A ceremony took place at Biscot in the presence of No 6 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, on December 15th, 1918, when the Distinguished Conduct Medal was presented to former Gunner Arthur Atterbury (41358, Machine Gun Corps), of 52 Alma Street, Luton.

The Luton News (December 19, 1918) reported that Mr Atterbury had been discharged on account of injuries to the head and shell shock, and the recommendation for the award came from private soldiers, no officer being present at the time.

Arthur Atterbury's later citation read: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in keeping his gun in action in an isolated position all day. Eventually he was surrounded, but, assisted by an NCO, he picked up the gun and rushed it back, refusing to surrender it when called upon to do so.” He had been wounded on April 14th and was discharged as medically unfit for war service in November.

Arthur Atterbury (pictured) had enlisted as a volunteer in September 1914, serving first in the Artillery, then in the Hussars and finally in the Machine Gun Corps. He had taken part in much heavy fighting, until April 14th, 1918, when an explosion of his gun caused the injuries to his head and also shell shock.

On the same occasion the Military Medal was presented to Pte Walter Warren (9th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps), whose home was at 19 Brook Street, Luton, and who was home on leave from France.