Beginnings

Wardown Park was once rough meadow and scrub. The 1844 Tithe Map shows sixteen plots of land. A public footpath originally crossed diagonally, connecting High Town with Biscot and Limbury. The River Lea flowed through in two streams.

There were four large plots of land including Bramingham Shott, Rye Mead and Pond Piece.  The area around the present cricket ground was called Stocking Bridge Field. Bramingham Shott surrounded Bramingham Villa. Rye Mead was at the foot of Rye Hill and included the land leading up to what is now Cromwell Hill. Much of the ground around the River Lea was very boggy.

Richard How owned Bramingham Shott and the farmhouse, called Bramingham Villa.  Bramingham Villa had a kitchen, cellar, entrance hall, drawing, dining and breakfast rooms.  Upstairs there were six bedrooms and a water closet.  It had ‘every requisite for a respectable family’ and offered ‘an opportunity for occupation or investment that rarely occurs in the neighbourhood’.  Wardown Park Museum now stands upon the site of the original farmhouse.

The Scargills

On 2nd July 1868 the building was purchased by Frank Chapman Scargill, a Luton solicitor with a practice in King Street. Scargill demolished the farmhouse and built the present house in two stages. He called this house Bramingham Shott and it was completed by 1877. It was built at an estimated cost of £10,000 and the distinctive locally produced bricks known as ‘luton Greys’ were used in its construction. Scargill also built the outbuildings and lodge, and laid out a cricket ground and a park around his home.’

Today you can still see some of the original outbuildings, the lodges, the gardens and cricket ground. The House is now a grade 2 listed building. It was completed in 1877 as the carving over the archway to the stables records.

An inventory drawn up in 1897 reveals that Wardown contained sixteen bedrooms (including those for servants), a Billiard Room, Smoking Room, Drawing Room, Dining Room, two kitchens, a dairy, laundry, cellars which included one for beer, an Apple Room, Boot Room, Game Larder, School Room, Conservatory, Boudoir, four dressing rooms, four WCs, three bathrooms, plus a number of rooms for the servants and various other closets and cupboards.

F.C. Scargill left Luton in 1894 and let the property to B.J. H. Forder, the owner of a brick-making firm which had recently begun work in Bedfordshire. It was Forder who changed the name of Bramingham Shott to Wardown, which was the name of his previous home at Buriton in Hampshire. After Forder the house was let to one of his business partners, Halley Stewart, later to be the first chairman of the London Brick Company.

The Council

The House was put up for sale with the rest of the estate in June 1903 and was bought on behalf of the Council by two local businessmen, Asher Hucklesby and Edwin Oakley. Hucklesby and Oakley, who lived respectively at the Leaside and the Mount in New Bedford Road, were also influential Councillors and sold the estate to the Council (for the same price as they had bought it) in 1904.

On 8th July 1905 Wardown Park was opened to the public. Asher Hucklesby, as Mayor of Luton formally opened the park and in his speech looked forward to a time when the house would be able to hold a museum which would be ‘interesting as well as of an educational character’.

Whilst the park immediately became popular, the house posed more of a problem for the Council who could not find a permaent use for it. With neglect decay set in and extensive dry rot was reported in 1909. During World war One it was used as a military hospital and afterwards its rooms were rented out to Council employees. The ground floor also housed a tea room.

Architect's plan

In 1875, The British Architect magazine reproduced architect T. C. Sorby's drawing [above] of Bramingham Shott. A related article in the same edition said:

“The mansion is situate a short distance from Luton and is being erected by F. C. Scargill Esq on the site of an old house, the kitchens and offices being recent erections are retained.

“The walls will be faced with the strawberry-coloured brick peculiar to Luton ['Luton Greys'] with dressings to windows of red Mansfield stone. The carriage portico, cornices and chimney caps ae ion moulded red brick from Mr Gunton's works, Cossey, near Norwich. The roofs will be covered with brindled tiles from Coalbrookdale, with ridges and knobs from Mr Cooper's works at Maidenhead.

“The whole of the ground floor will be laid with concrete, and the first floor partially with Homan's iron joists and concrete and partially with Dennett's arching on wrought pitch pine open framed joisting. All the floors will be finished with wood blocks – deal, pitch pine, oak and walnut – in patterns differing in the various rooms.

“The internal joinery of doors, dados and ceilings will be pitch pine framing, with Vancouver panels, and oak and pitch pine in the staircase.

“On the first floor there are ten bedrooms, four dressing rooms, three bathrooms, three water closets, linen and housemaids' closets etc, and rooms for servants and lumber in the attic. Every room in the house is provided with special means of ventilation, irrespective of doors and windows.”

The transfer of the hospital within Wardown Mansion from the divisional military authorities to the local Voluntary Aid Detachments of the British Red Cross took place on Monday, November 8th, 1915.

