He is buried at Abbeville Communal Cemetry Extension in France. My grandfather had never visited his grave, until 1982 , when we took him on his first foreign trip at the age of 85. It was extremely touching to see him standing by his brother’s grave for the one and only time. Although he died so long ago, his sacrifice remains a vivid part of our family’s history.

The Luton News listed the names of 15 men (including Thomas Piggott) who enlisted at the Park Street recruiting office, week ending 22 October 1914. Of those, 4 died and are listed on the Roll of Honour - a fatality rate of 25%.