Digest of stories from The Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: November 10th, 1917.

The 9th of November has come and gone and we have a new Mayor of Luton. The Council Chamber at Luton Town Hall was thronged well before noon to witness the election of Councillor Charles Dillingham, of New Bedford Road, as the town's First Citizen.

Proposing Councillor Dillingham as Mayor  (picture above by W.H. Cox), Councillor Henry Impey said: This I do with very great pleasure, as it refers to a member of this Council who has put in 28 years hard and continuous service. His record in attendance to the detailed work of this Council is not surpassed by any one of its members, and his independent opinion and determined expression of his views at our public business sessions both go to show the keep interest he takes in the town's affairs.

"Councillor Dillingham is fearless in his expression. He upsets us sometimes by how what I may call unkind straightforwardness, but he means right and, although some may not always agree with his views or his persistent manner of expressing them, we cannot but appreciate the lively interest that he shows in all the matters coming before us for discussion and decision."

The nomination was seconded by Councillor Escott and carried unanimously.

After changing into the Mayoral robes, Councillor Dillingham said: "In elected me as Mayor of my native town I recognised that you have bestowed upon me the highest honour in your power, and I deeply appreciate this expression of confidence.

"We have, undoubtedly, a critical time before us but, relying on your unanimous support as I feel sure I can do, we shall together be ready for every emergency and act for the common good of the town and, may I say, the country."

The meeting included the presentation of an illuminated address to retiring Mayor, Alderman John Staddon, for the "courteous, efficient and zealous manner in which he has discharged the important and exacting duties of Mayor and Chief Magistrate" over the previous two years.

• Following the Mayoral election, resolutions from the Trades and Labour Council were put before the Council. It read: "That this meeting of the Luton Co-operators and Trades Unionists protests against the constitution of the Luton Food Control Committee, believing that a committee composed mainly of persons interested in the maintenance of profiteering in the people's food supplies is not fitted to consider the interests of the community, and demands that a majority of the Committee shall be those representing the interests of consumers." Further: "That this meeting demands prompt action regarding the food supply by commandeering the food and distributing it among the people on the basis of families, without regard to purchasing power, and that the element of profit on food be suspended during the war." Following discussion, it was agreed that the letters containing the resolutions should lie on the table.

• At the Luton Borough Court this morning, James Felty, licensee of the Wheatsheaf pub, Church Street, Luton, was fined 5 shillings for allowing his chimney to be on fire last Sunday morning. The smoke enveloped the people going to church.

• At yesterday's meeting of Luton Town Council, the Town Clerk (Mr William Smith) announced that Lieut W.A.J. Blomfield, of of the clerks in his office, had been awarded the Military Cross. He joined the Army a considerable time ago and had risen from the ranks. The Council sent its congratulations to Lieut Blomfield.

• The death in action is announced of Pte Reginald Alfred Crick (Middlesex Regiment), of 48 Brunswick Street, Luton. He was attached to the Headquarters Staff as a runner amf was killed instantaneously on October 10th. He leaves a widow and two children.

• L-Cpl John Brown (Leicestershire Regiment), the husband of Mrs Brown, of 14 Park Road West [now Strathmore Avenue] was severely wounded on October 9th and died in hospital in France on October 22nd. He was aged 34.

• At an impressive memorial service at Christ Church on Sunday the names of those from the parish who had made the supreme sacrifice were read at both morning and evening services, and numbered 85.

• The funeral took place on Thursday at the General Cemetery of William Threader, aged 43 years, who for the past 23 years had been employed as a drayman at the Great Northern Station, Luton, and who for many years had served Bute Street, George Street, Chapel Street and Castle Street districts. Upwards of 50 of his railwaymen comrades joined in the funeral procession from 210 Wellington Street, to the General Cemetery, including Stationmaster Mr Few. The funeral service was conducted by thee Rev W. Healey, of Mount Tabor Church.

• In a scrappy game in front of a small crowd on a cheerless, inclement afternoon, a much depleted Luton Town beat the 25th Training Reserve Battalion 3-2. Lieut Fox and Jones put Town ahead before the visitors equalised by half time. Bob Hawkes scored in the second half to complete the scoring. Luton have no match scheduled for next Saturday.