William Thomas Panter, Pte/Cpl, (or bill as he was known), joined the army on 2nd Feb 1914 at Kempston Barracks, which covered a considerable area in those days, (just the main entrance building remains today).
Ernest W.T. Groom was a member of the 2nd Battallion The Bedfordshire Regiment, and was killed on the 11th July 1916 during the attack on Trones Wood.
The advance started at 3:10 AM, and the advance was not spotted until the men were 400 yards from the enemy. At this moment, machine guns opened fire on the men and the battle began. The woodlands were so dense and the night so dark, that it became impossible to see more than 5 yards ahead.
Private Groom died alongside 5 Officers and 239 Other ranks.
Miss Wilkin is listed in the National Roll of the Great War as a Special War Worker at George Kent's Munition factory.
This lady volunteered for work of National Importance and from January 1915 until December 1918 was employed in the Fuse Department of the Chaul End Munition Factory, Luton. Throughout her service she discharged her duties in a thoroughly capable and efficient manner and to the entire satisfaction of her employers.
In the 1911 census, Walter was living at 30 Oak Road, Luton. He was living with his 50 year old father Walter, who was as brickmaker's labourer, sister Ellen Victoria, 23, working as a launderess and his 17 year old sister Edith, who is a strawhat machinist. Walter is working as a sawmill machinist.