It was now to be used for the reception of wounded troops who could not be accommodated in military hospitals elsewhere. Initially they were to be drafted there from Aylesbury. The hospital had to provide 50 beds for wounded soldiers, with an additional 12 beds to be reserved for soldiers stationed in and around the town.

Apart from voluntary contributions from outside, the Red Cross would received three shillings per day from the military authorities for each soldier treated to cover all medical attendance, nurses, food etc. Infectious cases occurring at Wardown would be transferred to Spittlesea.

The two V.A.D. detachments - 12 and 14 - had received a notification that their services would be called upon for day and night duties by the nursing staff. The voluntary staff would be supplemented by a matron-in-charge and two highly trained nurses from London. Sister Cooper was in charge.

Medical and surgical arrangements were to be in the hands of Dr Seymour Lloyd (the medical officer to the detachment), Dr J. W. Bone, Dr C. Harmar, Dr W. Levinson and Dr H. Verdon.

On the ground floor, the dining room, library, billiard and drawing rooms at Wardown had been converted into spacious hospital wards, while upstairs rooms had been set aside as an officers' ward, nurses quarters and the quartermaster's stores. There were few patients at the time of the transfer, but preparations were going ahead for the reception of about 70 wounded men.

Wardown House had been used as a military hospital since October 1914. By the following September, V.A.D. Commandant Mrs Mary Anne Green (wife of Luton brewer Mr John William Green, of The Larches, New Bedford Road, Luton) had received a letter from Col Astley Clarke, Assistant Director Medical Service, 2/1st North Midland Division, suggesting that, with the moving of the Division from Luton, Wardown House should be maintained as a V.A.D. hospital provided rent-free by the Town Council but with the Red Cross paying for fuel, lighting and other services. The Council agreed.

Between November 1915 and its eventual closure as a V.A.D. hospital on May 20th, 1919, more than 3,500 patients passed through Wardown House.

Mrs Green continued as Commandant for the whole period. She had inaugurated the Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D. 12) in Luton in 1911 and was assisted by her niece, Mrs Nora Kathleen Durler (wife of straw plait merchant Robert), Commandant of V.A.D. 14.

At the time of the transfer, the list of ladies involved was published. Quartermasters were Ethel Mary Hartop and Miss Elsie Margaret Green, daughter of the brewer.

Sisters:- Miss Edna Cochrane, Miss Florence Hobbs, Miss Kathleen Shannon, Miss Pollie Wood

Nurses:-  Miss Muriel Austin, Miss Mable Barnes, Miss Sarah Bartlett, Miss Margaret Beechener, Mrs Frances Brown, Miss Mildred Brown, Mrs Gilbert Brown, Miss Ivy Brown, Mrs Murry Barford, Mrs Alice Cann, Mrs Estelle Chalkley, Miss Gertrude Chandler, Miss Florence Cook, Miss Eila Cumberland, Miss Gladys Cumberland, Miss Olive Cumberland, Mrs Estelle Chalkley, Mrs Aileen Davis, Miss Beatrice Deacon, Mrs Emma Ebbs, Miss Edith Eustace, Miss Louisa Escott, Miss Florrie Fyson, Miss Winifred Green, Miss Margaret Greatorex, Miss May Gilder, Miss Dorothy Gates, Mrs Margaret Gibbs, Miss Maggie Godfrey,  Miss Alice Howard, Miss Stella How, Miss Phyllis Inwards, Mrs Mabel Jackson, Miss Gladys Lye, Mrs Constance Lloyd, Miss Hilda Mayes, Miss Gladys Mitchell, Miss Emmie Payne, Miss Louise Payne, Miss Marjory Plummer, Miss E. Rohner, Miss Gertrude Sheriff, Miss Hilarie Shoosmith, Miss Madge Shoosmith, Miss Elsie Smith, Miss Hilda Sworder, Miss Dorris Tomson, Miss Margaret Tomson, Miss Elsie Trevelyan, Miss Gladys Williams and Miss F. Waller. Miss Agnes Worsley, Miss Mary Wynne

Dispenser (Pharmacist):- Mr George Shuff

Cooks: Miss Anna Batchelder, Mrs Norach Phyllis Brown, Mrs Mary Campion, MIss Elizabeth Crabb, Miss Janet Coupees, Mrs Milner Gray, Mrs Edgar Knowles, Miss D. Knowles, Mrs Mabel Rose, Mrs Ethel Schofield, Mrs Constance Sanderson, Miss Annie Smith, Miss Edith Smith, Miss Winifred Tearle, Miss Amy Tydeman, Miss Ruth Trevelyan, Miss Beatrice Webb, Miss Eleanor Weller, Miss Constance Wilkinson, and Miss Dorothy Williams.

