Harry Arnold

Harry Arnold

Though born in Greenfield near Pulloxhill, it was from Barton that 13-year-old Harry Arnold came to Luton to work for a box and packing case maker. It would prove to be the start of a long association with the town, both commercially and in public service.

Son of a carpenter, it was perhaps no surprise that his largest business venture was Arnold’s Timber Yard, which sat on New Bedford Road near Mill Street. Around the same time he had become an integral part of the still nascent Luton Town Football Club, first serving as a treasurer and then becoming chairman in 1897, a role he was to fulfill until 1929, with his attempts to stand down each year always met with strong opposition from those who recognised his importance to the club’s running.

When he did eventually relinquish the role he became the club president, and overall gave good service for an incredible 54 years. He was a fan too. Speaking in later life, his Grandson could recall Harry needing quiet at 5pm on a Saturday when Luton were away so he could hear the score on the wireless.

As well as a strong interest in education – he donated the land for Luton Grammar School (now Luton Sixth Form College) and Arnold School in Barton is named for him – he somehow also found time to serve on the Town Council and become Mayor of Luton in 1907, as well as being appointed High Sheriff in 1935 and operating as chairman of the Luton Watch Committee for many years. This public service would eventually lead to him being awarded the freedom of the borough by Luton Town Council.

Harry married Gertrude Johnson in 1904 and had four children, though sadly only two would survive until adulthood. He lived on Downs Road for much of his life before eventually returning to Barton, where he died in 1946. The match against Tottenham the following Saturday was marked with a minute’s silence and black armbands.