Digest of stories from The Luton News: Thursday, May 2nd, 1918.

• Labour hopefuls (left to right): Ball, Brailsford, Knight and Timms.

It has been well said that the throne of England rests on the ballot-box. The Luton Labour Party may therefore feel well satirsfied that they carried out the choice of a prospective Parliamentary candidate by means of this popular instrument.

But it was only a part of the process, and by a grim irony, the successful aspirant voice his aversion to the system invoked when he described it as a "Dutch auction". For many months we have been promised, or threatened with, a Labour candidate at the next Parliamentary election in this division. Just after Christmas there was much talk of a General Election in the late summer or autumn, and, judging by the activity of the National Labour Party, it is still on the tapis, for under their renovated constitution over 200 candidates are prospecting in various constituencies with designs on the House of Commons.

Luton is rather late in the field, but there was evidently no lack of interest for there was such a a variety of opinion among the unions affiliated to the Trades and Labour Council that nine nominations were received from branches. But when the day arrived arrived on which they were to be put to the test they had dwindled down to four.

The Luton Town football ground was requisitioned last Sunday for a ballot, the proceedings timed for 5.30pm. When the Chairman (Mr W. J. Mair JP) opened the meeting the number sheltered under the grandstand was much less than 400, but it crept up until it just topped that total, and one could not but wonder if the thousands of trade unionists in Luton are already suffering from the devastating political disease of ennui.

After each candidate delivered a ten-minute speech, the ballot was taken with the result: Ball 175, Brailsford 135, Knight 101, Timms 2. The Chairman ruling that no candidate had a clear majority, a second ballot involving the two leading candidates was held, the result being: Ball 204, Brailsford 162. Several voters had by then departed or destroyed their papers.

Mr Ball said he did not think this political fight was going to be a forlorn hope, for he thought Labour could win and need not fear the result.

• Enthusiasm reigned high at Dunstable on Sunday when the first presentation in Bedfordshire of medals of the Order of the British Empire was made. It was thought desirable that the presentation to munition workers Miss Violet Golding (Dunstable) and Mr Herbert Janes (Leighton Buzzard) should be of a public nature, and that in addition the handing of the King's Police Medal to ex-Deputy Chief Constable Anniwell should also take place. The ceremony, performed by the Lord Lieutenant of Beds (Mr S. Howard Whitbread) was to have been in front of the Town Hall, but unfortunately the inclement weather necessitated an adjournment into the hall itself. Violet Golding is pictured, right.

• Mr J. A. Burgess was on Monday re-elected Chairman of the Luton Board of Guardians after a close fight. It was the opening of a new year for the Board, and there were present a considerable number of 'backwoodsmen' whose attendances are almost as rare as angels' visits. Councillor Bone, who chaired the vote, said he believed there was a tacit understanding that after two years he would retire and the Vice-Chairman would take the position. In the vote Mr Burgess was re-elected by 16 to 14 over Vice-Chairman Councillor Henry Impey.

• Negotiations have been in progress for a long time with the National War Savings Committee with a view to a Tank coming to Luton, and we learn that after numerous delays and disappointments it now appears probable that it will arrive towards the end of June. As soon as the arrangement is definitely confirmed the War Savings Committee will be called together to launch an energetic campaign. [Tank Bank 'Egbert' finally arrived in July 1918].

• We regret to learn of the sudden death in London of Mr Stanley Hill, a former Luton reporter who had been engaged for many years on an important London news agency. He was a son of the late Mr Hill, straw hat manufacturer, of Wellington Street. Mr Hill's ambition for some years had been to get on the gallery staff of the House of Commons, and we hear that a letter conveying the intimation of his appointment arrived the day following his death.

• A pretty wedding of considerable local interest took place at Luton Parish Church today when Miss Edna Cumberland Brown, eldest daughter of Major H. Cumberland Brown of Moulton Lodge, Luton, the Commanding Officer of the local Volunteer Battalion, was married to Mr Arthur Ernest Gates, the Assistant Electrical Engineer at Luton Electricity Works. The bridegroom is the son of the late Mr Gates and Mrs Gates, of Cricklewood, and is a popular lieutenant in charge of the Signal Section of the Volunteers. The bride and her sisters have done excellent work for a considerable time at Wardown V.A.D. Hospital.

• Before the Rev D. Harries Williams, senior curate of the Parish Church and leader of the Men's Own, took his final farewell for Neath in Wales, he was presented with a travelling bag from members of the Men's Own, and a wrist watch and silver cigarette case from members of the congregation. He is to be succeeded by the Rev W.C.M. Winter from Bolton, now a curate under Canon Chapman.

• Mr A. E. Wray, the Luton Tramways manager, has been elected a member of the Board of Trade Tramways Sub-Committee for No 1 Area, which includes Luton. The work of the committee is the co-ordinating of services and the saving of coal and other materials.

