The Luton News

Private Frederick John Moorhead

Pte Frederick John Moorhead, 50151, 11th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, was killed in action near Arras on May 4th, 1917.

Second Lieut Guy Chipperfield, in charge of his her husband's platoon, wrote in a letter to widow Eleanor that Pte Moorhead was killed by a shell while on a night carrying party. "He was unfortunately buried by the shell, and will probably be reported 'Missing, believe killed' but there is, I fear, no doubt as to his fate."

Private Charles William Peet

Pte Charles William Peet, 22170, 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, was reported missing, believed killed, near Arras on May 3rd, 1917.

War Office notification that he was missing was received by his sister at 64 Warwick Road, Luton.

The son of Johnathan and Ellen Peet, he was born at Greenfield in Bedfordshire in 1878, Charles Peet was an employee of George Kent Ltd before enlisting in October 1916. He proceeded to the Front in March 1917 after a short period of training.

Private Walter Ernest Boskett

Pte Walter Ernest Boskett, 32209, 6th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, died as a prisoner of war on May 9th, 1917. He was aged 38.

There does seem to have been some confusion on the battlefield. Second Lieut Dudley W. Wright wrote to widow Maud at 99 Ashton Road, Luton: "With great regret I have to inform you that your husband, Pte W. E. Boskett, of this battalion, was killed in action on the 25th of April. He was killed by a shell, and his death was instantaneous. The officers and men would like to send their deepest sympathy."

Sergeant William Cyril Frederick Charles Meakins

Sgt William Cyril Frederick Charles Meakins, 3635, 51st Company Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), was killed in action on April 23rd, 1917. He had been badly wounded in the abdomen and was unable to move from right up against the German wire. A comrade who tried to help him placed him in a shell hole, but was unable to find him when he returned for him later that night.

Sgt Meakins, known as Cyril, was initially reported missing, believed killed, before parents William and Ada at 12a Cardigan Street, Luton, were officially informed on May 28th.

Sergeant Sidney Cherry

Sgt Sidney Cherry, 50457, 11th Battalion Suffolk Regiment, was presumed killed in action near Arras on or soon after April 28th, 1917. He was aged 32.

His widow, Mabel, at 162 High Town Road, Luton, had received a letter from a Seaforth Highlander stating that during an advance they were lifting a dead German officer in a trench when a pocket-case fell from the officer's jacket. It contained photographs and cards relating to Sgt Cherry's family. It was not known how they had come into the German's possession.

Private Albert Hughes

Pte Albert Hughes, 42733, 10th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, was killed in action in Flanders on May 7th, 1917. He was an old Territorial who had served for over 10 years in India with the Bedfordshire Regiment before being called up at the outbreak of war for service with the Worcesters.

Second Lieut Macleod, writing to his family at 39 North Street, Luton, said that Pte Hughes had been buried behind the lines. His death had been practically instantaneous, thus causing no pain.

Private William Horsler

Pte William Horsler, G/50146, 11th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, died on May 6th, 1917, from severe wounds sustained on the battlefield. He left a widow and six children at their home in Limbury.

On May 5th a chaplain wrote to Ellen Horsler at Warden View, Limbury, informing her that her husband had wounds in both legs and his right hand, which had had to be amputated. Four days later another chaplain wrote that Pte Horsler had died on May 6th.

Driver Frederick Albert Matthews

Driver Frederick Albert Matthews, 35792, 136th Company Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) and ex-25541 Beds Regiment, died of gunshot wounds at Basra, Mesopotamia, on April 24th, 1917.

He would be the first of three brothers to died on the battlefield within six months - Harry in France on June 17th, 1917, while serving with the Royal Field Artillery, and John (a Military Medal winner) died in France with the Royal Engineers on October 4th, 1917.

Lance Corporal Aubrey Oliver Pryer

L-Cpl Aubrey Oliver Pryer, 23418, 14th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, died on May 6th, 1917, from wounds sustained in the Battle of Arras. He was aged 23.

Comrade Pte A. J. White wrote to parents John and Emily Agnes Pryer at 51 Belmont Road, Luton, to inform tham that 'Monty' [L-Cpl Pryer] had died from serious wounds. News came down the line that he was wounded and was being conveyed down later in the day.

Private Victor Freeman Baxter

Pte Victor Freeman Baxter, 33013, 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action near Arras on May 3rd, 1917. He died just days before his 19th birthday.

He had joined the Bedfordshire Regiment at the outbreak of war, but was later transferred to the Leicesters. He spent some time in England before being drafted from Halton Camp to France.

One April 22nd he had written to parents William and Minnie Baxter at 7 Villa Road, Luton, to say he had just come out of action and was quite well. That was followed by a letter from a pal to say that Victor was missing.

Private William Hankin

Pte William Hankin, 307038, 2/7th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), was killed in action in France on May 3rd, 1917. Older brother, Alfred (Beds Regiment), had died from wounds in France on October 30th, 1914.

Dunstable-born William had enlisted in the West Riding Regiment in March 1916 and went to France the following January. Parents Alfred and Alberta Hankin had moved from Dunstable and were living at 64 Ivy Road, Luton.

Lance Corporal John Thomas Longden

L-Cpl John Thomas Longden, 13234, 10th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, was killed in action in France on April 28th, 1917. Although he is included on the Luton Roll of Honour, he may not have lived or worked here and his connection appears to be that his mother, Eliza, had moved to live at 6 Church Street, Luton, a short time before his death.

L-Cpl Longden's connections appear to be almost entirely with the Rotherham area of Yorkshire, where both he and his parents were living when the 1911 Census was compiled.

Private Archie Walter Patten

Pte Archie Walter Patten, 32151, 6th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, died in Etaples Hospital, France, on May 4th, 1917, from serious wounds sustained in the Battle of Arras on April 23rd. He was single and aged 24.

He had enlisted in the 1/5th Bedfords at the outbreak of war and took part in the Dardanelles campaign. He was invalided home with dysentery and spent three months in the Mile End Hospital. In November 1916 he was drafted to France.

Lance Corporal George Trott

L-Cpl George Trott MM, 3/7607, 7th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was post missing then killed in action on May 3rd, 1917. He was aged 34.

In a letter to George's widow, Bertha, at 59 Ridgway Road, Luton, Lieut F. N. Sherwell wrote that on the morning of the 3rd, when the battalion attacked the German lines, L-Cpl Trott started off with the platoon and was last seen just over the top of the British trenches. All enquiries possible had been made, but there was no further news of him.

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