Pte Herbert Harold Howkins, 11888, 11th Royal Fusiliers, was reported to have been killed in action on the Somme on September 25th, 1916. He was aged 31.
He was the son of the late John Howkins (died 1892), who had been licensee of the Fox pub in Dunstable Road. His mother, Harriet, remarried in 1895 and lived under her new married name of Seabrook at 134 Dallow Road, Luton.
Capt G. W. Morgan wrote to Mrs Seabrook: "Pte Howkins was a machine gunner, and was hit by a shell and died instantly. The same shell killed four and wounded other men of the same section.
"This happened during the attack on the German stronghold on September 25th in which the Royal Fusiliers took part. Pte Howkins did his duty nobly and well, and was a splendid soldier, cool and brave in most trying times."
Pte Howkins is commemorated on the Luton Roll of Honour, but Pte 11888 Royal Fusiliers on the Thiepval Memorial on the Somme is listed as Pte Harry Hern, killed September 26th, 1916. Pte Howkins does not appear under that name in military records.