Housemaids:- Miss Beatrice Gertrude Allen, Mrs Gweneth Baker, Miss Florence Barford, Miss Nora Christine Booth, Miss Edna Brown, Miss Gwendolyne Butcher, Miss Edith Cain, Miss Dorothy Coles, Miss Olive Coles, Mrs Maude Cooke, Miss Ida Ordish, Miss Winifred Rudd, Mrs Marion Woodcock

Orderlies:- Mr Albert Beckwith, Mr Alfred Bowles, Mr William Burgess, Mr Herbert Chalice, Mr Alfred Clarke, Mr Arthur Cook, Mr Joseph Shakleton, Mr Archie Smith, Mr Arthur Thorne, Mr Henry Thorne, Mr A Townrow, Mr William Weatherhead,

Three of the nursing staff were in France "on active service". Miss Hilda Sworder had been working abroad since March 18th, Miss Margaret Greatorex was with the headquarters staff, and Miss F. Waller had recently left England to take up duties on the staff of one of the Red Cross stations "somewhere in France".

When it first opened as a hospital, the North Midland Division were in occupation of Wardown Mansion. The 2/2nd North Midland Field Ambulance were the last unit to leave.

Wardown's position and lofty rooms were considered ideal for a hospital but there were problems with ventilation, sanitation and water supply. Extensive improvements were carried out by the military authorities during the occupancy, and by the time of its transfer to the Red Cross the building was considered to be of a very high standard for cleanliness, ventilation, sanitation and other details.

[Bedfordshire Advertiser: Friday, November 12th, 1915; Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: November 13th, 1915; Luton Reporter: Monday, December 6th, 1915]

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.

The Council endorsed the committee's action in asking the Borough Engineer to carry out the repairs, and also authorised the committee chairman and Borough Engineer to provide a larder at a cost not exceeding £10. But it was decided that it was not practical to allow used of the caretaker's rooms.

Alderman Williams read a letter from the Secretary of the Hospital Committee expressing thanks for the agreeing to provide the larder, but regretted that the Council could not let the committee have use of the whole of the house.

The letter said that the military authorities had pressed the hospital committee for full accommodation, as if it was to be worked efficiently the whole of the hospital would be needed for the nurses to sleep on the premises. It might mean inconvenience to the caretaker, but that should not stand in the way of the efficient working of the hospital, which was for the benefit of the nation.

A letter from the Secretary of the VAD Committee also asked for some re-arrangement of the heating apparatus at Wardown Hospital, together with the provision of hot water pipes. The estimated cost was £10 to get upper areas supplied from the kitchen range and lower areas from a furnace in the basement. The Council agreed to meet half the cost.

In the correspondence column, VAD Commandants Mrs Mary A. Green and Mrs Nora K. Durler appealed for donations in cash and kind from the public.

Reminding readers that Wardown was now a Red Cross hospital entirely in the charge of the local VAD Detachments, they wrote: "We have at present 21 patients in the wards, but are expecting shortly a consignment of wounded soldiers up to a total of 50 or more. The available funds being small, we are largely dependent on voluntary help from the neighbourhood and we should like to take this opportunity of earnestly appealing for assistance. We shall be glad of any contributions in money, flowers, fruit, vegetables, groceries or household linen and cloths, brooms, brushes, fenders and coal scuttles etc, in fact anything that is useful in the average home.

"Besides these we are very badly and urgently needing the following medical appliances - a wheeled trolley with stretcher for transporting sick and wounded from the entrance doors to their beds; one or more wheeled (self-propelling) chairs; an irrigator with stand; a set of three enamel wash bowls on stand for operating room; and one dressing waggon for wards."

[The Luton News: Thursday, January 6th, 1916]

The Hospital provided accommodation for 65 patients. On the ground floor were situated three large, well-lighted wards, and a 20 bed wooden annexe, built by the Military when they moved in. The annex was on the east side of the house, accesible via what is now the fire exit in the indoor cafe.

On the ground floor was an excellent Operating Theatre replete with up-to-date fittings, including folding operating table, high pressure steam sterilizer for dressings, and wash-basins with elbow swing taps (We believe this operating theatre is now the kitchen in the museum.); a Pack Store for the bestowal of the patients’ belongings and kits; kitchens, pantries, and other offices, and a large Recreation Room (probably the Billiards room in the museum). 

On the first floor were three smaller wards, commanding pleasant outlooks over the park; an isolation ward for two beds; bathrooms for staff and patients; rooms for the matron and nurses; and offices for the Commandants and Secretary. A few rooms were available on the top floor, but were not used on account of their inaccessibility.

Wounded soldiers were sent to Wardown from the 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge, to which it was affiliated, and sick were admitted from the nearby Biscot Camp Artillery Training School and other units in the town.

Cases requiring major operations were sent to either the Bute Hospital in Luton centre, near the present day post office, or the 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge, according to their nature and urgency. X Ray examinations were made at the Bute Hospital.

The Recreation Room on the ground floor was furnished with comfortable chairs, writing and card tables, indoor games, a small library, and an excellent bagatelle table. A second bagatelle table was placed on the first floor landing. In the Entrance Hall and in each ward hung a table of rules and regulations, to which patients were expected to conform during their stay in hospital.

