In the Battle School Hospital at Reading is a brave Lutonian - Pte George Doughty, 5596, 1st Beds Regt, who has finished his fighting career. He served 13 years with the Bedfordshire Regiment, and was a reservist when the war clouds broke in August last. He has done well indeed for his country, and he has lost his left arm in its service.
Recently he came home from hospital to see his baby, who was ill, at 14 Ebenezer Street, Luton, but since his return complications have set in and his stay in hospital will be much longer.
The son of Mrs Doughty, of 23 North Street, he has written many letters describing the severity of the fighting in which the Bedfordshires have been engaged, and we reproduce the following passages from some of them.
Writing to his brother soon after the latter enlisted, he said: "I have been in some tight corners. The place we are holding now is a very hot place. The Germans are knocking a lot of our chaps out and we have to watch like hawks. They are throwing trench mortars all the time, and I am sure they are worse than 'Jack Johnsons'. I think we have lost about 80 in six days this time, and I had to run from one place to another to escape getting hit. I have been in the firing line a long time now and I cannot tell you how I have escaped.
"I got out in the daylight the other day to get some water and I thought I should not be hit, but I had no sooner moved than a bullet want by my face into the mud. I got down on my stomach and crawled back. I squeeze myself up against the trench when we are being shelled. You don't know what to do when those things are on."
In another letter he says: "I think it will want a lot more out here before it is finished. Well that is my idea, and if they won't join the Army I think they should claim them, as life would not be worth living if they beat us now, but I hardly expect that. The good old Bedfordshires are willing to do their share. We have a good name now and we are willing to give our lives if necessary. I have faced death a dozen times and even now I am kicking."
Again: "I have been through some fierce fighting this month. I suppose you have hear of the battle of Hill 60. The Germans are cowards. They are murdering us by poisoning us with gas. We can hardly fight against it. It will be good if our people can give us something to guard us against it. It is cruel to see the lads go under without getting a chance. I can say, however, the brave Bedfords hold their own despite the losses. We are having a rest now and I think we fully deserve it."
After being gassed he wrote: "I am pleased to say I am safe up to the writing of this letter, but I cannot get this gas off my chest yet. It has made my breath a lot worse. I am hoping we do not get any more of that stuff yet awhile."
In a further letter he says: "I received your letter at the back of Hill 60. I am pleased to say I have shaken off the effects of fighting for Hill 60 and the attack of poison gas, and I expect I shall have to get ready for some more fighting. After eight months of it I have been in every fight my regiment has been in. Since I joined I have seen comrades come and go, and I am hardened to it, but I should like to see Luton once more. Just for luck I am sending you a leaf I plucked not a quarter of a mile from where hundreds of British soldiers have fought and died this last month on that memorable Hill 60."
In the next letter, written from the Military Hospital at Reading, he says: "I suppose you have heard of my luck. Well, I think I have done well for my country. My left arm is off right to the shoulder. I was struck by a piece of shell. I hope to see you all again soon for I am in dear old England once again, thank the Lord, and not far from home either. I shall be glad to get to Luton once more."
He gives in a later letter more details of the affair. He says: "I was in a support trench with some more, when a shell 'busted' right on top of the trench, killing one and blowing my arm to pieces - well, they had to take it off to save my life. It is hard luck, but it was for my country so I can't grumble."
Mrs Doughty has two other sons with the Colours - Pte Percy Doughty, 1/5th Beds Regt, and Pte Arthur Doughty, who is in the machine gun section of the 2/5th Beds Regt.
[The Luton News: Thursday, July 29th, 1915]