A Luton lad [unnamed] serving with the 1/5th Beds (Territorial) who recently left St Albans for service abroad writes:

What a difference time does make! Twelve months ago today (August Bank Holiday) I was enjoying my annual holidays by the seaside at Margate. Two days later war was declared between us and Germany. I then had a suspicion in my head that I should enlist and, lo and behold, today, exactly one year later, I am spending my summer holiday on a trip to foreign soil, but not on holiday intent.

We commenced 'on active service' on Monday, July 26th, when half the battalion entrained for ----- (blow the censor!). We had a fine send-off from St Albans, several hundred people giving us a hearty cheer as we steamed out of the station - at 1.30am. It is a little token that shows in what estimation the St Albans people held the 1/5th Bedfords.

At ------ we had half an hour's stop and the Mayoress of ------ and Committee provided us with a bag containing oranges, cakes, ham sandwiches, rolls and cigarettes, with a postcard wishing us the best of luck. We had as much team to drink as we wanted, and they treated us as if we were their own county regiment instead of being strangers to them. As far as that word goes nowadays, there seems to be an inclination to look upon everybody in these present circumstances as friends.

The sergeants despatched a telegram to the Mayoress thanking her and her committee for her kindness etc, and many of the men have written expressing their personal thanks.

We have had an uneventful journey up to the present, and are having a very easy time. As for the grub, well all I can say is that we have never been fed so well in the 1/5th. One day, in fact, we actually had rabbit and potatoes and then pudding afterwards.

[Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph, August 14th, 1915]