At the start of this project, we knew the names of only a few staff who worked at Wardown V.A.D. hospital, from the proceedings of minutes and names found in photograph albums. But records of staff who served in the V.A.D. were digitised and released by the British Red Cross in 2015, and this has made it easy to reveal and remember the names of those who served at Wardown V.A.D. Hospital during WW1.

The Staff included

• 2 Trained nurses,— one taking day, and one night duty.—the remaining help being voluntary.
• 12 V.A.D. nurses on duty daily.
• 5 cooks
• 3 General Service members, all of whom give their services voluntarily.
• The V.A.D. cooks and general service members were considered to be indefatigable; and their services were certainly appreciated to the full by the patients.
• 2 Quartermasters who looked after the 'Pack Store' .
  • They collected the kit and effects of every patient on admission, and ticketed and stored them until the patients were discharged.
• 'Rags' the dog.

Known staff

Full names and details of nurses and other staff who served at Wardown, can be found by searching the excellent British red Cross site, that is dedicated to recognising the service of the V.A.D. volunteers in WW1. 

House Committee.

• Mr. F. W. Plummer (Chairman)
• Mrs. Mary. A. Green, (Commandant)
• Mrs. Nora K. Durler (Commandant)
• Mr. F. E. Shoosmith
• Dr. Francis Seymour Lloyd
• Mr. S. Hubbard

Finance Committee

• Mr. R. E. Tomson (Hon. Treasurer)
• Mr. B. T. Crew (Hon. Auditor)
• Mr. K. Brown

Ambulance Committee

• Mr. V. Allen (Chairman)
• Mr. H. E. Deacon
• Mr. Arthur Strange (Hon. Sec.)

Patients in 1915

• Sapper White
  
• Daglish
• Edmonds
• Fowler
• Fillman
• Cutter
• Willy
• Trossel
• Berry
• George W.F. Berry
• Grant
• Cauldwell
• King
• Sheehan
• Wood
• Sergeant Newman
• Spriggs
• Pte. Hawkins Wilts Regt
• H.W. Saunders 22nd Manchesters
• L.A. Smith
  
• London
• Paton
• Warner
• Wright
• Mahone
• Mole
• Cyril C. Mortimer
• Tucker
• Lovell
• Friday
• Bannerman

Patients in 1916

• Pearce
• Miller
• Perry
• Hammond
• Read
• O'Connor
• Thompson
• Barrick
• Stacey
• Gentry
• T.L. Eve
• George
• Canrouse
• Tucker
• Matts
• Warwick
• Gazey
• Anderson
• Stanton
• Maynard
• Proudfoot
• Knight

Patients in 1917

• Sergeant William Whittaker
• Private George Steele

Whilst soldiers were recuperating in the hospital, they would recieve a regular program of entertainments and activites to lift spirits and morale. Local newspaper archives reveal that these activities were organised by a combination of the local community, and the nearby Royal Field Artillery (R.F.A.) base at Biscot.

In 1917 no effort was spared to make the patients as happy and comfortable as possible during their stay. Residents and the management and employees of local firms, vied with each other in offering hospitality, in the form of entertainments and teas, while whist drives and other competitions and concerts were repeatedly held in the hospital. In these functions many talented artists and amateurs took part to the great enjoyment of their audiences, The management of the Palace and Grand Theatres not only placed seats at the disposal of the patients week by week, but entertained them lavishly with refreshments and ciugarettes after the performances.

In Christmas 1916, the wards were tastefully decorated by the nurses and patients, and the Christmas dinner — at which 15 patients sat down to a splendid spread, was voted a huge success. When dessert arrived, that great military tradition of 'speeches,' began, in which the speakers excelled themselves, and gave rise to great merriment. The rest of the day was spent in various amusements and entertainments.

The same approach to wounded service personnel happens today with comedians, musicians and other entertainers regularily visiting hospitals and the injure to raise awareness, money and support for those who suffer in service.

This section contains a number of contemporary accounts of such entertainments, with the annual Regimental Sports Day being a big event that drew spectators from across the town and raised much needed money for the support of the hospital. Sports days are still held across all three services (Navy, Army, Air Force) today, with Wednesday afternoons traditionally given up for sports training. Sports is seen as a useful indicator of fitness, a way of building teamwork and discipline, and a way to let off steam in a high pressure job.

V.A.D. Hospitals relied on local and charitable support to operate. The people of Luton seemed only to keen to help raise money for Wardown V.A.D. Hospital, and there are ample reports of kindness and donations to the hospital and its patients.

