Percy Griffiths of Bedford had joined the regiment in 1915 at the age of 21. He had married the previous year. He failed to turn up for parade in Bedford on 4th April 1916 and it was soon discovered that he had thrown himself under a train at Cow Bridge, Kempston earlier that day. He suffered multiple injuries and died at Bedford Hospital. At the subsequent inquest, the coroner considered it a case of a man lacking the necessary backbone to serve as a soldier. Percy is buried in Bedford Cemetery.
David Warnes had served with Compton's Horse in South Africa during the Boer War. At the outbreak of war in 1914, he was given a commission in the Royal Field Artillery and was soon sent to the East African theatre of war. In June 1917, he was attached to a transport column that made its way to Kirongo, just north of Lake Victoria. Described as a tense and nervous man, he shot himself through the head with his rifle, to be discovered by his man servant. His body would have been buried locally, but is now in the Dar Es Salaam War Cemetery, Tanzania. I have a photograph of David and will post it to the website shortly.
Sidney Green was a well-known resident of Luton, taking a senior role in the JW Green brewing company. He had been a territorial soldier with the Bedfordshire Yeomanry for many years, and earned a Territorial Decoration in 1916 before being seconded to the Scots Guards as a Major. His bravery with that famous Scottish regiment earned him a Military Cross in 1918 and he was also mentioned in despatches. Post-war, he resumed his love of horse racing and was the joint owner of the winner of the 1924 Grand National, Master Robert, a rank outsider. Sadly, he was found near to his home one morning in 1930 having shot himself through the head with his revolver. He was aged 54. He was buried in the family plot at Crawley Green Road Cemetery, Luton.
May they and all others who served their country rest in peace.