Diary: War savings campaign launched

 

Stories from The Luton News: Thursday, July 8th, 1915

Last night the preliminary steps were taken at Luton towards the organising of a big campaign throughout South Bedfordshire to bring home to the people the need for economy in daily life, and the advisability of investing their savings in the War Loan.

Every centre of population in the constituency is to be touched. There are to be big meetings, probably addressed by Members of Parliament, in Luton, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard, and in the villages there are to be small meetings at which the fullest information will be given as to the manner in which savings may be put into the War Loan, the benefit to be derived by tyhose who invest in this way, and all the incidental information which people not accustomed to investing their money or saving it in any way except through the Post Office Savings Bank may require.

No time is to be lost, for the campaign is to be carried through in the last two weeks of this month.

  • L-Cpl B. J. Douglas, 2nd Essex Regiment, whose home is at 13 Back Street, Luton, and who was for 15 years in the employ of hat box makers Messrs Coutts and Co., Old Bedford Road, is now in the Holly House Military Hospital, Shrewsbury, recovering from gas poisoning. In a letter dated July 5th he wrote: "I have been lying in this bed over two months in such pain and agony that I never thought I should recover again. I am very pleased to say since I have started open-air treatment I have found it to be of great success towards recovery. This week some time I am giving up my bed to start getting about on my legs. My doctor, who has done his utmost for me, tells me that I am free from all danger now and will be in Luton in less than two months."

  • Pte W. Panter, 14356, 2nd Beds Regt, who was employed prior to the war in the brass foundry of Messrs George Kent Ltd., has received the following message from Major-General H. P. Gough, Commanding Seventh Division: "You CO and Brigade Commander have informed me that you have distinguished yourself by conspicuous behaviour in the field on the 15th June, 1915. I have read their reports and, although promotions and decorations cannot be given in every case, I should like you to know that your gallant action is recognised, and how greatly it is appreciated." Pte Panter is a well-known member of the Luton United Harriers, and his home is in Leagrave.

  • Congratulations will be extended to the Rev J. C. Trevelyan, Vicar of St Saviour's, Luton, upon the distinction achieved by his only son, whose name appeared among that of 37 officers published this week as having been awarded the Military Cross. The conspicuous gallantry and ability which won this recognition were displayed on May 23th, when Lieut Trevelyan (pictured right), who is in the 15th Londons (Territorials) was in charge of a trench to the east of Ypres, succeeding in maintaining the safety of the line at a very critical time. Before the war, Lieut Trevelyan's services seemed destined for the church.

  • Many people in Luton will deplore the loss of a personal friend in the death of Pte George Cox, 5233, 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment, who was killed in action at Ypres on June 22nd. He was employed at the Luton Gas Works and resided at 68 Beech Road.

  • The 24th London are having a good time at present, judging by two letters received yesterday by Mr. G. F. Worboys, of 145 High Town Road, Luton. In thanking him for cigars, L-Cpl P, Lovell writes: "I received the cigars quite safely and am naturally doing the usual swanking with them. We have had two concerts and generally have been doing ourselves very well during our stay here, but I understand we shall be in the firing line again in a day or two."

  • The following have enlisted in the regular forces at the Luton Corn Exchange since last Wednesday: J. Coles, H. Allen, H. Toyer, F. A. Chapman, W. Wilkins., W. Carter, F. Garner, H. Johnson, T. Allen.

  • Conductresses on Glasgow trams are to swap caps that are ill-fitting for their hair to be worn underneath for green straw hats with a medium brim to match their uniforms. The new headgear will be on show as soon as the firm entrusted with the order can oblige, reported the Glasgow Evening Times.

  • A three-year-old boy from Albert Road had a narrow escape from death when he ran out from behind the monument [Ames Memorial?] on Market Hill in front of a Vauxhall car. The car knocked him down but then passed right over him without the wheels touching him. The child was treated for a nasty gash at the Bute Hospital, to where he was taken by the car driver, who lived in Cambridge Street.

  • A red Cross ambulance driver who swerved to avoid a horse that had taken fright in Castle Street pulled down part of a shop sun blind in avoiding a collision.

  • Primitive Methodists of High Town reopened their renovated lecture hall and resumed activities there that had been largely curtailed for nearly 12 months due to the building being used as a barracks for billeting a large number of troops and afterwards the YMCA until towards the end of February. The front of the building had also been cleaned , with leaded windows replacing the old ones.

  • A man found sleeping in a stable in Hitchin Road was charged at Luton Borough Court on Monday with wandering without visible means of subsistence. He said he had come from Flamstead but had been in Luton for about 30 years. He was given one day's imprisonment on promising to leave the town on his release.

  • Residents in Luton scurried to their homes on Sunday evening on the rumblings of thunder being heard. The sky went black and threatening and it was generally expected a heavy downpour would follow, but the borough escaped the violence of the storm which could be seen raging in the distance. At Ampthill, the thunderstorm was accompanied by hailstones, many of which were two to three inches in size.

  • Six of nine free places at Dunstable Grammar School were gained by pupils of Dunstable Road School, Luton, following examinations. The pupils were J. Mahoney (top with 223 marks), A. M. Sim (216), D. J. Dudley (202), A. O. Squires (194), J. L. Sim (191) and G. Johnstone (187).

  • The Fire Brigade was called on Monday afternoon by Mr Wright to 13 Villa Road, occupied by F. Kilby, straw hat manufacturer. Children playing with matches set fire to a small store shed at the bottom of the yard. The contents, including a quantity of straw plait, were destroyed.