• Wardown House in 1921.

Thanks to the generosity of friends at the V.A.D. Hospital at Wardown, the wounded soldiers had a happy time on Christmas Day.

At 7.30 am, Capt Thorpe, Chaplain to the Forces, officiated at a Communion service in which 25 men and five of the nursing staff participated. After breakfast, Father Christmas with three attendants (all men at the hospital) distributed Christmas presents. There were 59 patients and each received a bag containing either a pair of gloves or muffler, chocolates, cigarettes, matches etc.

A real Christmas dinner, turkey and plum pudding, was served at 12 o'clock, 45 of the patients being able to dine en famille. Dr Lloyd and Mr J. W. Green carved. Speeches were made and toasts honoured, and one of the patients proposed a vote of thanks to the medical officers and staff for all they had done for them, to which Mrs Green (Commandant) and Mr F. W. Plummer (Chairman) replied.

In the afternoon, a concert was given by nurses and patients, and in the evening they had a very successful whist drive.

Interesting little presentations took place also when te nurses and members of the kitchen staff each received a box of chocolates from the patients. It was a surprise to all of them, for none guessed the meaning of the secret committee meetings in the butler's pantry.

The hospital was prettily decorated, and all the soldiers thoroughly enjoyed their Christmas Day, to which the nurses and outsiders contributed such a great deal, not only in the form of presents but Christmas fare.

Christmas celebrations were also held for patients at the Bute Hospital, the Union House Infirmary and Children's Sick and Convalescent Home in London Road, at Beech Hill Children's Homes and at the Workhouse.

At Biscot Camp, where the batteries and dining rooms were beautifully decorated with flags and evergreens,t there was an impressive bill of fare for the soldiers. In the afternoon the men entertained themselves in the dining halls, and in the evening a first-class concert party from the Three Arts Club in London gave the soldiers a jolly evening.

[The Luton News: December 28th, 1916]