The excellent equipment of the Operating Theatre, wards, and Recreation Room, were very largely the outcome of donations in kind or money from numerous well-wishers. Including, but not limited to Lady Wernher for the operating table and steam steriliser, to Mr. Fred Beecroft for the instrument cabinet and stand; Mr. F. E. Shoosmith for lotion bowls and stand; Mr A. E. Fisher for Ambulance stretcher; Mr. Keithley for the bagatelle table; the management of the Palace Theatre for merlin chair and stretcher: Mr. A. E. Cumberland and Mrs. G. Carruthers for merlin chairs; and to Mrs. Andrew Carruthers for the bath chair.

Besides the above, the hospital received frequent contributions of vegetables, fruit, groceries, eggs, and dairy produce, to say nothing of tobacco and cigarettes, and comforts of all kinds for the patients.

The staff remember, were mostly volunteers, and they were acknowledged with gratitude in an annual general meeting for "the cheerful and willing help afforded to us by the whole staff from the Commandants downwards, not forgetting the splendid labours of the Honorary Medical and Dental Staffs, the members of which, in spite of serious overwork occasioned by the absence of so many of their colleagues on active service, have given ungrudgingly so much of their time and attention to the Hospital."

Specialised skills were also donated by the community e.g. a Mr. Allen gave freely his time and skill in the capacity of Masseur, to the benefit and appreciation of patients and staff alike. Miss M. Parker filled temporarily the offices of Secretary and Quartermaster, and also organised such novel and interesting competitions for the patients. Mr. Percy Alien provided motor cars on numerous occasions for the transport of patients; and the management and employees of Messrs. George Kent. Ltd.. Commercial Cars Ltd., Skefko. Diamond Foundry,  Vauxhall Motors, and other firms for organised entertainments on behalf of the hospital.

The members of the Luton and District Master Hairdressers’ Association gave up their Sundays and Wednesdays to attend the patients free of all charge, and helped raise funds for the hospital by holding a whist drive. The membership of the Men’s Red Cross Sections 1 and 3 gave energetic services in window cleaning, orderly and night duty, and a Mr. Sidney Attwood provided mineral waters. A great number of ladies and gentlemen helped to entertain the patients by concerts, or other ways, either inside or outside the hospital.

The public ensured, due to their generosity, that the public the finances of the Hospital were in a satisfactory condition.

The Town Council of Luton let the hospital use Wardown Park rent free, and gave assistance in repairs and alterations, and for the provision of more adequate sanitation. The Parks Committee afforded the staff and patients special privileges; and Mr. A. E. Wray, of the Luton Tramways, provided free tram services for the patients to attend entertainments in town.

With the aid of so many generous gifts, and by the endeavours of the staff, Wardown became, one of the most efficient V.A.D. Hospitals in the county.

Total: 29 as reported in the Luton News & ancestry.com. None reported for 1916, double checked.

1914

• Cashmore, Frank, 15th October 1914, 1274, aged 17, Royal Field Artillery, 3rd North Midland Bde.

1915

• Raynor, January 28th at Wardown Military Hospital, George Harry Raynor aged 19. 1/4 Battalion Leicesters. Died on Home service. Resident at 25 Mill Lane Leicester, attested into Army on 16 October 1914.
• Ladlow, Feb 6th at Wardown, Luton. Herbert. Ladlow, 5th Battalion Lincs aged 18. 5 Battalion Lincolnshires. Died on Home Service. Funeral march through town.
• Private. Martin, Harold, Feb 25th at Wardown Military Hospital, Luton. 2/5th Lincolnshire. Aged 17. Battalion formed at Grimsby on 6 Feb 1915. Died on Home Service. No Medal Index Card seen,he was 17 so not old enough to go to war at that stage. No entry seen on Soldiers Died in the Great War. No service record seen.
• Parkes, May 21st at Wardown Military Hospital, Luton, Driver. Frank. Parkes. Aged 23.
• Plaskitt, May 22nd at Wardown Military Hospital, Luton, Driver. Fred Plaskitt. Aged 29. Died of peritonitis
• Billington, June 6th at Wardown Military Hospital, Luton, Driver, George.E. Billington aged 34.
• Smith, June 7th at Wardown Military Hospital, Luton, Driver, Joesph.Henry. Smith aged 31 years.
• Bertlin, July 12th at Wardown Military Hospital, Luton. 2nd Lieutenant, Hugh Anthony Bertlin. aged 24. Royal Engineers
• Gregory, July 28th at Wardown Military Hospital, Luton, Private. John Henry Gregory 2/4th Leicester Regiment aged 32.

1917

• Wickstead: January 14th at Wardown Military Hospital, Luton, L-Cpl John Wickstead, aged 42.
• Finch: February 2nd, at Wardown Military Hospital, Luton, Robert Finch, aged 20 years. Driver, Royal Field Artillery.
• Rigden, March 26th at Wardown Military Hospital, Luton, Driver Edward Rigden aged 31.
• Sergeant William Whittaker, died of bronchial-pneumonia and heart failure, on the 31st July 1917 at Wardown Military Hospital, Luton, Sergeant William Whittaker aged 34. Further detailed information here
• Steele, November 10th at Wardown Military Hospital, Luton, Private George Andrew Steele aged 18.

