Thomas Eames was born in Sundon, Bedfordshire in 1889 to John & Emma.

In 1911 Thomas is 23 years old & working as a farm labourer. His brother Arthur, 28 & also a farm labourer is now head of the household as both their parents have died. Living in Sundon with them are sister Annie, 30, housekeeper to her brothers & their 4 year old niece Minnie Blackaby.

Thomas joined the Bedfordshire Regiment on the outbreak of war & was sent to France. In November 1916 Thomas was injured in the arm & sent home where he had his arm amputated just above the elbow.

John Jellis was born in Flitwick, Bedfordshire in January 1883. He was 1of 9 children born to John & Sarah-Ann.

In October 1905, aged 22 John married Louie Buckingham in Ampthill, Bedfordshire & in 1906 their first son Arthur was born.

Pte Samuel Stokes, 43241, 6th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment, was killed in action on the Somme on October 25th, 1916. He was the second son of Samuel and Phoebe Stokes, of 10 Alfred Street, Luton, to perish on the battlefield in three months - L-Cpl Robert Stokes was killed in action on August 9th.

At the time of Samuel's death, Robert, a holder of the Military Medal, was reported missing with hopes that he may have been taken as a prisoner of war.

Frederick James Hull was born in Sundon, Bedfordshire in January 1898.

In 1911 Frederick James is 13 years old & working as a farm boy & living in Slate Hall Cottages, Sundon with his family. His father Percy is 36 & working as a farm labourer, his mother Matilda is 33. His older brother Percy John is 15 & also working as a farm boy. His other siblings, 11 Year old Florence Emma, 9 year old Frank & 7 year old Dorothy are at school.

Pte John Thomas Canderton, G/13318, 11th Battalion The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, was killed in action on the Somme on October 26th, 1916. He was aged 19.

In a letter to parents William and Alice Canderton, of 24 Maple Road, Luton, Lieut H. M. Todd wrote that Pte Canderton was killed while observing the enemy lines from his trench. He was buried with all the reverence due to a soldier fighting for his King and country.

Percy John Hull jnr was born in Sundon, Bedfordshire on 16th November 1895.

In 1911 Percy John is 15 years old & working as a farm boy & living in Slate Hall Cottages, Sundon with his family. His father Percy is 36 & working as a farm labourer, his mother Matilda is 33. His younger brother Frederick James is 13 & also working as a farm boy. His other siblings, 11 Year old Florence Emma, 9 year old Frank & 7 year old Dorothy are at school.

Percy John Hull was born in Sundon, Bedfordshire in July 1874.

He married Matilda Fowler on 5th August 1895.

In 1911 Percy is 36 years old & working as a farm labourer & living in Slate Hall Cottages, Sundon with his 33 year old wife Matilda & their children. Percy John is 15 & Frederick James is 13 & both are working as farm boys. 11 Year old Florence Emma, 9 year old Frank & 7 year old Dorothy are at school.

Sgt Peter Pieraccini, 19744, 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action on the Somme on October 12th, 1916.

Born in Luton, he was the son of James and Elizabeth Pieraccini, of 19 May Street, Luton. He married Ethel May Dyer in 1906 and lived at 4 Manchester Place, Dunstable, with their six children.

A friend who was with him before they went into action wrote to his widow that Peter had been reported missing but was then found by another battalion to have been killed.

Pte John Feetham, 15868, 6th Battalion Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment, was killed in action in France on October 27th, 1916. He was aged 36.

His commanding officer wrote to Mrs Feetham that her husband was killed at 9.40 in the morning by a German shell which burst over him while he was in a trench, killing him instantly.

John Feetham had married Soiphia May Ann Taylor in Hatfield in 1908 and they had three daughters. They had lived at Pepperstock for several years and he was a woodman on the Luton Hoo Estate.

Pte George Henry (Harry) Puddephatt, 40119, 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action on the Somme on November 13th, 1916. He was aged 19.

The son of Henry and Ann Puddephatt, of Summer Street, Slip End, he worked for Messrs F. Merchant and Sons, furnishers, of Manchester Street, Luton, before enlistment. He was in training in England until three months before his death.

Pte John Dyson, 23182, 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action on the Somme on November 13th, 1916.

Regimental records say he was born in Bolton, Lancashire, and resided in Luton. He is commemorated on the Luton Roll of Honour, but without an address. Sadly nothing appears to have been recorded about him in Luton newspapers.

Pte Archibald Odell (O'Dell), 8094, 1/2nd London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), was killed in action on the Somme on October 9th, 1916. He was aged about 40.

Popularly known as Joe, he left a widow, Violet, and three daughters - Mabel, Doris and Irene - living at 4 Ebenezer Street, Luton.

The old soldier had seen 12 years service in the Regular Army, seven of them abroad in countries like India, Aden and Canada. Back in civilian life he was a blocker employed by Mr Jack Durrant, who was also a well-known local footballer.

L-Cpl Cyril Stone Terry Short, 19477, 26th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (Bankers' Battalion) was killed in action on the Somme on or a day or two before 18th September, 1916.

Born in Southsea, Hampshire, where he spent most of his life, L-Cpl Short had arrived in Luton by 1911 as a bank clerk employed by the Capital and Counties Bank on the corner of George Street and Bute Street [now the premises of Lloyds Bank].

Second Lieut Harold George Fyson, 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action on the Somme on October 12th, 1916. He was aged 26.

Born in Luton in April 1890, he was a son of straw hat dyer employer George Austin Fyson and his wife Kate(nee Cooke), of 36 Leagrave Road.

His parents received a telegram on October 15th to say he had been wounded on the 12th and then a second to say he was wounded and missing. Then two letters from fellow officers confirmed his death.

Rifleman Arthur David Sharp, C/6265, 18th Battalion King's Royal Rifles, was killed in action on the Somme on September 15th, 1916. He was single and aged 28.

He had enlisted at St Pancras in London in July 1915 and went out to France the following May.

His father David had died in 1911 and his mother Sarah in 1906. At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 29 Shirley Road, Luton, with two brothers and four sisters, all then unmarried.