Stories from The Luton News, February 18th, 1915.

News had been received by Mr and Mrs Ward, of 3 East Avenue, Park Street, Luton, and until lately of 37 Bailey Street, that one of their sons, Lance Corporal Alfred Ward, 3/5697, has been killed at the Front.

Alfred (pictured bottom right in this family group) was more generally known as Samson. He was in the 1st Battalion Beds Regt and was 24 years of age. The official announcement states that he was killed in action on January 31st, the place not being mentioned.

(Later records show his family was awarded a gratuity of £7, 15s, 7d, and he is remembered on the Menin Gate, Ypres.)

The deceased was one of a fighting family. His father, who in his younger years served in the Buffs, is now a National Reservist and helping to guard the Midland main line at Sharnbrook.

His four other brothers are all with the colours. Arthur, who is an Irish Fusilier, has just returned wounded from the Front; Fred, who was in the 1st Battalion Beds Regt, is a prisoner of war in Germany; James is at Bury St Edmunds with the 5th Battalion Beds Regt; and John is at Newmarket with the 5th (Reserve) Battalion Beds Regt.

• Reports that motorists had acted as guides to raiding Zeppelins on the East Coast had led Beds County Police to keep a watchful eye on motorists (motorcyclists were also classed in law as motorists). As a result two soldiers, one a captain in the 2nd Beds Yeomanry and the other a corporal with the Royal Engineers stationed at Houghton Regis, were accused at Luton Divisional Sessions on Monday of riding motorcycles at Streatley and failing to produce proof to police that they were licensed to drive. The first case was adjourned in the absence on military duty of the captain and the second dismissed as the soldier could not disobey an order he had been given. The Bench Chairman said even Government motorists could not be allowed to run about the country without licences. There were spies about and it was a very easy matter for a spy to get khaki uniform.

• The request of Mr H. Inwards, vice-chairman of the Luton Volunteer Corps, to use the borough coat of arms on cap badges was agreed by Luton Town Council. Mr Inwards also asked whether the Council could see their way to provide the badges at about 6d each.

• Mr R. E. Oakley, a son of Councillor A . A. Oakley who enlisted in the Public Schools Corps soon after the outbreak of war, has been given a commission as second lieutenant, and we understand he will be attached to the Duke of Bedford's training depot at Ampthill Park.

• Mr William Charles Aylott, of 30 Park Road, Luton, a stoker at the Vauxhall Motor Works, has three sons (pictured right) in the fighting line. The eldest, Henry Aylott, is a Gunner in the 122nd Battery Royal Field Artillery; Pte Herbert Cecil Aylott joined the Grenadier Guards in October; and youngest son Gunner James Aylott is with the 49th Battery Royal Field Artillery in France.

• Last September, when it became known that the town was to become a military centre for the purpose of training and billeting the new recruits of the Army, members of the Dallow Road Adult School decided to throw open their premises for the free use of the soldiers. In the week ended February 6th, 1915, the billiard table had been used by 132 men, 2,505 shots were recorded at the rifle range, and 725 envelopes and 600 sheets of paper were supplied. At the buffet, 440 cups of tea, coffee and cocoa, 800 buns, 72 bottles of minerals, 240 packets of cigarettes and 170 bars of chocolates were supplied.

• There was no absolute distress in the town, Luton War Relief Committee said at a meeting at the Town Hall on Monday evening. Work was available for all who desired it and the soup kitchen had been closed. It had been anticipated that the committee would have to deal with a large amount of relief work during the winter, but this had not proved to be the case and relief had largely been discontinued. Two grants of £1 a week and some smaller grants had been made and in certain maternity cases temporary help had been given. The balance of £1,142 3s 11d from the £2,643 3s 11d subscriptions to the Luton Relief Fund would remain on deposit and there would be no further applications for aid would be made to the National Fund.

• The annual Brotherhood demonstration was held in Luton on Saturday afternoon. As usual there was a street procession from the Moor to the Assembly Hall, with the Brotherhood banner in front and music from the Luton Red Cross Band and the Central Mission Band. Halifax MP Mr James Parker gave the address and there were musical items, hymns, and scripture readings.

• The Luton Railway Mission celebrated its ninth anniversary on Wednesday last week. Special services were held on Sunday.

• Insp Edward Franklin, of the Luton Borough Police has tendered his resignation, to take effect early in March. He had been a member of the Bedfordshire County Constabulary for something over nine years before coming to Luton as Inspector of Nuisances, a Corporation appointment. When that department was reorganised he joined the Borough Police Force, being promoted to sergeant in 1902 and inspector in 1904. He had completed 36 years in the police service.

• At the meeting of Bedfordshire Education Committee on Friday, it was reported that a letter had been received from the Central Council of Bedfordshire County Teachers stating that in their opinion school reports should be treated as confidential and publication of school reports in newspapers should be forbidden. A decision was deferred.

• Head teachers of schools at Flitwick, Haynes and Stagsden have been told by the county education committee that they would not be granted permission to proceed on military service as their places would be almost impossible to fill.

• Mr James Cutler, of the Bute Arms, 1 Liverpool Road, Luton, and formerly of the Engine Hotel, Bute Street, who died on January 16th aged 65, left estate of the gross value of £1,657 10s 4d. Probate has been granted to his widow, Mrs Mary Cutler.