Bertram Silsby (or Silsbey, the surname changes) was the youngest son of George and Elizabeth Silsby, and brother to Emily, Florrie, Ellen and Frederick Silsby, from Hitchin. His father was a boot maker, but tragically died when Bertram was young, meaning the family had to move to 50 Buxton Road Luton.
Bertram lived at 104 Ashburnham Road when he joined the army.
He was awarded the military medal for his "gallant conduct and devotion to duty on the field of battle at Fricourt on January 18th 1916."
Pte George Cox, 5233, 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment, was killed in action at Ypres on June 22nd, 1915. He was aged 35.
Many Luton people will deplore the loss of a personal friend, said The Luton News. He was employed at the Luton Gas Works and resided at 68 Beech Road. He was called up as a reservist on the outbreak of war and drafted to the front in early September, having been there ever since.
Mrs Cox received only the bare official intimation from the War Office, but she received from Sgt W. Bartram, a letter in which he wrote:
Capt. Albert Ball (V.C. D.S.O. M.C.) , the hero of a hundred air fights, who was billeted in Luton in the early days of the war as a Lieutenant in the North Midland Division, and has since won distinction after distinction by his work in the Royal Flying Corps, revisited Luton on Sunday week.
