Pte Oswald Simmonds, 7948, 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regt, was presumed killed in action on October 31st, 1914. But it was 15 months later before his wife Rose Lilian received official notification of his death.

Pte Simmonds, who was aged about 30, was included in the lists of men who had joined the colours that were printed in the Luton News in 1914. His address was given as 56 May Street, Luton, the address also included on the Luton Roll of Honour.

He was an employee of George Kent Ltd, on whose roll of honour his name appears, and had previously worked at Hayward Tyler as a brass moulder. He was well known in local football circles.

Born in Walthamstow, he was a reservist who was called up at the beginning of the war and went through the early severe fighting. He was reported missing in October 1914.

In the 1911 Census he was recorded as living with his brother at 219 Hitchin Road, Luton. The Luton News reported that before his marriage to Rose he was staying with his aunt, Mrs Leverett in Park Street West. After marrying he lived in Dane Road and had a daughter, Alice, born in November 1914.

The January 1916 report said Mrs Simmonds was by then living with her sister, Mrs Alice Bates, at 56 May Street, Luton.