1918

• Gunner John Thomas Purvis (755685 R.F.A.), from Consett, County Durham, died at Wardown V.A.D. Hospital from spinal injuries on June 2nd following an accident two days earlier involving being dragged by a mule at Beech Hill Remount Depot, Luton.
• Ramsey, August 5th at Wardown Military Hospital, Lieut Harold (Harry) Victor Ramsey, Royal Field Artillery. Died of pneumonia.
• Barlow, November 2nd at Wardown Hospital, Luton. Driver Frederick Norman Barlow aged 24.
• McInnes, November 3rd at Wardown Military Hospital, Luton. Bombardier. Douglas McInnes aged 23.
• Stoddart, November 6th at Wardown Military Hospital, Luton. Driver George Stoddard aged 27.
• Genn, November 19th at Wardown Military Hospital from pneumonia. Private. James Edward Genn of Kinsbourne Green aged 39 years, beloved husband of May Genn.
• Brearley, November 20th at Wardown Military Hospital, Luton. Driver Arthur Brearley.
• Iredale, November 22nd at Wardown Military Hospital, Lance Corporal Harry Reed Iredale aged 26.
• Meeks, November 24th at Wardown Military Hospital, Private. George Arthur Meeks aged 39.
• Ford, November 24th at Wardown Hospital, discharged Private John Henry Ford, aged 23.
• Bates, December 29th at Wardown Military Hospital, Acting Quarter Master Sergeant, Ernest Bates R.E. aged 29.

1919

• Willmore, February 5th at Wardown Military Hospital. Arthur Francis Willmore, aged 18.
• Foster, February 24th at Wardown Military Hospital, Luton. Air Mechanic 3rd Class. Frederick Charles Foster aged 32.
• Sneddon, February 22nd at Wardown Military Hospital, Luton. Sergeant. William Sneddon aged 26.

All the photo's we have of Wardown Park V.A.D. Hospital, can be found in this .pdf file. 

An interesting occasion was that at Wardown V.A.D. Hospital on Tuesday evening [May 20th, 1919]. After years of magnificent service throughout the war in tending the sick and wounded soldiers back to health and strength, the time had come to part from these war associations.

The circumstances could not but call for a great measure of regret, for Wardown Hospital housed a very happy and hard-working family during the war. Thanks to Mr and Mrs F. W. Plummer, the host and hostess of the evening, the emphasis was laid on the pleasurable side of the evening's breaking-up presentations and speeches.

The proceedings were of quite an informal nature, and a delightful entertainment was given by London artistes. Songs were prettily rendered by Miss Whymant and Master Basil Dines, of Luton, and Mr Ellcock was the accompanist.

During the evening the assembly adjourned for refreshments. There was a large gathering, including the whole of the hospital staff in indoor uniform, the medical staff, the Hospital Committee and other friends. All enjoyed the evening's pleasure so kindly given by the host and hostess, and the gathering proved a most fitting finale to the splendid war period of national service.

There were several interesting presentations in the earlier part of the evening. The Joint Commandants, Mrs J. W. Green OBE and Mrs R. Durler OBE, received from the staff admirable illuminated addresses. On the top appears the name of the Red Cross Society, and the wording on each is as follows: "This address is presented to Mrs Mary A. Green OBE (the other address bore Mrs Durler's name) by the members and staff of her detachment, No 12, Bedford, as an expression of esteem and affection, and in recognition of her devoted and unselfish service as Commandant of the Wardown V.A.D. Hospital, Luton, from October 1914 to May 1919."

Sister Hobbs made the presentations amidst applause, and the recipients feelingly responded.

Mrs Green remarked as that was probably the last occasion on which they would all meet together, she wanted to thank all who had given her such generous support.

The hospital was opened in October 1914, and in November 1915 was taken over by the Red Cross. Since then over 3,500 patients had been through the hospital. The busiest and most anxious period was during the influenza epidemic last winter.

It would have been impossible to have accomplished so much without the goodwill and great interest of all, especially as nearly all the work was voluntary. Their thanks were due to the Town Council for the loan of the building, and to Col Stevens, the County Director, who had been most kind and helpful. To Mr F. W. Plummer and the Committee she extended most grateful thanks for his hospitality that evening.

When she thought of all connected with the hospital she felt that no hospital ever had a more devoted band of workers. They remembered the kind friends who helped so much lending furniture, and giving food, fruit and flowers. The interest taken by all in the neighbourhood had been a great encouragement.

They owed gratitude to the medical staff - (applause) - for the doctors had given much time despite the calls on their time, and had given of their best to the patients. She thanked the nurses, cooks and all workers in the hospital from the bottom of her heart. She would never forget their loyalty. In Sister Hobbs they had an ideal sister, whose cheerfulness and devotion had endeared her to all.