• On Saturday morning, Herbert Keens, of 57 Crawley Road, was driving a horse and a four-wheel van belonging to Mr Barnett, of Leagrave Road, when the horse bolted in Stuart Street, near Rothesay Road. It got as far as Hastings Street, when it slipped and fell, sustaining severe cuts to its side.

• A private presentation was made recently to Mrs Jeffs, mother of the late Gunner E. Jeffs. It took the form of an illuminated letter of appreciation from Biscot Camp of the late Gunner Jeffs' willingness to use his great musical talent for the benefit of his comrades. The letter was signed by Col C. H. Alexander and framed in gilt, surmounted with the R.F.A. badge and Allied flags.

• The death is reported from Rawalpindi, India, of Pte Harry Brinkler (Somerset Light Infantry). He was single and resided with his sister, Mrs Grizzell, at 9 East Avenue, Park Street, Luton. Prior to joining the Colours he worked in the straw trade.

• We regret to announce that Mrs Mather, Matron of the Beech Hill Children's Home, has been informed that her husband, Pte William Mather, who was Superintendent of the Home until he joined the Colours 18 months ago, is missing.

• News has been received by his parents at 37 Cowper Street, Luton, of the death of Pte Frederick William Hoar, who belonged to the Lewis gun section of the Bedfordshire Regiment. He was killed in action on March 22nd.

• L-Cpl William 'Bowie' Gentle MM (R.A.M.C.), of 11 Holly Walk, Luton, was killed in action on April 14th, 1918, by a splinter of shell while attending to the wounded on the battlefield.

• Pte William Thomas Clark, husband of Mrs Clark, of 113 Boyle Street, Luton, was killed in action on April 5th while serving in France with the Bedfordshire Regiment.

• The funeral took place on Friday of Pte Walter Lawrence (9th Queen's Royal Lancers), of 59 Ashton Road, Luton, who died from wounds received in action on April 22nd. He died in Nottingham Military Hospital and was buried in a private funeral ceremony at the Luton Church Cemetery, Crawley Green Road.

• Mrs Chance, of 36 New Street, Luton, has received official news that her husband, Cpl Frederick Chance, died of wounds on April 8th. He was in the Bedfordshire Regiment and had been in France two years.

• Mr and Mrs Crawley, of 12 Rothesay Road, Luton, would be glad of information concerning their son, Pte Ralph Crawley (Royal Fusiliers), who has been reported missing since March 21st. [Ralph was later listed as killed in action on that day.]

• Pte George William Draper, aged 35, of 11 Norton Road, Limbury, was killed on March 28th while serving in France with the Machine Gun Corps. He leaves a wife and one child.

• Pte J. W. Harrison (Beds Regiment) has written to Mr West, of 111 Guildford Street, to inform him of the death in action of his son, Pte Frank West.

• News has been received of the death in action of Pte William James Hinds (Bedfordshire Regiment), whose home is at Rose View, Cumberland Road, Leagrave.

• An anxious household is that of Mrs Rattle, of 12 Naseby Road, Luton, whose husband, L-Cpl Ernest David Rattle (Herts Regiment) has not been heard of since March 18th. His name has not figures in any of the casualty lists, and Mrs Rattle is left with five little girls under the age of seven. [Ernest was later listed as killed in action.]

• News has been received that Pte Joseph Walter Shackleton, son of Mr and Mrs Shackleton, of 189 High Town Road, Luton has been missing since March 21st, and efforts to get any further news of him have up to now proved fruitless. [Pte Shackleton was later listed as killed in action on that date.]

• Sad news reached Mr and Mrs Stanley Fensome, of Stopsley, recently that their third son, Sgt Sidney Fensome, of the Beds Regiment, is missing. [Sidney was killed in action on the Somme on March 22nd, 1918.]

• A trial of anxiety is being endured by the relatives of Pte Herbert Rogers (Machine Gun Corps), 32 Maple Road, Luton. He was posted as missing on March 22nd, and his father Francis, not having received any further information, has written to the Divisional Commander. [Pte Rogers was later confirmed to be a prisoner of war at Parchim in Germany.]

• Sapper William Harold Woodford (Royal Engineers), whose home is at Aley Green. has been officially reported as missing on March 25th. He is an old employee at the Diamond Foundry, Luton. [Pte Woodford was later confirmed to be a prisoner of war, was repatriated and then discharged with pulmonary tuberculosis. Sadly, he died in February 1921].

• On Thursday, Mrs Hughes, of 39 Chapel Street, Luton, received news that her brother, Pte Sydney Dyer (Berks Regiment), who formerly lived with her, was wounded in action between March 20th and early April. No further news has been received. He was an employee of Messrs Hayward Tyler and Co.

• Mrs Plater, of 59 Chobham Street, Luton, would be glad of any information regarding her son, Pte A. Plater (Sherwood Foresters), who has been reported missing since March 21st, 1918. [He was later listed as a prisoner of war in Germany.]

