Digest of stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: May 4th, 1918.

We are pleased to learn that Pte Harold V. Carrington, Royal Army Medical Corps, was awarded the Military Medal on April 24th for conspicuous bravery. He is the son of the late Mr Alfred Carrington, of 44 Harcourt Street, Luton, and brother of Mr Clifford Carrington, who was in the employ of the Luton News as apprentice to printing until he enlisted (whilst under military age) in the Royal Engineers.

Prior to August 1914 Pte Harold Carrington (pictured, right) was a member of the R.A.M.C. whose headquarters were in Grove Road, Luton, but during the camping season of 1914 he was attached to the Essex Yeomanry, and went to France with them early in October 1914, where he is still serving.

During the autumn of 1917 he was mentioned in despatches for bravery and recommnded for the Military Medal. This was not awarded, but he was promoted to full corporal and granted a special leave. He was disappointed in not receiving the decoration on that occasion, and on bidding his father goodbye as he was returning to France he remarked that he would get it if ever he was in another big fight, or the Germans should "get" him.

About three months ago he was transferred from the Essex Yeomanry to the Cavalry Field Ambulance and, as generally is the case, he was reduced to the rank of private. He felt this very keenly, but it did not lessen his devotion to duty, as shown by his latest achievement.

Before the war he was employed by his brother, Mr S. B. Carrington, ladies' tailor, of Park Square and Highfield Road (late lance-corporal in the Yorks Regiment).

• The Luton Chamber of Commerce last night made tangible recognition of their esteem of Mr Thomas Keens, the Secretary. The President (Mr C. P. Wood) said it was his pleasant duty to present Mr Keens with a magnificent solid silver tea and coffee set and a silver cigarette case on behalf of the Council and the Chamber of Commerce in recognition and appreciation of the Secretary's service to the trade and commerce of Luton generally for the past 23 years.

• A memorial service for Gunner Thomas W. Ivins, licensee of the Painters Arms, High Town, will be held in the Lady Chapel of the Parish Church on Wednesday evening, when Mrs Ivins will be pleased for any friends to attend to pay their last tribute to his memory. Meanwhile, at the Borough Court this morning, the licence of the Paints Arms was transferred from the late Mr Ivins to a soldier named Frederick Barrett. Mr Ivins was killed at the Front and Barrett is his executor. Mrs Ivins was too unwell to appear.

• The new bowling green which has been laid by the Luton Adult School opposite Wardown Park was formally opened this afternoon, there being a good attendance of visitors from the other clubs in the town, who participated in some good games., The green is the actual work of the Adult School members, several of whom have worked at it continuously for two winters. It is a remarkably fine piece of work, being delightfully situated.

• A special constable showed coolness in stopping a runaway on Thursday afternoon in George Street, Luton, when the main thoroughfare was crowded with shoppers and workers. A horse attached to a van belonging to Messrs C. A. Coutts & Co was standing in King Street, when it suddenly bolted down the hill. Unable to pull it up, the boy in charge - Alfred Anderton, of 108 High Town Road - jumped from the back. As the horse dashed at the gallop into George Street, the shafts broke from the van. With these prodding it on, the horse failed to turn the corner and slipped on the pavement outside the Dujon Restaurant, while the vehicle smashed in the restaurant window, doing considerable damage but involving no personal injuries. Quickly recovering its feet, the frightened animal was about to make another dash up the street when Special Constable A. Asker succeeded in holding it.

• After receiving news that her grandson was missing, Mrs Bedford, of 33 Highbury Road, Luton, has had a card from him saying he was a prisoner of war in Germany. She also learned that he is in hospital.

• It has been the sad fate of L-Cpl Albert George Odell MM to be captured by the enemy on March 21st, the first day of the German offensive, when he had been in France only a few hours after returning from home, where he had spent a short period of leave.

• Yesterday was a Luton and Dunstable anniversary of note, as 60 years ago the two towns were place in communication by the opening of the railway.