Stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: August 21st, 1915.

There can be no doubt that the 1/5th Beds Regiment have arrived at their destination, for one casualty is announced in a message received on Wednesday by Mr Henry Chaundler, Clerk of Biggleswade Urban and Rural District Councils, who was officially informed by the Territorial Records Officer that his son, Second-Lieut P. R. Chaundler, had been wounded. No information was given as to the extent of his injuries.

We have been in touch with many families who are represented in the 1/5th Bedfords and they have not yet received news that the regiment had landed It is possible that Lieut Chaundler received his wounds during landing operations.

But L-Cpl W. G. Tebbey, of 8 Wenlock Street, Luton, wrote home to his wife that they had arrived in the Bay after being a number of days at sea.

• The quality of the Luton lads who have joined since the outbreak of war has over and over again been proved by the honours which have fallen to them. One of the latest to be recognised is Able Seaman Herbert Arthur Bailey (pictured right), son of Mr and Mrs W. J. Bailey, of 64 Grove Road. Until February, Seaman Bailey was engaged in his father's business as a plumber and decorator, but early in March he was on his way to the Dardanelles with the Hawke Battalion of the Royal Naval Division, and he has been at the Front 16 weeks. He has taken part in several hot engagements on the Gallipoli Peninsula, and his behaviour has been such that he has now been recommended for a commission.

• The Munster Camp appears to be more comfortable than some others for prisoners of war. In a letter, Sgt A. Birley, of the Gloucesters, writes to his wife at 27 New Bedford Road, Luton, that he and fellow prisoners, nearly all French, had been allowed to organise and equip a tennis club - at their own expense.

• Following an appeal received from a Luton lady acting as a sister in one of the base hospitals in France, Luton Volunteer Corps members passed round the hat for contributions towards gifts of cigarettes for wounded soldiers. Well over £1 was realised towards paying for a consignment of 9,000 cigarettes already sent.

• On a pitch two miles behind the trenches the 1st Field Company, East Anglian Divisional Royal Engineers, have just played an beaten the 1st Hertfordshire Regiment, who provided all the equipment for the game. Opening batsman Driver J. H. Joyce top scored with 27 runs and Sapper G. W. Webb scored 24 out of a Royal Engineers total of 65. The Herts Regiment scored 51 in reply.

• The necessity for securing 1,000 new recruits for 2/5th and 3/5th Bedfordshire Regiments was emphasised at Thursday's meeting of the South Beds Recruiting Committee, held at Luton Town Hall. Lieut Limbert, of the 3/5th Bedfords, came to solicit the help of the committee as it is this battalion which provides the drafts for the 1/5th Battalion now on foreign service.

• It was announced at Sunday morning's parade of the Volunteer Corps that it was proposed to form an ambulance section under the command of Sr Edwards, the Medical Officer. It was proposed that drills for this should be held two nights each week and also on Sunday mornings. First aid to the injured would be taught, together with nursing, sanitation, military hygiene, cooking etc. Sub-Section Commander P. Phillips has also undertaken work in connection with the formation of a motor cycle section.

• This morning another accident occurred at Messrs Kent's works. Frank Hurley, a driller, was working at some piping when the forefinger of his left hand was caught in the gear of the machine. The finger was at once smashed. Hurley's comrades rendered first aid, and he ws afterwards taken to the Bute Hospital, where he remains.

• The week's works campaign on behalf of the stricken Belgian refugees ended in Luton at noon today, when a meeting was held at Messrs Hayward Tyler's works in Crawley Green Road, when workers unanimously voted £20 to the Belgian Fund. At Balmforth & Co yesterday, a show of hands promising financial help was unanimous.

• The members of the Swimming Section of the Vauxhall Athletic Club have decided to help their members on active service in a very practical manner. They have agreed that the proceeds of last week's gala, after all expenses are defrayed, shall be devoted to the sending of parcels of tobacco and cigarettes to the members on active service, and about £2 10s will be utilised in this way. There are some 14 members in khaki. They went out with the latest contingent to the Dardanelles.

• It is satisfactory to note that Luton Town Football Club have fewer players on the retained list than any club in the Southern League except two, both of whom are Second Division, Welsh and comparatively new clubs - Merthyr Town and Newport County. For a club of the standing of Luton this is very praiseworthy indeed, and the directors are to be congratulated on their reasonable treatment of their players. They have only 31 players on the retained list, whereas the average is 43.