Digest of stories from The Luton News: Thursday, April 18th, 1918.

Writing from France to his former employer (Mr A. Gale, of High Town Road), Pioneer A. H. Clifton, of the Royal Engineers, gives an interesting glimpse of the recent big battle. He says:

"I am still alive and well, although I have had a very rough time. We have been up Cambrai way, so you can guess what sort of a time we have had.

"When the Germans attacked we were at Metz and had to go to the famous slag heap at Hermies, and I can assure you our artillery was fine. They put up a terrible barrage, and Fritz must have lost close on a hundred thousand men, as they were mown down in thousands.

"Of course we do not know why we retreated so far, but we are very pleased to get back to a civilised part again, as we have not seen a civilian since November.

"The Germans came over in thousands. It was a sight to see them coming - such enormous masses. we had a lively scrap with them. I had to use my rifle for about four hours, but we drove them off and enabled several battalions to get away without being cut off. The retreat was carried out in a very orderly manner - no panic and no crowding.

"The only thing we were short of was food, and of course we could not get that up all the time, and we were a bit hungry several times. But, thank goodness, we got through safely and our casualties were very slight, considering the magnitude of the operations."

• On Tuesday night, when the streets were fairly busy, there was a loud siren blast. Immediately those not in the immediate vicinity of the siren accepted it as an air raid warning, and there was a dash home. In clubs and picture palaces there was a prompt move, but when the streets were reached it was discovered to be a particularly loud hooter on a motor-car.

• Very curious are some of the fires to which the Fire Brigade are called, and their turning out to one of an unusual nature shortly before 10.30 on Tuesday night attracted some attention in the Dunstable Road district. On arrival it was found that as a tramcar was passing under the Great Northern railway bridge an insulator fused, setting fir to woodwork underneath the bridge. The driver had disconnected the trolley-arm from the wire, and by the time the brigade were on the scene the fire had burnt itself out.

• About 8 am on Tuesday a fire occurred on the premises of Mr Hill, confectioner, Manchester Street. The electric circuit on the ground floor set fire to a quantity of paper bags. the smoke from the fire caused a good deal of damage to foodstuffs.

• The Government's new regulations on the consumption of gas have raised a number of queries by householders and others as to their own position. If reference is made to the Gas Co's notice (above) it is obvious the reduction required of individuals can in most cases be secured by the simple process of exercising care in various directions. There are many form of economy in the use of gas which the householder can practice, and to assist in this direction the Gas Co have drafted a few suggestions for the use of consumers in heating, lighting and cooking.

• With characteristic thoroughness, the Governors of the Luton Modern School are proceeding with the formation of the School Cadet Corps. A committee has been appointed, but to secure the interest of the parents of the boys, an invitation has been extended to them to attend a meeting on Monday evening next, at 7 pm. The proposed scheme will then be explained, and the opinions of the parents sought.

• At the quarterly meeting of the Committee of Management of the Bute Hospital held on Monday evening, the Secretary (Alderman H. O. Williams) read a letter from Dr J. W. Bone recommending the purchase of a certain X-ray apparatus. The cost would be £337 5s, with an addition of a particular screen and tube, total cost approaching £400. The purchase, which it was stated would bring the hospital up to date in every way, was proposed by the Chairman (Mr W. H. Phillips) and seconded by Mr T. G. Hobbs.

• Mr and Mrs F. King, of 127 Park Street, Luton, have received news of the death in action of their second son, Sapper Frank Percy King (E.A.R.E.). The ill news comes in a letter which another Park Street soldier sent to his parents.

• Pte Walter Henry Halsey, of the Suffolks, who wife lives in Ivy Road, Luton, had made the great sacrifice in keeping the enemy at bay. Last Thursday his wife received a letter from the regimental chaplain announcing his death, and on Tuesday the War Office intimation.

• Sgt G. Hamilton, a friend of the late Pte John Poole, had written to Mr and Mrs Poole, of 100 Albert Road, informing them of their son's death, and stating that he died gallantly at his post.

• Pte Harold Spalding (Royal Welsh Fusiliers), of Kimpton, has been home on hospital leave. He was wounded in the foot at the end of last July while fighting on the Western Front, and since then has been in hospital at Southampton and Netley.

• Pte William Gatward (Beds Regiment), of Kimpton, writes from hospital at Cairo that he was wounded by an enemy aircraft. Other Kimpton men, Pte Douglas Williamson and Pte Charles Groom (Beds Regiment) were wounded at the commencement of the German offensive but both report satisfactory progress, and L-Cpl D. Marlow (Gloster Regiment) is reported wounded and in hospital at France.

• The death has taken place at the Luton Infirmary of Mr James Sell, an Indian mutiny veteran, aged 81. The deceased, who belong to Breachwood Green, preserved a smart and soldierly bearing to the last. He had lost one of his eyes, and being tall with a flowing white bear he looked every inch an Army veteran.

• Deep regret was caused in the town by the news of the death of Mr William Panter, the Park Street butcher, which took place with great suddenness on Tuesday night. He had really been unwell for a year owing to heart trouble. Mr Panter, who was 61 years of age, was one of the best-known tradesmen in Luton. He came of an old Luton family and commenced as a butcher in Collingdon Street. Later he had premises in Castle Street, and went to Park Street about 20 years ago. His widow, two sons and five daughters are bereaved. The funeral will take place at the General Cemetery on Saturday afternoon.

• William Panter's shop staff, pre-World War One.