The reopening of the Group System today [January 10th, 1916] gives another chance to the young men who failed to come up under Lord Derby's scheme to show that it was not for want of patriotism or courage that they did not answer the country's call. Those who did not take advantage of it may prepared for the alternative of compulsory military service, imposed by a new Bill now passing through Parliament, under which they will be deemed to have enlisted for the duration of the war four weeks after the Bill becomes law.

Stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: January 8th, 1916.

Last night a meeting of the committee which has the management of the Wardown V.A.D. Hospital held a meeting for the purpose of completing the arrangements for the reception of wounded soldiers from Aylesbury.

From Suvla Bay the 1/5th Bedfordshires - our own Territorial Regiment - were transferred to another sphere of operations. We are not in a position to say exactly where they are [*], whether on Africa's sunny shores or Serbia's icy mountains, but of this we are satisfied from letters to hand that, in spite of all the fighting and the hardships they have experienced, they were "merry and bright" on Christmas Day, and in the peaceful surroundings of a rest camp enjoyed their Christmas fare to the full.

The Local Voluntary Aid Detachment of the Red Cross Society required a larder at Wardown House, plus repairs to broken windows and other minor renovations executed, a Parks Committee report to Luton Town Council revealed. A repeated application for use of rooms at Wardown occupied by the caretaker was also made.

Stories from the Luton News: Thursday, January 6th, 1916.

Hewlett & Blondeau aeroplane factory in 1918

Among the countless stories of Bedfordshire heroism associated with the war, one that should thrill with pride the heart of every man, woman and child is that of the Luton nurse who has returned home after being compelled to face the trying ordeals of retreat across the mountains from her nobly borne work among the distressed and needy population of Serbia.

It is a thrilling story, and one worthy to be associated with the name of that immortal Bedfordshire worthy, John Bunyan, from whom the family of Miss Bessie Bunyan claims to be descended.

The following letters passed between the Federation and Town Clerk William Smith after the Discharged Sailors and Soldiers were asked to take part in the Peace Procession.

July 5th, Federation to the Town Clerk:

Interpretation of local bye-laws proved a significant touchpaper to the Peace Day riots in Luton on July 19th, 1919.

The terrible experiences of our soldiers in a November winter storm in Gallipoli, when men were drowned in a monsoon and others frozen to death in the terrible frost which followed, were recently described by Mr G. Ward Price, one of the official newspaper correspondents at the Front. His account of the horrors which followed on the storm is fully corroborated in a graphic letter which has just come to hand from Pte A. Turvey (pictured), 7025, 3rd Royal Fusiliers, whose home is at 55 Salisbury Road, Luton.

Lieut Harold Wernher, of Luton Hoo, is one of 2,300 officers and men recommended by Sir John French for gallant and distinguished conduct in the Field during the autumn.

Stories from The Luton News: Thursday, December 30th, 1915.

The furious gale which visited Luton during the Christmas holiday did a considerable amount of damage. It swept over the town with great violence and, although there were many narrow escapes, it is gratifying to note that there seems to have been no personal injury.

Visits of inspection with respect to the sanitary arrangements of the military camps at Houghton Regis and at Biscot were reported upon by the Inspector of Nuisances to the Luton Rural District Council at a meeting on Thursday [December 23rd, 1915]. The Inspector stated that at Houghton Regis the conditions were, on the whole, satisfactory, but at the military huts at Biscot the conditions were very unsatisfactory.

Stories from the Luton News: Thursday, December 23rd, 1915.

In the family life of Luton has this week occurred an incident which is heart-rending in its tragedy and pathos. Among those who answered the call to arms in Luton was Pte Hastings, of 1 Wood Street, Luton, and he left behind him six children when he went to fight in the Balkans. The family roll call was increased to seven less than a fortnight ago, and it is extremely doubtful if Pte Hastings has yet received the news.

Stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: December 18th, 1915.

A proclamation dated December 20th has been posted throughout London this morning calling up Groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 of recruits under Lord Derby's scheme. The proclamation provides for men in these groups to be called up on January 20th next.

Advert from December 1915

Stories from the Luton News: Thursday, December 16th, 1915.