• Another family is suspense is that of Mrs Taylor, of 22 Milton Road, whose son, Pte Gilbert Taylor (Royal Fusiliers), is reported missing in France since March 22nd. [Gilbert George Taylor was later confirmed to be a prisoner of war].

• Wounded and a prisoner is the disconcerting news which has reached Mr and Mrs Goodwin, of 5 Belmont Road, Luton, concerning their son Pte Oliver Arthur Goodwin (London Regiment). They have received a card from him saying he is a prisoner of war at Darmstadt and wounded.

• Pte Samuel Snoxell (Beds Regiment) has written to his mother at 31 Chase Street, Luton, stating that he is a prisoner of war in Germany. He was captured on March 22nd and is now quite well.

• Pte Sidney John Goodman (Royal Fusiliers), who has been captured by the Germans has been in the thick of the strife almost since war broke out. is also a prisoner of war. His wife lives with her parents, Mr and Mrs Carter, at 9 Wenlock Street, Luton.

• Pte Percival William Hardwicke (Lancashire Fusiliers), the only son of Mr and Mrs Hardwicke, of 33 Cowper Street, Luton, is another of the unfortunate warriors who were captured in the early stages of the German offensive, and is now at Limburg, Germany.

• Pte Reginald Smith, son of Mr Alfred Smith, the organist at Stopsley Wesleyan Chapel, has forwarded a card to his parents from Limburg, where he is a prisoner of war.

• Fifteen months of Army life has terminated in Pte Ralph Goodwin, son of Mr and Mrs A. T. Goodwin, of 26 Ridgway Road, Luton, being taken prisoner in France on March 23rd. At the time of his capture he was serving with the Machine Gun Corps.

• After waiting six weeks for news, Mr and Mrs J. R. Pieraccini, of 19 May Street, Luton, have just had information that their youngest son, Rifleman R. Pieraccini, was taken prisoner on April 2nd during heavy fighting in France.

• L-Cpl Horace E. Bailey, plumber and decorator of 64 Grove Road, Luton, has been awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry in action in the recent big battle for Amiens. Full details are not yet to hand regarding the deed which has been officially recognised, but it is well known that during the past few weeks the Yeomanry to which he belonged have been very much in evidence and have had the honour to distinguish themselves. L-Cpl Bailey is pictured, right.

• Rifleman Reginald Albert Tompkins (King's Royal Rifles), son of Mr and Mrs F. Tompkins, of 31 Frederic Street, Luton, wrote home that he was a prisoner of war in Germany. He is aged 19.

• Mrs Ellis, of 111 High Town Road, has received news that her grandson, Pte William Cheshire (Chesher), of the London Regiment, was posted as missing on March 28th. Soon afterwards a card arrived from William to say he was a prisoner in Germany, but was sound and going on well.

• The wife of Pte W. Tomkins, of 76 Ash Road, Luton, would be pleased to receive any news concerning him. He has been reported missing since March 24th, serving with the Bedfordshire Regiment.

• Rifleman Albert Samuel Impey, King's Royal Rifles, and son of Mrs L. Impey, of 1 William Street, Luton, is another lad taken by the Germans. He is aged only 19.

• Pte Walter Charles Bird, who was in times of peace organist at Mount Tabor Primitive Methodist Church, had been taken prisoner by the Germans. He is the son of Mr and Mrs Bird, of 59 Reginald Street, and his wife lives at 70 Arthur Street. A card from Pte Bird, dated March 31st, communicated his news.

• Referring to the wounds received in action by Pte A. T. Pinney (Bedfordshire Regiment), the Rev W. A. Ferguson has written to his wife, Mrs Pinney, of 55 Duke Street, Luton, that owing to serious wounds in the leg, it has been necessary to amputate the limb. Since then Pte Pinney has been transferred to Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot, where he is making satisfactory progress.

• Mrs F. Mardle, of 20 Church Street, Slip End, has received news that her son, L-Cpl E. Mardle, of the Machine Gun Corps, had been admitted to the 22nd General Hospital in France suffering from a gas shell wound, and later was informed that he is in hospital in Glasgow. Previous to the war he was employed by the English and Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Societies Ltd, Dallow Road, Luton.

• Pte N. Logan, of 51 Warwick Road, Luton, has been wounded by gunshot in the head and is in the 45th Stationary Hospital, El Arish, Egypt. He was serving in the East with the Bedfordshire Regiment when he was wounded.

• News has come to hand that the son of Mr and Mrs A. Dillingham (Suffolk Regiment) has been severely wounded by shrapnel in the left thigh. He is a former employee of Messrs Hayward Tyler & Co Ltd. He was drafted to France with the Bedfordshire Regiment, and was there transferred to the Suffolks. He is now in Boulogne Hospital.