L-Cpl William George Giltrow, WR/266190, Railway Construction Coy Royal Engineers, died from influenza and bronchitis in the 48th Clearing Station, Namur, Belgium, on January 29, 1919. He had joined the R.E.C.Z. Headquarters in Belgium.

The 29-year-old, who lived at 23 Althop Road, Luton, was previously Assistant School Attendance Officer for Luton and a member of High Town Primitive Methodist Church, where he was choir ssecretary and a Sunday school teacher. He had also served as a special constable.

William had married Miriam Louise Harding in Luton in 1915. In a letter to Mrs Giltrow, Chaplain the Rev J. Dobbs wrote: Your husband had the most loving care and attention, and everything possible was done to save him. I buried him in the beautiful cemetery of Belgrade [Namur, Belgium], and the funeral was attended by a number of his friends.”

L-Cpl Giltrow had joined the R.E.s on March 6, 1917, and went to France ten days later. His death was the third loss suffered by his family. Brother Alfred Giltrow died in Egypt, and his sister, Mrs Rayment, had passed away at her home in Hastings Street, Luton.

A reference to L-Cpl Giltrow's death was made at the Sunday evening service at High Town Primitive Church on February 9, 1919. The Rev William Curry said: “At the early age of 16 he became a teacher, and gathered the boys round about him. He was a splendid Sunday school teacher because he loved his boys and would allow nothing to interfere with his attendance at school. He found his place in the choir, and very seldom was his seat vacant. For some years he was secretary and he served in that office with rare devotion.

“When he joined the Army he did not become a different man – the same manly, transparent nature was exhibited. He did his work well, and among the soldiers always proved to be a splendid comrade, and never missed an opportunity to attend any religious service that might be near.”

Born in 1890, William was a son of William and Elizabeth Giltrow, who in 1911 were living at 49 High Town Road, Luton.