Pte Sidney James Whittemore, 6710, of the 1st Battalion, Beds Regt, was killed in action in the neighbourhood of Ypres on November 7th, 1914. He was aged 34.
Pte Whittemore, whose home address was 10 Park Way, High Town, Luton, left a widow, Edith, and three little children. His parents, Mr and Mrs George Whittemore, lived at Stopsley.
He was a reservist who prior to the war was working for Messrs T. Balmforth and Co, boilermakers, Pondwicks Road, Luton. After being called up at the outbreak of war he was for a short time with the 3rd Battalion, Beds Regt, at Felixstowe.
Pte Sidney Cain, 3/7393, 2nd Battalion, Beds Regt, was killed in action on October 31st, 1914. He was 28 years old.
Parents Mr and Mrs Alfred Cain, who lived at 54 Duke Street, Luton, learned from Pte Bates, who had been serving with Pte Cain, that their son was killed instantly by a rifle bullet in one of the big engagements during which the 2nd Bedfords were in the thickest of the fighting and suffered heavy casualties.
Lance Corporal Huggins served with the 8th Bedfordshire Regiment in France from August 1915 and he survived the war. His family have donated photographs, service papers and his travelling clock and pocket book to Wardown Museum and these will be on display in the WW1 Exhibition from 5th August 2014.
From the Luton News 9th January 1917. A WHEATHAMPSTEAD SOLDIER. Reported Missing. We are requested to publish the fact that Pte Frederick Russell of the Beds Regiment (whose sister lives at 152 North Street, Luton) has been "reported missing" since November 16th and his mother, Mrs W Russell who lives at Gustard Wood Common, Wheathampstead, would be very grateful for any news of him. Pte Russell, who is aged 22, was employed as a groom at Welwyn prior to enlistment. He joined the Army in August 1914 and went to France in July 1915.
Leonard Euinton was born on the 12 September 1888 at 2 Bolton Road, Luton and following school was employed as a Moulder by trade. He married Edith May Elston at St. Mathews Church, Hightown on the 29 October 1910 and resided at 57 Boyle Street, they had one child Ruby Olive who was born 1 February 1913.
Details imported from Luton Absent Voters list and National Roll of the Great War (Section V)
The National Roll (mostly submitted by families) describes his service as follows: L/Cpl Gutteridge volunteered in August 1914 and proceeded to France in July of the following year. He took part in much severe fighting in the Somme area until February 1916 when he returned home owing to illness and was discharged in March as unfit for military service. He holds the 1914-15 Star and the General Service and Victory medals.
