Stories from The Luton News: Thursday, October 19th, 1916.

A Luton mother's heart has been gladdened this week by a letter from her eldest son, Pte William Hooker (pictured), who was officially reported missing since September 15th.

An anxious notification - "missing" - had been received from the War Office by Mr and Mrs William Hooker, of 32 Bury Park Road. He joined up in October last year, went to France at Easter, and a few weeks ago was transferred to another regiment.

It was reported that he failed to answer the roll on September 15th. Pte Hooker is 30, single, and prior to joining up was employed by Mr Faunch, a Dunstable farmer.

Evidently a mistake had been made in the records, for Mrs Hooker has had a letter from her son, written this month. In it he wrote: "I am still keeping my position as orderly...I have plenty to do at times, but I always try and do my best. I hope these few lines will find you all at home in the best of health, as I am pleased to say they leave me at present."

• We have received a letter from a correspondent who suggested the opening of a local fund for supplying plum puddings to the troops at Christmas. If there should be any general desire on the part of our readers to help in supplying our soldiers with their Christmas pudding, we should be pleased to receive subscriptions and forward them to the proper quarter. The puddings will be of the best quality, every necessary precaution being taken in that direction, and the distribution will be undertaken by the military authorities, whose hearty approval has been given to the scheme.

• Considerable excitement was caused in the district on Friday afternoon owing to the descent of an aeroplane, which came to earth about 3 pm in a field belonging to the farm at Mangrove occupied by Mr M. Titmuss, of Stopsley. The machine, which was a biplane, had made a journey from Brooklands and came to earth for the pilot to make sure of his whereabouts. It carried an observer also, both being officers of the Royal Flying Corps. On restarting a large stone caught one of the blades of the propeller and tore a piece from it. A new blade could not be obtained, however, until the following morning, and the repair then having been affected the machine and its occupants left about 9 o'clock. A large number of people came from the surrounding district to see the "bird," many of them having their first view of an aeroplane at close quarters.

• About half-past five yesterday (Wednesday) morning a fire broke out in the basement of Messrs Blundell's premises in Cheapside. The Fire Brigade were quickly on the spot and, thanks to an early call out, extinguished the flames before they extended from the basement, where a large quantity of buckram caught fire from hot ashes in the stoke-hole of the heating apparatus. Two firemen used self-contained breathing apparatus (purchased on June 3rd) for the first time to reach the centre of the trouble. Smoke had penetrated throughout the whole of the premises and was escaping through the upper windows.

• From 'Red Maids Section' of a Bristol Military Hospital, W. Boaker, A.S.C., wrote: Being an inmate of the above hospital and interested in football, I thought you would like to know that one of your ex-Town players, L-Cpl Bob Latheron, who was transferred from the Bedfordshire Regiment to the London Royal Fusiliers, was wounded on October 2nd on the Somme. He has shrapnel wounds in the back, but is recovering and trusting to be home shortly for a few days' leave." Latheron came come last year as a recruiting sergeant for the 5th Beds Regt.

• At Christ Church yesterday, Miss Jane Annie Horton, youngest daughter of Mr John Horton, of 63 Cardigan Street, Luton, was married to Sgt William Manning, of the Lincoln Regiment. Sgt Manning had been at the Front for lengthy periods since enlisting and was convalescing after sickness. He will shortly be returning to rest camp.

• About 9 o'clock last evening a Manchester Street harness maker names Gilbert Wild was knocked down by a tramcar in that thoroughfare and rendered unconscious. First aid was given by Sgt Matsell and Pc Parsons, and after being attended by Dr Harmer he was taken home by police. The unfortunate accident shows the necessity for extreme care being taken these dark nights when crossing the road.

• Official notice appears in our columns today of the liquidation of the Luton Chemical Works Ltd. It should be noted that the liquidation is under special resolutions and is not in any way an insolvent liquidation. For business reasons, the Luton Chemical Works Ltd, which was at the time of formation a branch of B. Laporte Ltd, of Luton and Bradford, has been taken over by B. Laporte Ltd and will be worked as part of their business at Luton. All the creditors have been or will be duly paid.

• With Col C. H. Alexander's permission, the Biscot Camp Pierrot Troupe gave another of their highly diverting entertainments at the Liberal Club last night. Tonight (Thursday) the troupe are giving yet another show at St Saviour's, other engagements being at the Conservative Club on the 31st and at Kettering on the 28th.

• Considerable interest was manifested in the neighbourhood of George Street on Tuesday morning when smoke was seen coming from a steam waggon with a second waggon trailing at the rear, belonging to the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers and laden with cement. The wooden hub of of one of the front wheels of the second waggon was found to be on fire, caused probably by continued friction. A few buckets of water sufficed to extinguish the fire, and the waggon was soon able to proceed.

• The Rev Canon Woodward, Rector of Southwark and only surviving brother of Mrs Chapman, wife of the Vicar of Luton, has been awarded the Military Cross for bravery in attending to the wounded. He was wounded himself while carrying out his duties as a chaplain at the Front.

• Wardown V.A.D. Hospital report for week ending October 17th, 1916, shows 23 patients admitted, 15 discharged and 50 remaining.

• Pte William Canderton (pictured right), aged 23, the son of Mr and Mrs William Canderton, of 24 Maple Road, Luton, and who prior to enlistment was employed at Vauxhall, has been wounded for a second time and is now at the base. [Tragic news would reach the family after another son, Pte James Canderton, aged 19, serving with the Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) was killed in action on October 26th, 1916.]

• Over 12 months ago Driver Bertram Ashwell, of the A.S.C., whose home is at 45 Stuart Street, was blown up by a 'Jack Johnson' in France and has been on pension until quite recently, suffering from a muscular injury. Tired of inactivity, he enlisted in the Navy, being placed on HMS Victory. His old injury so asserted itself, however, that he has been invalided from that branch of the service also, and now awaits his discharge.

• Company Sgt-Major Arthur Andrews, Luton's double D.C.M. winner, is now home on leave from the Front. He has spent a few days with Mrs Andrews in Scotland and goes back to the Front tomorrow.

• Following upon the anxiety of the Mayor and Mayoress a few weeks ago concerning their eldest son (now happily allayed) has come fresh cause of solicitude - the parting with their next son, who left Luton yesterday en route for India. He is an officer, and is taking out a draft of men.

• The number of men from Caddington who have joined the Army is now 64, and just over half are on active service. Four are on the list of sick and wounded - George Brandham and Sam Burgess (both in hospital in France suffering from enteric fever), Frederick Whitmore (in hospital at Birmingham following while unloading a waggon belonging tothe Army Service Corps) and John Webb (suffering from a severe wound in the right elbow).

• Another Luton young man, Rifleman Fred Rookwood, of the London Regiment, has made the supreme sacrifice on the Somme. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Rookwood, of 14 Ashton Street, and leaves a young widow.