Digest of stories from The Luton News: Thursday, August 1st, 1918.

An important meeting of local trades unionists was attended by a large audience at the Town Hall on Sunday evening, to consider the position locally as a result of the strike in other towns, consequent upon the dissatisfaction caused by the Government's embargo.

There had been little fear of a stoppage in Luton, but when the Government issued the calling-up proclamation it was thought possible there might be a “sympathetic strike”.

A local deputation attended a Leeds conference, and it was to consider their report, in conjunction with the general position, that the meeting was called.

On Sunday the question was, of course, in a very unsettled state, and there was one section of the audience in favour of a stoppage. But there was obviously a stronger element present, which, while agreeing with the bad effects of the embargo and its administration, firmly opposed the idea of a strike at the present critical time.

The position was considered at considerable length, and one of the strongest opponents of a strike was Mr A. H. Wharton, of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers and in politics a well-known Luton Liberal. It was obvious that his attempts to be heard on the question were unfavourably received in certain quarters, but at the same time he appears to have had an overwhelming backing in the audience, and the proceedings at times were very lively.

An amendment in favour of a ballot on the question of a strike was carried by a very big majority.

At the close, when riding to ask a question, Mr Wharton appears to have been ordered out by some of the officials. This action at once caused much commotion, for even those not supporting Mr Wharton were warm supporters of the policy of free speech, and they demanded that he should remain. Eventually, however, on the advice of his friends, Mr Wharton left the hall and was followed by others.

The ballot in any case, it is asserted, would have been against a strike for it is understood that the voting in some of the shops was ten to one against a strike, and that there had really never been any fear of a big local strike.

• Pte A. H. Pond, grandson of Mrs Fletcher, , of 6 Spring Place, Luton, has been awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in action. His CO, in forwarding the certificate to his parents, asks them to accept his heartiest congratulations on the great gallantry displayed by their son.

• Sgt C. Brown (Beds Regiment), youngest son of Mr A. Brown, landlord of the King William IV Inn, Mangrove, is now at home on 14 days leave from France preparatory to entering a Cadet Training Centre in order to qualify for a commission. He is the first man from the village to gain this distinction.

• Capt L. R. Harwood (Royal Engineers) had received from His Majesty Vittorio Emmanuel III, King of Italy, the high honour of Cavaliere (Knight) of the Order of the Crown of Italy for services rendered there. Capt Harwood also received last year in France the Croix de Guerre, 1st Class. He is the brother of Mr G. L. Harwood, of 173 Dunstable Road, Luton.

• Included in the last published list of military awards is the announcement that the honour of the Military Cross has been conferred upon Capt S. J. Green (Scots Guards, Special Reserve), son of Mr J. W. Green, of The Larches, Luton. The account of his gallantry is given in today's Times as follows: “During an enemy attack he was given an important and dangerous reconnaissance, which he carried out successfully. Later, when communication with then front line was cut off by intense shell fire, he went through the barrage. His reports cleared up the situation and greatly helped in the defence.”

• Major (Temp Lieut-Col) C. A. Stidston (RAMC) has been awarded the DSO. He is the son-in-law of Mr Hugh Cumberland, of Luton, and the award was given for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when his dressing station was very heavily shelled throughout a whole day and night and received several direct hits. It was impossible to remove the wounded, but all were finally removed without further casualties.

• The many friends of Mr J. Freeman, hat manufacturer, will learn with deep regret of the sad loss he and his family have sustained through the death of his son, 2nd Lieut Joseph Arthur Freeman (R.A.F.). It appears that Lieut Freeman was stationed near Shrewsbury, and he was flying about 10am on Monday. A farmer has stated that the machine began to spin. It crashed to the ground and caught fire, and Lieut Freeman's death was probably instantaneous. The body was badly burned and the remains have been brought to Luton for interment.

• Messrs Foll & Bawden , at the George Hotel on Monday evening, offered for sale the Tythe Farm, near Leagrave, and Yew Tree Farm (also known as Medcraft's Farm), Chalton. Tythe Farm, with stabling, farm buildings, orchard, motor house, homestead etc, was bought for £8,550 on behalf of Messrs A. J. and W. W. Green, of Bidwell and Billington.

• An open-air concert was given on Saturday evening at the bandstand, Wardown, under the auspices of the Luton branch of the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Soldiers and Sailors. The showery weather unfortunately had a detriment effect upon the attendance. At the close Mr F. Rudd said it might be a surprise to some to learn that the DS&S had new premises in view and they were only waiting for funds.

• At the Luton Borough Police Court yesterday, Marie Burnand, a Frenchwoman living at Woodside and employed at Messrs Kent's, summoned George Marsh, a discharged soldier aged 26, of 30 St Ann's Road, employed at the same works, for using insulting language. In evidence it was said he called her a German, said she was a spy and that her husband had gone back to Germany. She resented being called such names as she came from France and her husband was fighting for his country. The defendant said he was sorry and was bound over for six months in the sum of £2, being ordered to pay the costs.

• The well-known Police Court character Levi Lines, a Luton labourer, answered his 93rd summons at the Divisional Sessions on Monday, when the charge against him was that of having a rabbit in his possession under the Poaching Prevention Act when searched by Pc Housden at Tipple Hill Road, Caddington. He seems to be an inveterate poacher, said Supt Panter. Lines, who said he picked up the rabbit on the road, was fined £1 or 14 days. He paid up at once, Supt Panter remarking that he saw him at a public house the previous evening and he expected he took a collection there.

• On Monday afternoon a fire broke out in a stack on the Chaul End farm belonging to Mr Cripps. The outbreak is thought to have been caused by spontaneous combustion, and was first observed about 3.30pm. The quantity of fodder involved was about 40 tons, and damage amounts to about £200.

• It is officially announce that to the important parish of Christ Church, Luton – the largest in the borough – that the Bishop of St Albans has appointed to succeed Canon Morgan Smith on October 12th, the Rev J. L. Barkway, curate of St Albans Cathedral. Though little more than two years in Anglican Orders, Mr Barkway has been for many years in Presbyterian Orders.