Quartermaster-Sgt Arthur Andrews, whose award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal was announced on June 10th, revealed in a letter to his wife that he had now won a clasp to it - equivalent to winning the medal twice. It was an achievement equalled by only one other man in the Army at that time.

In consequence, Mayor of Luton Councillor Walter Primett sent a letter to his wife at 15 Adelaide Street, Luton, writing: "I have been informed that your husband has been awarded a second Distinguished Conduct Medal for his services at the war, and it gives me very great pleasure to congratulate him most heartily on the remarkable distinction which he has earned. The town is very proud of him, and I trust that he may return to you, safe and sound, at no distant date."

QMS Andrews first gained the DCM for frequently showing conspicuous gallantry and ability in keeping telephonic communications intact, and often superintending the repair of wires under heavy fire. "His services in this direction have been invaluable," said the official announcement.

The old boy of Queen Square School, Luton, whose parents lived at 110 Wellington Street, had unexpectedly arrived home two weeks earlier. He modestly refused to say anything to the official record of his bravery, and it was only after being subjected to considerable pressure by our persistent photographer that he allowed himself to be 'snapped,' said the Saturday Telegraph.

He returned to the Front at the beginning of last week and, already a hero with his regiment (the 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry), he now finds himself on a still higher pedestal, for since his return to has been posted in regimental orders as again a winner of the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

It was characteristic of Sgt Andrews that when home last weekend he never mentioned any further deed or deeds for which he expected recognition. He never sought notice, but was content to remain in the family circle.

An example of his extreme modesty is shown in the way he informs his wife of this second honour. He simply said in his daily letter to her: "I have another good bit of news for you. I have got a clasp on the DCM. That is equivalent to another medal. There is only one other in the Army. No bad for me is it?"

Needless to say, Mrs Andrews, who has four robust little ones, is delighted with her brave husband's distinction, yet she accepts it with the spirit of the Scot. That she is immensely proud of "her man" goes without saying, but she says that he could be trusted to do his duty as a soldier, and a British soldier.

Mrs Andrews is a descendent of a soldier who found under Wellington at Corunna and Vimeiro, and so well known and respected is her family at Wanlockhead, Dumfries, that when Sgt Andrews gained his first DCM the school children were given a gala day. What will happen when the news reaches them of his second achievement we can hardly conjecture.

It is to be hoped that Luton, from an official standpoint, will take some cognisance of this achievement, for only one other soldier in the entire British Army has equalled the performance of Sgt Andrews by winning a second DCM.

He has been 12 years in the Army and was promoted from sergeant to company quartermaster-sergeant after he went to the front in August last. He has been through the campaign and so far has escaped scatheless.

[Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: July 17th, 1915]

On the morning of Easter Monday (April 9th), 1917, Arthur Andrews, who had gained a commission the previous February, was wounded in both legs when a bomb was accidentally dropped at his feet in his dug-out.

Second Lieut George White, a fellow officer, wrote to Mrs Andrews at 15, Adelaide Street, Luton: "I have learned from his servant that in bombing a dug-out one of the men accidentally dropped a bomb at Mr Andrews' feet. I have been told that his wounds were not serious, he getting one or two splinters from the bomb which compelled him to go to hospital."

A later postcard confirmed the news and informed Mrs Andrews that her husband had been taken to Manchester. A further letter said he had been under an operation and shrapnel had been removed from each leg.

[Unfortunately, blood poisoning resulted in one of Arthur Andrews' legs having to be amputated later that summer]

[The Luton News: Thursday, April 19th, 1917]