Pte Reginald Bigg was a 22-year-old who had enlisted in the East Surrey Regiment on September 18th, 1915. He went to France on January 7th, 1916, and was wounded the following September at Thiepval on the Somme.

In April 1917 he was at home on leave at 115 Tennyson Road, Luton, suffering from a frost-bitten foot. And as he prepared to return to Epsom Convalescent Home he gave this account to The Luton News (April 26th, 1917) of being on board the hospital ship Gloucester Castle which was torpedoed without warning by a German submarine on the night of March 30th-31st.

"We started from Le Havre at 8.30pm on March 30th on the hospital ship Gloucester Castle. After we had settled down on board, we were given small tickets indicating which boat we were to go to, and on which side of the vessel, in case of emergency and in case we were torpedoed. We were also shown the way to put on our life-belts. After various particulars had been taken, lights were lowered and I settled down for a few hours sleep.

"I was suddenly awakened about 11.45pm by a violent explosion. I immediately got up, but on my life-belt and waited. We had not long to wait, for in about two minutes the order was given to put on life-belts, make our way to the decks and get into the boats.

"We had not a moment's delay, nor the slightest sign of confusion. Everybody was perfectly calm, which, I suppose, was mainly due to the Army discipline, and we have had enough of that drummed into us to last us a lifetime. There were several hundred patients on board ship, casualties I suppose you could call them.

"The torpedo had exploded in the engine room and of course put all the machinery out of action and also, I am sorry to say, several engineers. My boat was No. 4, port side, and we hung from the davits for about an hour to allow the other boats to get clear, as there was a very heavy swell on.

"There were about 30 occupants in my boat, wounded and sick, and about two nurses, and they helped us to row. In the meantime lights were seen from the cruiser coming to our rescue in answer to the distress signals sent by the officers of our ship.

"We were eventually lowered into the water at 1am, and everybody who could move put a willing hand to the oars. Over half the occupants had their legs in splints, but slowly and surely we pulled away from the vessel. We sang all the popular songs we could.

"Then, all of a sudden, we saw a vessel about 100 yards away standing by to pick up survivors. We gave three cheers and pulled for all we were worth.

"We had been in the open boats for about an hour. We had to climb aboard by means of rope ladders, which was not at all easy. Our boat rose a good 15 feet with the swell. You had to wait for the opportunity when the boat was at its highest, and then get a hold on the ladder

and up you go.

"We were treated extremely well on board this vessel. They had plenty of boiling hot coffee ready for us, and bread and butter. The ship stood by until daybreak to pick up any remaining survivors.

"We eventually landed at Southampton at about 11.30am on March 31st. I have learned since the the Gloucester Castle did not sink and has been brought into Southampton. Two of the little lifeboats were smashed, so of course the other boats were rather crowded.

"It was very chilly that night and I had practically no clothes on, and only pyjamas and blankets round me, and they got wet.

"The Gloucester Castle had no escort and was brilliantly lighted. When the ship was struck all the electric lights went out, thought there were a few oil lamps. Most of the wounded on board went to the Netley Hospital [near Southampton]."

Also on the ship was 21-year-old Pte Cyril Ling, of the Bedfordshire Regiment, whose home was in Oak Road [now Oakley Road], Leagrave. He was taken to the Milton Hospital, Portsmouth.

[The Gloucester Castle was salvaged and returned to civilian service after the war. Three lives had been lost.]

[The Luton News: Thursday, April 26th, 1917]