Cpl Douglas Blake Brodie, 2433, 1/24th Battalion County of London Regiment ("The Queen's), was killed in action in a great charge on German trenches near Givenchy on May 26th, 1915. He was aged 23.

The son of William and Amelia Brodie, of Rathfarlam, 157 Dunstable Road, Luton, he was among a group of 19 young men from Luton photographed by The Luton News at the Midland Road station on their way to St Albans on September 1st, 1914, to enlist in the Londons. Although named in the newspaper, he was not specifically identified in the W. H. Cox picture at the time.

Edwin Benjamin Eales was born in 1892 in Hammersmith, London.

In the 1911 census it tells us that he is living at 19 South Road, Luton with his widowed mother Kate 42, & sister Edith Florence 14, both are working as straw hat machinist. His elder brother Horace William 22, is a boiler maker in the iron foundry, whilst 6 year old Cyril Thomas is at school.

Horace William Eales was born in 1888 in Hammersmith, London. 

In 1911 Horace is 22 years old & working as a boiler maker in the iron foundry. He is living at 19 South Road, Luton with his widowed mother Kate 42, & sister Edith Florence 14, both are working as straw hat machinist. His brother Edwin Benjamin 19, is a straw hat blocker, whilst 6 year old Cyril Thomas is at school.

William Dickman was born in Houghton Regis in January 1901.

In the 1911 census he is aged 10 & living with his family in the High Street, Leagrave, Luton. His father James is 50 years old & working as a carpenter & joiner, his mother Elizabeth Martha 40, is at home looking after him & Ivy, 14. His older brother Jim is 16 & working as a stonemason's labourer & Daisy 19, is working as an ironer in a laundry.

Pte Henry (Harry) Tuffnell, 7578, B Company, 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action at the Battle of Hill 60, Flanders, on April 21st, 1915. He was initially listed as missing.

His home address was 15 York Street, Luton, and prior to being called up as a reservist was employed at Commercial Cars Ltd as a foundry worker. He had previously served in the Boer War.

He was last home in November 1914 and had returned to France just before Christmas.

John William Dolling spent 3 hours lying in water in a trench in France. His experience was reported in the Luton News on 1st December 1914. (see attached file)

John was born in Ampthill in January 1893, 1 of 6 children to James & Mary Jane.

Pte Samuel Snoxell was taken prisoner of war on 22 March 1918.

He was born in Luton in 1888 to William & Susan. He had 2 brothers, Thomas & Charles & 3 sisters, Emily, Elizabeth & Mary.

In 1911 he is living at 31 Chase Street with his widowed mother who is working as a servant & his sister Elizabeth who is a straw hat manufacturer. Samuel is working for E W Hart & Co Dye Works as a plait buncher.

It was reported in the Luton News on 2nd May 1918 that he had been captured by the Germans, but was quite well.

Walter Allen was born in 1869.

There is no service record for Walter, but the medal roll index tell us that he served in the Bedfordshire Regiment. He received the Silver War Badge in France on 27th April 1915 as well as the Victory, British & 15 Star medals.

He was later attached to 319th M.T. Coy. Royal Army Service Corps.

Albert Edward Thrussell was born in January 1898, the eldest son of William & Ellen.

In 1911 Albert was 13 years old & working as a news boy. He is living with this family at 99 Church street.

His father William 35, is working as a general labourer, his sister Maude 15, is working as a straw hat finisher & his 35 year old mother is at home looking after his 3 brothers, Fred 10, George 7 & 6 year old Ernest.

No service record can be found for Albert, but he did serve in the Royal Field Artillery.

George Strapp was born in January 1898 in Luton.

He served in the East Surrey Regiment.

He survived the war & in 1922 married Emily Philpott.

He died in Luton in March 1963.

Bertie Strapp was born in Luton in October 1895.

He served in the Machine Gun Corps.

He survived the war & died in 1959.

Sidney Strapp was born in Luton in July 1893.

In 1911 he was 17 years old, living at 20 Ridgway Road & working as a hat blocker.

It was reported in the Luton News on 21st September 1916 of the death of 2/Lieutenant Alexander Pigott Wernher, youngest son of Sir Julius & Lady Wernher.

Alexander was born in Hambledon, Surrey in 1897. At aged 4 in 1901 he was living at Luton Hoo Mansion with his brother Harold under the care of their German governess & 27 servants.

Harry Reed was my Grandfather who was born in Alford, Lincolnshire in 1892 & was the youngest of four children.  He married my Grandmother, Gertrude Goodrick, who also came from Lincolnshire in Kilburn, London in June 1916.  They moved to Luton & were living at Stopsley Farm where he was employed as a Rough Rider (horse breaker) at the time of his call up in November 1916.

Nelson Charles Edward Galton was born in January 1892 in Holloway, London. He was baptised on 22nd May 1892 at St Matthews Church, Oakley Square in St Pancras. He was the eldest child of Charles Nelson & Emily Elizabeth, living at 45 Finchley Road, Camberwell.