Ernest Wright was born in Luton in October 1894.

In 1911 he was 16 years old & working as a straw hat finisher. He was living with his family at 98 Midland Road. His father Sidney 59 is an employer in the straw hat manufacturing trade working from home with some members of the family. Ernest's mother Jane 52, sister Ethel 21 & boarder Agnes Waller 24 are machinists. Twin brother Walter is a general engineer, whilst Beatrice 14 is assisting at home with their invalid sister 28 year old Edith Emma.

Cpl William Gurney, 97201, No 8 Depot Company, Royal Engineers, died in the Red Cross Hospital at Newark, Notts, from an acute internal condition. He was taken suddenly ill and died ten hours later.

He had served with the Guards in the South African campaign for which he was awarded two medals and eight bars. He rejoined the Colour at the outbreak of war and became attached to the Royal Engineers at Newark as an instructor.

Pte Albert Edgar Saunders, 235327, 18th Battalion The King's (Liverpool Regiment), died in King George's Hospital, London, on November 24th, 1918, as a result of wounds sustained at Ypres on April 29th, 1918. A gunshot wound in the neck had caused paralysis of his body and legs, and he had been in the London hospital since early May. He was discharged as unfit for service in August 1918.

Pte William James Proctor, 25628, 8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment (Depot), died from pneumonia in the London General Hospital, Camberwell, on March 3rd, 1917. He was aged 33.

Born in Redbourn, he played football for Luton's Clarence FC and in June 1916 joined the 27th Middlesex Regiment (the Footballers' Battalion) [3445] under the Derby scheme. He trained at Aldershot and about five months before his death proceeded to France, where he was transferred to the East Surrey Regiment.

Albert Edward Marsh was born in Luton in 1899.

In 1911 he is a 12 year old school boy & living with his family at 30 St Ann's Road.

There are 12 people living in this 4 roomed house. His father Charles George is 38 years old & working as a bricklayer's labourer & his mother Lily 38, is a straw hat worker. Lily & Charles George met when they were lodged with Lily's aunt Mary Else & her brother Frank Spacey at 102 New Town Street in 1891.

Charles Edward Payne was born in Luton in 1866. He married Sarah Ann Howe in 1892.

In 1911 they are living at 98 Baker Street. Charles is 46 years old and a straw worker. Sarah is 48 and also a straw worker at home. They had been married for 19 years but had had no children. Sarah's mother, Ann, a 60-year-old widow, is also living with them.

Harold William Charles Brightman was born in Luton in 1900. He came from a large family and was the eldest son of 7 children to William J & Emma.

Augustus Fensome was born in Luton in October 1894, only son of Albert & Sarah Ann.

His father was a printer & stationer. The family are living at 41 Waller Street in 1901.

In 1911 48 year old Sarah Ann is now widowed & has taken on the family business in Waller Street, 14 year old Augustus is working as a boy clerk, his 21 year old sister Hilda Muriel is living with them.

Pte Herbert George Ayres, 27915, 6th Battalion Northants Regiment, who died from double pneumonia on October 26th, 1918, was buried at Luton Church Cemetery in Crawley Green Road on October 31st. His body was borne on a gun carriage from his home at 360 Hitchin Road, Round Green, preceded by the band of the Royal Field Artillery from Biscot.

Pte Archibald (Archer) Punter, 5604, 1st Battalion, Beds Regt, was killed in action on November 16th, 1914, in the First Battle of Ypres. He was a married man aged 33, whose wife lived at 24 Dane Road, Luton.

Private Joseph Harcourt, 3/5014, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action on November 9th, 1914. Although commemorated on the Luton Roll of Honour, Warwickshire-born Joseph's death does not seem to have been reported in newspapers in Luton, where his brother William was living at the time.

Pte Stanley George Crawley, died in a hospital near Shrewsbury on September 19th, 1918, seven months after contracting a complicated illness while serving on the Eastern Front and being sent home.

When war broke out Stanley joined the 1st/5th Bedfordshire Regiment. On mobilisation he was found to be a home service man, and was not with the battalion at Gallipoli. He eventually joined them in 1916 and saw active service. The climate in the East brought on his illness early in 1918and two weeks before his death he arrived at the hospital near Shrewsbury.

Gunner Ernest Stanley Rosson, 254727, 21st Reserve Battery Royal Field Artillery, was preparing to embark with a draft for France when he was taken ill with influenza. Pneumonia took over and he was taken to Shorncliffe Military Hospital in Kent, where he died eight days later.

Pte Arthur Catlin, 46908, 660th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps (ex-Suffolk Regiment), died suddenly at Lakenham Hospital, Norwich, on February 14th, 1918, after contracting a serious illness. He was buried at Luton General Cemetery on February 19th, 1918, aged 36.

Bedford-born Arthur married Florence Maud Coleman in Luton in late 1909. The couple lived at 34 Malvern Road, Luton, and Arthur had worked at the English & Scottish Co-operative Society Society's cocoa and chocolate works in Dallow Road, Luton.

Ernest Bates, aged 29, of 59 Cromwell Road, Luton, died at Wardown Park V.A.D. Hospital at 2.25pm on December 29th, 1918, from double pneumonia and heart failure while on 14 days leave from France. He had been admitted to the hospital on December 21st with influenza, and is buried at Rothesay Road Cemetery Luton.

 The 1911 census shows us that Ernest was the youngest son of Joseph and Jane Bates, and was born 14 years after his sister Jane and 16 years after his brother John.

Joseph was 50 when Ernest was born, Jane was 45.