Now that the hospital was a thing of the past, she knew all would look back with pride and pleasure to their association with it, and they felt better women for having done their best to relieve some of the suffering of those who fought for the country in the war - (applause).

Mrs Green then presented Sister Hobbs with a handsome solid silver toilet set, and, in responding, the Sister said she had enjoyed the work and had been very happy there.

Some weeks later, Sister Hobbs, along with V.A.D. nurse Miss Winifred Green, was awarded the Royal Red Cross, 2nd class, for valuable nursing service during the war.

Sister Hobbs, the daughter of Luton businessman and photographer Mr T. G. Hobbs, had been in charge of nursing at Wardown since 1916, when she succeeded Sister Cooper. In January 1917 she was praised for the speed with which wards were cleared when a fire broke out at Wardown. Hospital staff also got the small blaze in an annexe under control using chemical extinguishers, leaving the borough brigade with little to do upon their speedy arrival.

Digest of stories from The Luton News: Thursday, May 9th, 1918.

Luton Town Council's Park Committee reported receiving Mr F. W. Plummer and Councillor Hubbard as a deputation from the Wardown V.A.D. Hospital Committee with respect to a request made to the hospital to provide accommodation for a further 20 wounded and discharged soldiers.

To accomplish this, additional room would be required, and the hospital authorities wished to avoid the delay and expense which would be entailed by the erection of an annexe. Councillor Impey, the Chairman of the Parks Committee, had suggested that arrangements should be made to provide the wife and children of the caretaker with a home in the town rent free, so as to release the rooms they occupy for hospital purposes. The Committee recommended the Chairman, Borough Engineer and Parks Superintendent should make the necessary arrangements.

Moving the adoption of the report on Tuesday night, Councillor Impey referred to the fact that the caretaker himself was in the Army and had been wounded. He added that they had been able to meet the wishes of the deputation, and the caretaker's family would be removed and returned to Wardown free of expense when the premises were no longer required by the hospital.

Councillor Hubbard thanked the Committee and the Council on behalf of the Hospital for the expeditious manner in which their request had been met. It would interest the Council to know gthat there were come very seriously wounded men, some had lost an eye, and arm or a leg, and others with badly suppurating wounds occupying beds in London hospital while on the way to convalescence.

The action of the Council would now enable some of them to be removed to Wardown, and it would be much appreciated by the soldiers there, for Wardown seemed almost like heaven to some of them after their experiences.

• There was a large gathering of women workers in the Council Chamber of the Luton Town Hall on Thursday evening when addresses were given by Lady Cowen, Mrs Prothero and Miss Thompson, and a local branch of the National Union of Women Workers of Great Britain and Ireland was formed. Lady Cowen said the Union welcomed the worker with the brain as well as the worker with the hands. They were non-party and welcomed equally woman of all shades of political opinion, and those with no political views at all. Officers appointed provisionally until an annual meeting was held were: President, the Mayoress (Mrs Dillingham); Vice-President, Mrs Keens; Hon Secretary, Mrs Ebbs; Assistant Hon Secretary, Miss Forman; Hon Treasurer, Mrs Fletcher.

• Owing to other calls upon her time, Mrs G. E. M. Walker, who has been Hon Secretary of the Luton Women's Unionist War Working Party ever since its inception on August 10th, 1914, has felt obliged to resign her position. At the last meeting she was presented with a large hammered English pewter fern bowl as a mark of appreciation of her work.

• Cpl C. H. Hanson (Royal Field Artillery) had a nasty accident while riding a restive horse at Biscot yesterday. It reared, threw him off and galloped over him, bruising his back and ribs. He was taken to the Bute Hospital, where his injuries, which turned out to be not serious, are being treated.

• Yesterday's post brought welcome news to Mrs Clark, of 132 Wenlock Street, Luton. After being in anxiety concerning her missing husband since March 21st, she received a card from him saying he was a prisoner at Limburg in Germany, but quite well. Pte Josiah Clark (Staffordshire Regiment) was formerly a Luton Corporation labourer.

• Mrs Allen, of 5 Pondwicks Road, Luton, has had official news that he husband, Pte C. H. Allen (Essex Regiment), has been missing since March 28th. [Pte Allen was later confirmed to be a prisoner of war in Germany.]

• Yesterday morning at King Street Congregational Church, Miss Dorothy M. White, daughter of Mr and Mrs H. White, of New Bedford Road, was married by the Rev E. B. Mahon to Mr Frederick S. Booth, son of Mr A. F. Booth, the well-known hat manufacturer. The bridegroom was one of the earliest volunteers in the war and saw active service with the London Regiment in France. He was badly wounded and subsequently discharged.

