Pte Thomas Richards, 6684, 2nd Battalion, Beds Regt, was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle on March 12th, 1915. He was aged 33.

It was a double tragedy for his widow Emma (nee Worsley, born 1881), of 178 Park Street, Luton. Just days before she received the news about her husband, her only child (Stanley Charles Thomas), died on March 26th, aged just six months. The couple were married on October 4th, 1913.

Pte Albert Sidney Kirby, 3/7346, 2nd Battalion, Beds Regt, was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle on March 11th, 1915.

He was the son of Thomas Kirby, of 138 Wellington Street, Luton, and was born in 1894.

Harold was born in 1899 to coal merchant, Henry & his wife Rose Maria.

In the 1911 census he is living at 41 Edward Street, Luton with his parents & siblings. He has 3 sisters Rose Maria 26, 15 year old Maud, an apprentice dressmaker & Beatrice Elvira, 9 who is at school. He also has 5 brothers Harry 22 &  Frederick 20, working as coalmen, William 17 is a clerk, 9 year old Alfred Charles & 7 year old Stanley Albert are at school.

Frederick Rae was born on 9th February 1879 in Luton to Charles & Sophia.

He married Sarah Oakley in January 1900 & in 1911 he is working as a straw hat blocker & living at 51 Duke Street, Luton with their 2 sons Frederick Thomas, 10 & Arthur Charles aged 7.

He died of wounds 2 October 1918 & is buried in the cemetery on Crawley Green Road, Luton

Walter Allen was born in 1869.

There is no service record for Walter, but the medal roll index tell us that he served in the Bedfordshire Regiment. He received the Silver War Badge in France on 27th April 1915 as well as the Victory, British & 15 Star medals.

He was later attached to 319th M.T. Coy. Royal Army Service Corps.

John Gazeley was born in Luton in 1875.

In 1891 he is 17 years old & is working as an errand boy. He is living at 17 Taylor Street with his family. His father Albert 48, & 21 year old brother Frederick are working as agricultural labourers. His mother Mary Ann, 38 is at home looking after his younger siblings, Ada 13, Sarah 11, Sophia 7, Joseph 4 & 2 year old Rosey.

Augustus Fensome was born in Luton in October 1894, only son of Albert & Sarah Ann.

His father was a printer & stationer. The family are living at 41 Waller Street in 1901.

In 1911 48 year old Sarah Ann is now widowed & has taken on the family business in Waller Street, 14 year old Augustus is working as a boy clerk, his 21 year old sister Hilda Muriel is living with them.

Frederick James Young was born about 1880 in Luton.

He was 5ft 5 inches tall, had a fair complexion, sandy coloured hair, blue eyes & a scar on his left eyebrow.

In September 1895 he joined the 1st Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). During his 12 years with the colours he served in India & in South Africa, taking part in the relief of Ladysmith in 1902 for which he received the South Africa Medal. In 1906 he spent time in hospital  recovering from  a heart problem, then was passed fit for service in February 1907.

Albert Edward Thrussell was born in January 1898, the eldest son of William & Ellen.

In 1911 Albert was 13 years old & working as a news boy. He is living with this family at 99 Church street.

His father William 35, is working as a general labourer, his sister Maude 15, is working as a straw hat finisher & his 35 year old mother is at home looking after his 3 brothers, Fred 10, George 7 & 6 year old Ernest.

No service record can be found for Albert, but he did serve in the Royal Field Artillery.

George Strapp was born in January 1898 in Luton.

He served in the East Surrey Regiment.

He survived the war & in 1922 married Emily Philpott.

He died in Luton in March 1963.

Bertie Strapp was born in Luton in October 1895.

He served in the Machine Gun Corps.

He survived the war & died in 1959.

Lieutenant John Wilfrid Staddon of the East Surrey Regiment was the eldest son of John Henry Staddon, the Mayor of Luton & his wife Kate Elizabeth.

During an evening sitting of the local Tribunal at the Town Hall on 20th September 1916 the Mayor received some news. This was reported in the Luton News the next day. (see attached pdf)

On 29th November 1910 John was accepted as a student of civil engineering working in the Borough Engineers Dept, Town Hall, Catford.

It was reported in the Luton News on 21st September 1916 of the death of 2/Lieutenant Alexander Pigott Wernher, youngest son of Sir Julius & Lady Wernher.

Alexander was born in Hambledon, Surrey in 1897. At aged 4 in 1901 he was living at Luton Hoo Mansion with his brother Harold under the care of their German governess & 27 servants.

Harry Gray was the eldest son of Walter & Ellen. He was born in Luton in 1885.

Aged 18 years, he joined the Royal Regiment of Artillery, Royal Garrison Artillery on 3rd December 1901 as Gunner 9858. On his service record he is described as having a sallow complexion, hazel eyes & black hair & he has a tattoo of spots & cross on his right forearm. He also has 2 scars above his left buttock.

Pte Herbert George Ayres, 27915, 6th Battalion Northants Regiment, who died from double pneumonia on October 26th, 1918, was buried at Luton Church Cemetery in Crawley Green Road on October 31st. His body was borne on a gun carriage from his home at 360 Hitchin Road, Round Green, preceded by the band of the Royal Field Artillery from Biscot.