Stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: October 30th, 1915.

The announcement that the great meeting at Luton next Thursday to hear Mr Horatio Bottomley speak on the war has had to be postponed will be learned with general regret by Luton people who, it is no exaggeration to say, were keenly looking forward to the opportunity of listening to this remarkable man.

The intimation was received by Lieut W. R. Limbert yesterday in the following telegram from Mr Bottomley's organising secretary - "Very sorry inform you Mr Bottomley has important engagement with Ministers of Crown which will prevent his coming next Thursday. Delighted to come later - Houston."

From Lieut Limbert we learn by phone this morning that Mr Bottomley regrets exceedingly having to postpone the meeting. However, he assured Mr Limbert that nothing shall stand in the way of his coming to Luton on another day - which will be a Thursday - and the definite date he has promised to settle on Monday next. The fixture will be announced immediately, and tickets already sold will be available for the altered date.

[The meeting was finally held on December 9th, 1915, at the Palace Theatre, Mill Street. Horatio Bottomley picture: Wikipedia.]

• Major Archibald has written to Mr and Mrs Betts, of 57 Ashton Road, Luton, informing them of the death of their son, Pte Joseph Edward Betts, of the Eastern Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance. Pte Betts was only 20 years of age, and he formerly worked for Mr F. C. Lane, blockmaker, Pike's Close.

• The funeral of Pte Frank Boutwood, the first of the gallant 1/5th to be brought back to Luton for his final resting place, took place on Thursday afternoon. It was the occasion of an impressive military procession and of a general demonstration of respect.

• Mrs M. Dolby, 49 New Town Street, Luton, has been notified by the Territorial Records Office, Warley, that her husband, Cpl Percy Dolby, 3453, 1/5th Bedfords, has been admitted to the 5th Canadian Stationary Hospital, Abbassia, Egypt, suffering from a double hernia.

• Pte Arthur Adams, 1/5th Beds Regt, whose home is at 17 Charles Street, Luton, wrote to Mr F. G. Pates, of 85 Ashburnham Road: "If I get to England again and anybody says anything about flies I think I shall punch him on the n ose. It's a toss up whether the flies get our food first. We generally manage to swallow one or two."

• Started less than a fortnight ago, the 1/5th Bedfordshires Comforts Fund has so caught on in popular favour that already over £100 has been subscribed. It is an excellent beginning, but much more is desired, for it has to be remembered that the strength of the battalion is normally about 1,000 men, and the wish is that not one lot of comforts shall be sent but that regular parcels shall be despatched.

• One misapprehension in connection with recruiting in Luton needs removing. The activity on behalf of the 3/5th Bedfords is such that some eligibles believe that the Corn Exchange Recruiting Office is only for the benefit of that battalion. This week four lads whose inclination was for another branch of the Service went to Bedford to offer their services and were all accepted. Had they but known it, they could have applied to Major Orde and obtained travelling warrants. they could then have saved their money and Luton would have had the credit of sending them into the forces, whereas these four recruits will be added to the Bedford weekly total.

• Mr Albert E. Ansell, Havelock Road, who is Secretary of the Bedfordshire Football Association, has kindly undertaken the work of receiving subscriptions and dispatching footballs to cheer up men at the front and help keep them fit. We are this week giving him a list of half a dozen additional names of applicants, and he is anxious to satisfy them without undue delay but is handicapped by want of funds. Donations should be sent to Mr Ansell.

• Mr Cecil B. Harmsworth, MP for Luton and South Beds, is the chairman of a committee which the Home Secretary has just appointed to consider the conditions of clerical and commercial employment with a view to advising what steps should be taken by the employment of women or otherwise to replace men withdrawn for service in the military forces.

• Former Stoke and Aston Villa player Archie Dyke, now a private in the Army Veterinary Corps of the North Midland Division based near Stockwood, made his debut for Luton Town when FA Amateur Cup holders Clapton were the visitors for a friendly match. Of course, he may be out of practice but a few games and a little training under Billy Lawson should soon bring him up to concert pitch, wrote columnist Crusader in a preview of the match. Dyke's commanding officer had intimated that he could play for the club when his services were not required at the hospital.

• About 50 sheep had been browsing on the pitch for two days ahead of the Luton-Clapton friendly to help get it into condition. Bob Hawkes won the toss for the Blues (Luton Town), who were 3-0 ahead at half time thanks to a hat-trick by Wileman, including a penalty. Wileman added a fourth and Roe two goals to make the final score 6-1, Sherwood the scorer for Clapton. Both teams had been original members of the Southern League.