Diary: First conscripts arrive at Biscot Camp

 

Stories from the Luton News: Thursday, April 27th, 1916.

Derby recruits at Biscot Camp

During the last few weeks hundreds of Derby recruits have come in from all parts of the Kingdom to join the London R.F.A. at Biscot Camp, and Lutonians are much interested in these stalwart young men as they march through the town every morning. They are en masse a fine spectacle.

Most of the men are in civilian attire, and the work of clothing and equipping the recruits proceeds apace. Photographs (above) taken at Biscot illustrate one or two of the incidents in these operations.

  • Luton Town centre forward Ernest Simms was remanded for military escort after admitting being absent without leave from the 1st Newcastle Field Artillery. He was arrested after playing in the Easter Monday home match again Watford by P. Sgt Hunt, who was awarded 10 shillings.

  • Mr and Mrs H. Chapman, of 'Wynford,' Ashburnham Road, Luton, have received official notification from the Territorial Force Record Office, London, in reference to their son, Pte Horace George Chapman, of the 24th Battalion, London Regiment (The Queen's), who had been missing since May 26th last year. The notice states that no further news having been received, the Army Council have been regretfully restrained to believe that he is dead, and that his death took place on the date mentioned.

  • An enormous crowd assembled in the grounds of Hertford Castle on Monday afternoon on the occasion of the public presentation to Cpl Alfred Burt, of the 1st Herts Regiment, of the Victoria Cross for an act of gallantry in France. Cpl Burt is a son of Mr "Tommy" Burt, who is employed on the Great Northern Railway at Luton and lives at 12 Cross Street.

  • On May 1st, 1916, all certificates of exemption (temporary or otherwise) granted by Tribunals to men in various grades of agricultural work, or to men not engaged in the same occupation as on or before August 15th, 1915, cease to be in force and such men may be called up for military service. Procedures are in place to cater for men whose services are still indispensable and it is desired they should remain in their civil employment.

  • Even without excursion trains it was a busy Easter on the Midland Railway, but traffic on the Great Northern line was light. However, over 1,000 people left for Dunstable on Easter Monday to enjoy themselves on the Downs.

  • Tram No 5 was damaged in Dunstable Road yesterday afternoon by a pair of horses attached to a waggon belonging to the 2/5th Lincolnshire Regiment. The animals took fright while being led from Biscot huts and broke away down the road and along Waldeck Road before colliding with the tram between Moor Street and Francis Street. Motorman Hutchins had a narrow escape and several passengers were severely shocked but otherwise uninjured. One of the horses was severely injured and had to be destroyed in the street.

  • A horse and van belonging to the Model Steam Laundry and left unattended in Ashburnham Road, Luton, on Tuesday afternoon collided with a motorcycle being ridden by Councillor Ralph Briggs with his wife in the sidecar. The horse had taken fright and dashed down the road, throwing the motorcycle passengers into the road. The laundry van and motorcycle were badly damaged and Mr Briggs received a cut ear.

  • A visitor to Luton writes: "Happy is an industrial centre with such ample lung spaces as Luton possesses. One's first impressions of the [Wardown] Park are delightfully refreshing. Fortunate, too, must feel the soldiers located in such an environment." He felt the Town Council should be congratulated on the wisdom it displayed in such a purchase.

  • John Mead, a middle-aged man lodging in Cambridge Street, broke his left arm when a winch handle slipped while he was loading a tree on to a timber gig at Messrs Powdrill's yard. He is now being attended in the Bute Hospital.

  • At Kensall Rise on Saturday, Cpl Pat O'Keefe, the middleweight boxing champion who was billeted at Luton Workhouse when the 23rd London Regiment was stationed in Luton, succeeded in beating Sgt Johnny Webb on points in a 15 rounds boxing contest.

  • Luton Town FC avenged their 2-1 London Combination defeat at Watford on Good Friday with a 3-1 win in the return fixture at home on Easter Monday. Watford had taken the lead before Simms equalised to leave the teams on level terms at half time. In the second half, Williams in the Watford goal thwarted a dominant Luton attack until five minutes from time when he was deceived by a gentle lob from Jim Brandham that dropped into the net behind him. The third goal quickly followed, scored by Simms.