Pte Joseph William Hare, 33634, 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action in Flanders on July 28th, 1917. He left a widow, Alice, and had been married for only 16 months.

Joseph had joined the Bedfordshire Yeomanry in 1915 and was quickly promoted to lance-corporal. At Christmas 1916 he was transferred to the Bedfordshire Regiment and reverted to the ranks. With them he went to France. On April 20th, 1917, he was wounded but returned to the fighting line after a three weeks stay at the base, and remained in service until his death at the age of 26.

Pte William Peck, 31136, 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, is recorded as having died of wounds on July 27th, 1917, after being in action near Arras. A newspaper report at the time said widow Elizabeth, of 69 Chobham Street, Luton, was informed that her husband had been killed in action.

William had married Elizabeth Philpott at St Paul's Church, Luton, on June 24th, 1914, shortly before the outbreak of war. At the time he was a milkman working for dairyman Mr F. W. Pestell, of 17 Burr Street.

Just ten days after returning from home leave, Military Medal recipient Pte William Henry Brown, S/7023, 9th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, was killed in action in Flanders on July 23rd, 1917. He was aged 26.

Pte Brown, who had turned down a commission to continue his work as a stretcher-bearer, was hit at 4 o'clock in the afternoon by a piece of shrapnel from a shell. Just an hour earlier he had been tending the wounded of his own company.

Gunner Albert Bunnage, 365941, 308th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery, died on July 22nd, 1917, from wounds sustained on the battlefield. He had been attended to by the No 6 Canadian Field Ambulance. He was aged 32 and single.

In a letter to parents William and Ann Bunnage, of 47 Windmill Road, Luton, Second Lieut F. Gardner said their son was killed in the performance of his duties. A chaplain had conducted his burial service.

Pte Bert Frederick Good, 43098, 6th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment, was killed in action in Belgium on July 21st*, 1917. He was aged 20 and single.

He had joined the Northampton Regiment in January 1916 and was drafted to France three months later. He had returned to the firing line just a fortnight after recovering from previous wounds when he was killed.

Ernest Breed was born on 22nd March 1878 in Luton. He was 1 of 8 children born to William & Mary Ann.

In 1901 Ernest is 23 years old & living with his family at 13 Edward Street. He is working as a straw hat bleacher's labourer alongside his 51 year old father William. His mother Mary 51 is working as a straw hat sewer at home whilst looking after 14 year old sister Eunice & 12 year old brother Sidney.

Pte William Flitton, 200760, 1/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, died of wounds on July 21st, 1917, after seeing action in Palestine. He had previously fought in the Gallipoli campaign in which he was wounded in the arm but quickly recovered to serve in Egypt.

William Flitton was born at Watbridge, East Hyde, the son of David and Jane Flitton, who were living at Letchworth Road, Limbury, at the time of their son's death. In the 1911 Census he is described as a 15-year-old farm labourer. He was employed on Mr Hartop's farm at Biscot before he joined up at the outbreak of war.

Pte Percy Thurlow, 200236, 1/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was the second son of Arthur and Harriet Thurlow, of 216, Wellington Street, Luton, to die on the battlefield.

Percy was killed in action in Palestine on July 20th, 1917. Older brother Frederick William had died of wounds at Gallipoli on August 17th, 1915.

Friday, July 20th, 1917, was a day of double tragedy for widower William Hull, of 34 Buxton Road, Luton. Three weeks later he learned that on that day youngest son Lance-Sgt Charles Hull, 200294, 1/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, had been killed in action in Egypt. And two weeks later still he was informed that eldest son Pte Frederick Hull (200592) was missing - presumed killed in the same battle on the same day, fighting with the same regiment. Two sons lost on one day.

Pte Frederick James Bysouth, 200992, 1/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action in Palestine on July 20th, 1917 - a day of particularly high casualties for the regiment. He was aged 32 and married with a wife living at 123 Russell Street, Luton.

Frederick had joined the Bedfords in October 1915 and, after six months training at Halton, set sail for Egypt 15 months before his death.

Pte Thomas Felks, 203179, 1/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was confirmed killed in action in Palestine on July 20th, 1917, after initially being reported missing. He was aged 33.

He was the unmarried son of John and Mary Felks, of 23 John Street, Luton. He had joined up at the beginning of 1917 and, after a short period of training, was sent to Egypt.

A brief report in the Saturday Telegraph said that before enlistment Tom Felks was employed by fishmongers D. Hammett & Son, of 18-20 Hitchin Road, Luton.

Pte Cecil Harold Blaydon, 200712, 1/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed instantly in a raid on enemy lines on July 20th, 1917. The 21-year-old was buried in a cemetery behind British lines.

He was the second son of Sidney and Mary Lily Blaydon, of The Knapps, Toddington Road, Leagrave, to have died in action. Youngest son Albert Edward died at Gallipoli in August 1915.

Cecil served as a stretcher-bearer with the Bedfords from the outbreak of war. Like his younger brother he had served at Gallipoli.

Pte Arthur William Purser, 13857, 7th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was severely wounded on the Somme on July 1st, 1916. For the next 12 months he underwent operations in hospital. In July 1917 he was sent home on leave to prepare for a further operation. On July 20th he died in uniform at home in Toddington, at the age of 32.

Pte Samuel George Whittington, 200564, 7th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action under shell fire near Ypres on July 18th, 1917. He was aged 34, married and had a daughter.

Capt S. Tabor sent the news to widow Nellie at 79 Hastings Street, Luton. Pte Whittington had seen only eight weeks service with the battalion in France, although he had joined the Beds Regiment in another battalion at the outbreak of war.

Percy Gurney was born in Luton in January 1893. He was 1 of 8 children born to Tom & Emily.

In 1911 Percy is 17 & living at 48 Hartley Road with his family that are all working from home in the hat trade. His father Tom is 42 & a self employed straw hat manufacturer, his mother Emily, 40 & 19 year old sister Emily Rosa, are both straw hat finishers & younger brother, 16 year old Frederick George, is a straw hat machinist. His 12 year old sister Lizzie is at school.