British War Medal

Private Percy Mead

Pte Percy Mead, 46998, 12th Battalion King's Royal Rifles, died of wounds in the 17th Casualty Clearing Station in France on October 17th, 1918. He was aged 19 and had previously served in the Beds Regiment (11038).

Born in December 1899, he was a son of Lucy and the late Thomas Mead, of Kings Road, Luton. He had married Elizabeth Read in Kent in 1917 and his widow was living at Sittingbourne at the time of Percy's death.

Before joining up, Percy, along with three brothers, had worked at the Brown & Green Foundry in Windsor Street/South Road, Luton.

Lance Corporal Horace Frederick Alfred Hudson

L-Cpl Horace Frederick Alfred Hudson, 023764, 93rd Coy, Army Ordnance Corps, died from influenza in a stationary hospital in Italy on October 16th, 1918. He was aged 26.

In a letter to parents Alfred and Alice Hudson at 9 Stanley Street, Luton, Horace said he had fallen victim to the influenza epidemic but was quite comfortable and going on well. That was followed by a telegram saying he was dangerously ill, and later a letter stating that he had died, the date given being October 23rd.

Driver Frederick Leslie George Braybrook

Driver Frederick Leslie George Braybrook, 528055, 54th Division Signals Coy Royal Engineers, died from typhoid fever in the 48th Stationary Hospital in Egypt. He was aged 25 and single.

He had volunteered in January 1915 and was drafted to the Dardanelles and later Egypt and General Allenby's Palestine Campaign, taking part in the Battle of Gaza.

Born in Clophill in 1893, he was the eldest son of Frederick and Emma Elizabeth Braybrook, of 3 Park Road West (now Strathmore Avenue), Luton. He had worked as an iron moulder at the Diamond Foundry in Dallow Road.

Sapper John Winfield Trussell MM

Spr John Winfield Trussell, 489931, 46th Division Signal Coy, Royal Engineers, died in a casualty clearing station in France on October 7th, 1918, from wounds sustained in action. Poignantly, he was due to receive the Military Medal he had been awarded.

In a letter to his father Harry Trussell, of 15 Vicarage Street, Luton, a chaplain wrote: “You son was wounded at our headquarters, and when he left for hospital we quite hoped he would soon recover. But, alas, our hopes were never realised. He was a skilled telephonist and we shall miss him very much indeed.”

Private Percy James Costin

Pte Percy James Costin, 52084, 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment, died of wounds sustained in action in France on October 10th, 1918. He was aged 20 and single.

In a letter to parents James and Annie Costin at 78 Queen Street, Luton, an officer in the Middlesex Regiment said: “He was a runner, and was killed whilst showing great devotion to duty. He suffered no pain.”

Pte Costin joined up in July 1916 and saw considerable service. He was wounded in the arm in October 1917 and went to France again in March 1918 after recovery.

Private John Walker Langford

Pte John Walker Langford, 27657, 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action in France on October 8th, 1918. He was aged 38.

He was a son of Henry and Bessie Maud Langford, both of whom had died, and John was living at the home of Arthur and Lottie Taylor, of 58 Cambridge Street, Luton.

At the time of the 1911 Census he was living with his widowed mother and sister Emily at 23 Alma Street. John was described as a buncher at a straw plait dyeworks. Before enlistment he had been employed by bleachers and dyers A. J. Godfrey & Son, of Langley Street.

Private Clement Philip Ernest Rash

Pte Clement Philip Ernest Rash, 51377, 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment, was killed in action on October 1st, 1918. He was aged 24 and a native of Haverhill, Suffolk, who had been working as a fitter at George Kent's Ltd.

In a letter of sympathy to parents Walter and Miriam, of Haverhill, a chum wrote: “We had been together since the day we enlisted and always got on well together. Now dear Clem has gone I find it very hard, and can hardly realise the loss of such a friend as he always was to me.

Corporal William Hart

Cpl William Hart, 17369, 6th Battalion Northants Regiment, died in hospital at Rouen in France on October 1st, 1918, after sustaining a wound in the left arm in action on September 22nd. He was aged 34.

William had joined the Army in October 1914. After serving in France for some time he was invalided home and sent to a London hospital, where he remained for a year, From there he was sent to Summerdown Camp, Eastbourne, to convalesce.

Lance Corporal William Perrins

L-Cpl William Perrins, 80174, 23rd Royal Fusiliers, was killed in action in France on September 30th, 1918. He left a widow and a child living in Luton.

He had gone to France only a month earlier, on August 28th, following 14 weeks of training in Ireland. He had previously worked for George Kent Ltd.

Born in Lewisham, London, to Frank and Lucy Perrins in 1893, he and his parents and four sisters and three brothers were living at 30 Maple Road, Luton, in 1911.

Private Bernard Andrews Bone

Pte Bernard Andrews Bone, 57804, 1/5th Battalion Cheshire Regiment, died in No. 4 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station in France on September 30th, 1918, the day after he was struck by an enemy shell.

A chaplain wrote to widowed mother Florence Lavinia Bone at 39 New Town Street, Luton: “He was brought down by ambulance from the front line on September 29th. He was struck by a shell from the enemy causing bad fractures of both legs, and his hands and face were slightly wounded. The fearful shock to his whole nervous system was an alarming factor.

Private Herbert John Savage

Pte Herbert John Savage, 99640, 8th Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment, was killed in action on September 11th, 1918. The 30-year-old was born in Bedford and moved to Luton following his marriage in 1912.

Herbert had joined the Bedfordshire Regiment (8800) and was transferred to the 2/6th Sherwood Foresters (103028) before joining the KLR. His widow had last heard from him on September 5th.

Private Reginald Bass

Pte Reginald Bass, 30585, 6th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment, was killed in action in France on September 21st, 1918. He was single and aged 19.

He was a son of Eli and Ellen Bass, of 54 Cromwell Road, Luton, living there in 1911 with two brothers and ten sisters.

Prior to joining up in March 1918, Reginald had worked as a moulder for Hayward Tyler & Co, and had attended Park Street Baptist Church and Sunday school.

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