Pte Ernest Currant, 260151, 1/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, was killed in action in Flanders by a sniper on August 27th, 1917. He had seen only ten weeks service at the Front.

Sgt R. G. Wager wrote to Mrs Mabel Annie Currant at 18 Dunstable Place, Luton: "The battalion took part in a big attack on the enemy's position, and whilst your husband was going forward with his platoon he was sniped in the head by one of the enemy. Death was instantaneous."

Ernest had enlisted in the Essex Regiment (202042) but was transferred to the Worcesters when he went to France. He was aged 35 and had previously lived at 93 Dane Road.

His was a particularly sad story, said the Luton News, and one which should give food for thought to Tribunals in general, for the question of hardship was emphasised by the circumstances.

Pte Currant had used to manage the business operating as Messrs Arthur Smith & Co, plait merchants of King Street, Luton. Towards the end of 1916 an application was made on behalf of Mrs Smith for her husband's exemption, and the Luton Tribunal, knowing the circumstances of the case, granted conditional exemption. The Military Representative appealed and the decision was revoked by the Appeals Tribunal.

Ernest joined up on January 31st, 1917, and the business had to close down, his widow losing the income from it. The couple had no children, but Ernest also had an invalid mother, Sarah.

Ernest Currant was born in Kinsbourne Green, Harpenden, in 1882, the son of Sarah and Abel Currant. In the early summer of 1915 he married Mabel Annie Clark, from Caddington, in Luton.

He had been captain of the cricket team at Woodside for three seasons.