Diary: Shot fired at Cycle Corps signaller

 

Cyclist Corps

[Men of 2/1st North Midland Cyclist Corps pictured on morning parade in Dale Road, Luton, and one of their number with a folding bicycle on his back]

Stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: July 17th, 1915.

There was a remarkable occurrence on Thursday night which at present is veiled in mystery.

Between 9 and 10 o'clock, Cpl Johnson and L-Cpl Bradley, of the 2/1st North Midland Cycling Corps Signalling Section billeted in Belmont Road, were out with some of the men on signalling practice with lamps across Luton, L-Cpl Bradley from a field adjoining the Round Green water tower, and Cpl Johnson was in the neighbourhood of the chalk pits on the other side of the town.

Whilst L-Cpl Bradley was engaged in signalling with his lamp a shot rang out, and a bullet whistled past his head. He and his companion (Signaller Wilson) at once searched round in the darkness. They did not make any discovery, however.

L-Cpl Bradley is of the opinion that the shot was fired at very close range, probably a few yards. In view of the mysterious occurrence it is significant to note that, while out signalling at the same spot, L-Cpl Bradley last Tuesday week saw a man making notes.

  • Sapper Arthur Frost, 1663, 1st East Anglian Field Coy RE, was reported killed in action on June 25th in casualty lists issued on July 17th. Pte Arthur Darlow, 13503, 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was reported to have died of wound on June 19th.

  • Dispatch riders were getting rather notorious in the district for evading the law, said Clerk Mr William Austin at Luton Police Court today, when four lieutenants were each fined 10 shillings for riding motorcycles without lights. One defendant told the court that it was up to higher authorities to see that machines were all right, and the riders ought not to be responsible.

  • Mr W. H. Pateman, of 42 Ivy Road, Luton, was gratified to receive a surprise parcel containing the belongings of his son, the late Pte Henry Pateman, of the 2nd Bedfords, who lost his life in the trenches on February 24th. Among the effects were the disc from round the dead soldier's neck, a ring which he won for shooting at Landguard, a Christmas card from Princess Mary, photographs of his father and mother, a pen-knife and several letters.

  • Local followers of cricket and football will be glad to hear of the improvement in the condition of Lance-Sgt Harold Squires, the popular full-back of the Amateur FC and of St Matthew's Cricket Club. He received a bullet through the shoulder during the famous charge of the 24th Londons on May 24th and is now in Edmonton Hospital. He hopes to be home [83 Havelock Road, Luton] very shortly.

  • Ernest J. Dodd, who was showing promising form for Luton Town FC at the end of season 1914, when he was hurt, has just been gazetted a Second-Lieut in the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery.

  • A few weeks ago Saddler B. Hawkes, a Lutonian serving at the Front, appealed for mouth-organs for the purpose of forming a band. To a large extent the needs have been met, but we believed there are still one or two instruments needed. In a letter he wrote: "It is the only kind of music we have. When there are a number together they sound very well. Now, having a band of mouth-organs and two or three tin whistles, we have been able to play the last Sunday or two at our own church services."

  • A women's munitions class has been started at Glen Lossie, High Street South, Dunstable, and at least once a day the workers who meet there are supervised in their interesting work by Miss Marjorie Baker, who we are informed was chiefly instrumental in arranging the class. The workers, who are paid for their labour, make string rings for use in the shells of war. Miss Baker, it may be added, is a Red Cross nurse at the VAD Hospital at Houghton regis, where her eldest sister is the commandant.

  • Charles Virgin, aged 15, of North Street, Luton, met with a nasty accident accident at the fuse company's works in Langley Street on Thursday evening. He was working a milling machine when the first finger of his left hand came in contact with the revolving saw at the back of the machine. the first joint was severed. The lad was take to Dr Bone, and afterwards to the Bute Hospital, where he is now an in-patient.

  • There will be a local Primitive Methodist change next July. The announcements show that the Rev A. Fawcett will leave Luton No 2 Circuit and will go to Loughborough. His place will be taken by the Rev C. Jennings, who at present holds a Yorkshire pastorate.