Truly, the British Tommy sees life in all its aspects. Pte A. E. Waller (pictured), a member of the Luton Red Cross Band who prior to enlistment last April worked in the Town Clerk's department at the Town Hall as the National Registration clerk, writes from "somewhere in France" of his experiences.
"I have been out here just over three months," he says, "but during that time I have seen and done nearly everything under the sun, except go in the trenches. That has been denied me up to now, and I am indeed fortunate.
"For the first three weeks I was here I stayed at the base touring the 'halls' as one of a vocal and instrumental quartet party - the 'halls' being the different church huts, dining halls etc. We had a concert to attend nearly every night, and sometimes we did as many as five turns in a night. We were excused all parades to allow us to rehearse fresh items, and altogether we had quite a decent time, but when we had tortured then enough they sent me up the line.
"We arrived at the right time - a band had just been formed in the battalion, and they wanted more men, so we were immediately made into bandsmen.
"While the battalion is in the trenches we stay with the transport, and we help in all sorts of ways - coal heaving, navvying, washing and repainting timbers etc. It is all work, but it is infinitely better than standing all day in a dug-out, especially during the severe weather we have been having.
"When the boys are out, we accompany them on route marches. We also play at the officers' mess almost every other night and, of course, we attend church parades.
"Really it is the most congenial occupation I could have found out here. We have to rough it just as every Tommy had to do - we sleep in barns, stables, lofts, anywhere at all, and we don't mind a bit it we get some shelter and a lot of straw to lie on."
Pte Waller is now in hospital suffering from septic foot, brought on by long and frequent marches on the rough roads. It is indeed true that the Tommy can put his hand to anything, as Pte Waller was a clerk and now paints, washes etc. He is enjoying his rest in hospital, with the soft food and better food, but, as he says, "all good things end some time".
[Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: April 7th, 1917]
In a later edition of The Luton News, Pte Waller was featured among 20 members of the Luton Red Cross Band serving in the forces. He was listed as serving with the Royal North Lancs Regiment in France, with a home address of 'Hillside,' Kingston Road, Luton. He played solo cornet with the band. The Luton Band website says all band members returned safely from the war.