Digest of stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: January 6th, 1917.

• Kempston Barracks [X550/1/112/18 - BLARS]

During the last few days men of military age in Luton and district who have been passed only for low categories of military service owing to physical defections, have been considerably perturbed by the receipt of notices from the Substitution Office at Kempston Barracks requiring them to register at the Luton Labour Exchange before Thursday, January 11th, 1917.

The advisability of obedience has been inculcated by the military authorities in their own particular manner, and so far as men who have not been exempted by a Tribunal are concerned, it is very necessary they should obey.

But similar notices have also been received by men who have been exempted from military service by Tribunals, engendering a great deal of unrest and anxiety among such men and their employers.

With a view to allaying this disquietude we interviewed the Town Clerk (Mr William Smith) on the matter as Clerk to the Borough Tribunal. He said: "My attention has been drawn to these notices by many men who have received exemption from the Tribunal, and it seems to me that such notices have been sent out without any discrimination from the Substitution Office at Bedford, and in a considerable number of cases have been received by men who have received exemption either on their personal application or the claim of the employer.

"I am of the opinion that such men are entitled to disregard the notice, as the military authorities cannot claim a man for any purpose whatever until his certificate of exemption has been withdrawn by the Tribunal. Any man who received one of these notices should return it to the Substitution Officer at Bedford with a note on the form stating that he was conditionally exempted on whatever date it may be."

• A gloom has been cast over Biscot Camp this morning by the news of the death of Col Frank Griffith, second in command of the Royal Field Artillery unit at Biscot. Col Griffith died from pneumonia at his home in Bromley Kent, yesterday at the age of 55. His illness had lasted many weeks and he had been away from military duties for a considerable time.

• Mr Arthur Kent, of Hazelbury Crescent, Luton, has received many messages concerning the welfare of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr and Mrs J. W. Funge, who were fleeing before the Germany Army in Roumania. Mr Funge, who formerly worked at Luton Hoo, had entered the service of Prince Bibescu of Roumania as a gardener at the royal palace, and Mrs Ethel Funge had the care of the Princess's Persian cats.

• Driver C. Nicholls (pictured right), son of Mr F. Nicholls, of 49 Wellington Street, Luton, is now serving at the Front with the Canadian Heavy Artillery. He has for several years been farming in Canada and came back to England with his regiment six months ago. He was stationed on the East Coast before going to France in September.

• In the New Year's Honours list, the Military Cross for distinguished conduct in the field has been awarded to Second Lieut Wilfred Edward Cooke, son of Dr F. W. Cooke, of Shrewsbury, grandson of the late Mr Richard Cooke, of Westfield, Luton, and nephew of Mr R. E. Cooke, of 'Shirley,' New Bedford Road, Luton.

• On Thursday a horse attached to a cart owned by Messrs G. Powdrill & Sons Ltd, Luton, dashed from the firm's yard in Hartley Road and bolted down and across Hitchin Road, crashing into Mr A. Jakins' shop window at 21 Hitchin Road. The plate glass window at the fruiterer's shop was smashed, and the horse sustained severe cuts.

• A verdict of accidental death was returned by a jury at an inquest into the death of Cpl Frederick A. Skidmore, aged 26, of the Royal Engineers, stationed at Houghton Regis. The Sheffield soldier had been wheeling his cycle across Chalk Hill, Dunstable, near the Green Man pub, on Tuesday, January 2nd, and hesitated as a motor van heading north from Dunstable approached. The driver braked but the van skidded on the greasy surface. The driver was exonerated from any blame in the accident.

• An unfortunate accident occurred at the Diamond Foundry this morning, resulting in injuries to Frederick Smith, aged 17, of 24 Wimbourne Road, Luton. While at work in the moulding shop, a considerable quantity of molten metal splashed up and burnt through his clothing on the right side, severely injuring his arm, body and leg. He is going on well at the Bute Hospital.

• Following last week's victory over Chelsea, a disappointing crowd of not more than 3,000 spectators were at the Town ground today for the visit of The Arsenal in a London Combination match. Simms gave Luton an interval lead with a goal scored midway through the first half, but the visitors scored four second half goals to win convincingly. Included in the Luton line-up was Hugh Roberts, on leave as a private at the Front, who took a train to London immediately after the game on his way back to France.