Signal Boy Frederick George Darby was a month short of his 17th birthday when he was drowned when HMS Black Prince was sunk during the Battle of Jutland on May 31st, 1916. His body was not found for burial.

The former Beech Hill pupil had been in the Navy for 18 months at the time of his death. Prior to going to sea he was a straw worker employed by Mrs Kerridge of Bute Street. He served with HMS Powerful and HMS Ganges before joining HMS Black Prince.

His bereaved mother Mary, of 7 Princess Street, Luton, received an official telegram from the Admiralty which read: "Frederick George Darby, signal boy on board HMS Black Prince; to latest information, regret feared lost."