• An application was received by Luton Town Council from the 'N.T.F.' Committee to hold a concert at Wardown Park on White Sunday or Whit Monday in aid of their Prisoners of War Fund. They pointed out that by a donation of £50 this week they had now contributed in 22 months a sum of £726 and were desirous of realising a total of £1,000 by the end of the second year. Councillor Primett said there had been 16 prisoners added during the last few days and the Prisoners of War Fund would need replenishing more than in the past. The application for use of the park was unanimously agreed.

• Prisoners of war: Pte Horace William Kilby (East Surrey Regiment), 11 Salisbury Road, Luton; Cpl Henry William Draper (South African Infantry), Lutonian living in South Africa; Sgt Walter Gore (Herts Regiment), 10 Langley Place, Luton; Pte Lionel Bird (Machine Gun Corps), 43 Arthur Street, Luton.

• Roll of honour:Pte Ralph Crawley (Royal Fusiliers), 201 High Town Road, Luton; Pte James Charles Bent (West Yorkshire Regiment), 135 North Street, Luton.

• A month ago Mr and Mrs William Biggs, of 23 Vicarage Street, Luton, were officially notified that their only son, Pte Arthur William Biggs (Essex Regiment) was wounded on March 22nd. this was the extent of the information, for the form did not even say that he had been admitted to hospital, but was accompanied by a notice stating that no further information was to hand. [Pte Biggs is recorded as having been killed in action on March 21st, 1918.]

• The wife of Pte S. G. Gutteridge (Beds Regiment), of Mangrove, has received the news that her husband was wounded on March 28th, and is now at Chichester Military Hospital with wounds in the head, right hand and arm.

• Mr Albert Tompkins, of Crutchmore Farm, Mangrove, has been officially informed that his son, Pte Albert Joseph Tompkins (Oxford and Buck Light Infantry) was officially reported missing from March 21st. [Pte Tompkins was killed in action near Arras on that date.]

• The park keepers have complained to police of boys throwing stones in the park, and on May 1st Pc Frost caught a number of boys on the bridge over the lake throwing stones at a boat passing underneath. The boys, who work at Messrs Lye's dyeworks, were in the park during the dinner hour. They said they were splashing some boys who had done the same to them the previous day. Five boys, all from Stopsley, were fined five shillings each.

• The Rev Harold J. W. Knights, who was curate at Christ Church, Luton, from 1907 to 1912, is now a chaplain with the Forces in the Holy Land, where so many Luton men are serving with the Bedfordshire Regiment.

• An alarming accident occurred in Cheapside about 4pm on Saturday. A horse attached to a horse-breaking gig owned by Mr Albert Saunders, of Round Green, took fright at a passing motor car belonging to the Steam Laundry Co. It reared up on the footwalk and put one of its forelegs through the window of Messrs Blundell Bros' warehouse on the opposite side to the firm's shop, smashing a plate glass window. The animal was slightly injured by broken glass.

• Sunday last being Rogation Sunday, a service for the blessing of the crops was held in the Stockingstone allotment field by the Vicar of Stopsley (Rev Shorting), assisted by Mr A. Monger, the licensed lay reader of St John's Mission Church, Round Green, and the choir boys from Stopsley and Round Green all being robed. There were a good number of allotment holders present, with their wives and friends.

• On Saturday afternoon, in the presence of a large number of people, Archdeacon Kenneth Gibbs, of St Albans, dedicated a lych gate at St Mary's Church, Offley, the same having been erected by the members of the family of the late Colonel and Mrs Gosling.

• The managers of Caddington Group of County Council Schools met at Luton Unions House on Monday evening. A letter of complaint was read from Mr H. T. Smith, caretaker of Norton Road School, Leagrave, saying he was sorry the County Council could not allow him any grant for cleaning materials, as his wages "were not too much". The school was in a very dirty condition when he took over the duties, and the only tools left were "one pail with a hole in the bottom and an old scrubbing brush". The Chairman (Mr W. T. Lye) explained that the County Council had definitely refused to make a grant for cleaning materials, and they could do nothing further.

• The sequel to the using of a motor car at a local wedding last Thursday was heard at the Luton Borough Court yesterday. Mr J. W. Green, of The Larches, New Bedford Road was summoned using gas for his car contrary to the restriction order, and also with not having obtained a gas permit. Me Green held that a public duty was being performed to carry Mrs Green and her daughter from Wardown Hospital, where they were busy, leaving at the last possible moment and returning to duty again as early as possible. the summons for using the car was dismissed on payment of costs, and a fine of 10 shillings imposed on the second charge.

• Mr Charles Green, Secretary of the Luton Town Football Club, received at the beginning of the week a letter from Gunner Ernest Simms, the Town centre-forward, who has been serving in Italy, stating that he expects shortly to be in England. In a short letter he said he had undergone an operation on his hip. It would leave him a bit weak for a time, but a load had been lifted from his mind by the advice that it will eventually be all right. Mrs Simms has since received a message stating that her husband has arrived at Shrewsbury Hospital, and that the operation was necessary owing to an abscess forming as the result of an accident.