Digest of stories from The Luton News: Thursday, December 21st, 1916.

A serious accident occurred at Biscot Camp yesterday when a trench mortar bomb exploded in the midst of certain training operations before it was timed to go off.

There were several R.F.A. men close to it at the time, and among the injured were Lieut O'Donnell, who had a smashed elbow and a forearm wound; Cpl Campbell, who had lost a first finger; and Gunner Jackson, who had sustained a fractured jaw and serious injuries to the head, being in a critical condition. The injured soldiers, after first aid treatment, were conveyed to the Bute Hospital.

[Gunner Ernest Victor Jackson, 1300, A Battery, Royal Field Artillery, died in hospital on the morning of Friday, December 22nd, from his injuries. The 21-year-old was buried with full military honours at Luton Church Cemetery, Crawley Green Road, on December 27th. At an inquest in January a verdict of accidental death was returned by a jury. Meanwhile, Lieut O'Donnell was transferred on December 23rd to a hospital in London.]

• On Saturday morning an accident occurred at Chaul End by which William Tearle, aged 17, lost two of the fingers of his left hand. Another worker, Alfred Dyer sustained injuries to his side and hands. Both were taken to the Bute Hospital. The patients are now progressing favourably.

• Pigs destined for market in Luton caused distractions. Three escapees tried to get into a nearby public house but retired in a hurry, and one jumped from a hamper at the Midland Railway Station to dive under the footboard of a train. The young porker was eventually found alive and well, but scared, on the track.

• At Tuesday's meeting of the Town Council, the Town Clerk read a circular letter which had been received from the Board of Agriculture stating that a regulation had been made with a view to increasing the food supply of the country, and by extending the existing powers of local authorities to secure the cultivation of unoccupied land, and power was also given to take possession of occupied land by agreement.

• The Davis Athletic and Social Club gave a successful entertainment to wounded soldiers on Saturday evening at the Diamond Foundry. The ladies committee undertook the collection of subscriptions and received enthusiastic support from employees. About 30 soldiers were invited from Wardown V.A.D. Hospital and 30 from the County of Middlesex War Hospital at Napsbury, and they were conveyed to and from the party by volunteers with cars. Catering was undertaken voluntarily by Davis mess room staff.

• The annual Christmas party for the children of employees of Messrs G. Kent Ltd was held on Saturday afternoon in the large mess room at Kent's works, Biscot Road, Luton. There were about 400 children present. Each children was given a present, and on leaving for home each received a bag of sweets and an orange.

• Councillor Unwin called attention at Tuesday's meeting of the Town Council to the danger and darkness at early morning when hundreds had to grope about for the steps at the railway station. Pointing out that the situation had produced some very strong language, Councillor Impey also said while some had been fined for showing lights in their houses, his attention had been drawn to a glaring light from the foundry at the top of Chapel Street every night last week.

• Probably owing to the foggy evening, the audience at the concert in aid of prisoners of war at the Town Hall on Saturday was not as large as expected, but nevertheless the programme arranged by Mr Russell Dellar was much enjoyed. Councillor Escott presided and made a short statement of the progress and work of the "N.T.F." [Nine Thirty-Five, a magazine produced by businessmen using the 9.35pm train to Harpenden]. The first issue of four type-written copies had not increased to 2,400 prints, he said.

• A meeting of the National Union of Women's Suffrage was held at the Castle Street Hall on Monday afternoon, when Miss L. F. Waring, from a London unit of the Scottish Women's Hospital's for Foreign Service, spoke about the splendid work done by the women in hospitals in India, and Miss Geraldine Cooke, of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies, made a stirring speech in regard to the position of the cause at the present day.

• Three more names were including in reports of soldiers who died on the battlefield. They were Pte Thomas Northwood (killed in action), son of Mrs Northwood, of 118 Wellington Street, Luton; Pte Thomas Fleckney (died of wounds), husband of Rose and father of five children, of 7 Elizabeth Street, Luton; and Lieut Ernest Isaac Barrow.

• Although official information has not been received that Pte William Impey (Beds Regiment) has been killed, it is practically certain that he has made the great sacrifice. Sgt E. C. Males said in a letter that he had made the fullest enquiries and he thought Pte Impey was killed on October 12th.

• On Tuesday the funeral took place of Sgt "Bert" Beaumont, eldest son of Mr F. Beaumont, a well-known butcher in the village. Sgt Beaumont underwent several operations at St Albans Hospital for an internal complaint, but failed to pull through.

• Tributes were paid at Tuesday evening's meeting of Luton Town Council to Chief Constable David Teale, who died on December 13th. The following resolution was also passed: "That this Council hereby expresses very deep sympathy and condolence with the widow and daughter of Mr David Teale, who fore more than 22 years faithfully, diligently and efficiently performed his duty as Chief Constable of this borough." I was also announced that Inspector Hagley would act as Chief Constable pro-tem.