Harrogate Herald -  20th January 1915

Dear Chaps, 

If I am duller than usual this week, please understand it is not that my interest in this correspondence is cooling. The fact is I have been busy for over a week paying the penalty of overwork. Nothing serious, only temporary rebellion on the part of physical faculties. So bear with me, please, till I pull round.

There has been quite an epidemic of the same complaint (a kind of laryngitis) with depressing and weakening prostration such as influenza in one of its phases. They say it is not influenza. Then it must be a near relation. You've seen a sick dog looking for an isolated corner? That's about the way of it just now. We are a lot of sick dogs and take our medicine sadly.

Charles Thorpe, of Knaresborough, has had his operation in the Infirmary and is making good progress. He has received his discharge from the Territorials, and we are looking forward to his return to work on the Harrogate Herald reporting staff. The two sons of Mr Charles Atkinson (solicitor), Registrar of the County Court, have been given commissions in the 3rd West Yorks, I believe, "reserve". You perhaps remember Mr Cattley, who was prominent in local affairs at one time. He was a Town Councillor of Harrogate, and eventually moved to York. I regret to say he has just lost his mother. Major Collins, who was invalided home to Knaresborough some little time ago, has been promoted to Colonel. He is in the Scots Greys.

It is possibly an old tale revived, but the story goes that one of the officers of a present Harrogate contingent was drilling his men on the Stray. His commands are given in a deep voice that "bays". He barks his orders in the regulation form. "Stand at ease!" The men stood easy - a pause. A deep-mouthed dog barked twice, "bow-wow" - the men formed fours.

The first German helmet reached Harrogate on Friday. It was sent from France by Dick Whitehead, whose wife despatched it to the Herald Office to be photographed and exhibited in the window. It had been worn by one of the Landsturm, who was shot in the back of the head. The ole caused by the bullet is plainly discernible. The helmets are heavy, uncomfortable things; for show rather than for comfortable service, we all think.

You will be glad to know that the men training in Harrogate have become very smart and steady in their drill. Their improvement in so short a time is astonishing even to me who see them at work each day. The Lancashire men have a big dog whose breed I will not venture to conjecture. It is amusing to watch that dog when the men are drilling. Now and then a stray cur puts in an appearance. When the latter commences to indulge in familiarities the regimental mascot goes for him. One shake does it, and the ground requires no further policing. The dog at once obeys the officer's commands and responds to "cease fire", though it is not put quite that way.

Jonas Prest is dead. You remember Jonas' long, lank form, his bald head and patriarchal face, and his every-day eccentricities. Jonas was a good man, carried away by a pursuit of knowledge that prompted him to be ever in advance of his fellows. Such men are regarded as cranks, and, like others, we considered him more or les gullible through his appetite for new ideas. He had intelligence, but when a man fastened his billycock with a string under his chin, many were inclined to doubt it. He was indifferent to public opinion, therefore public opinion was seldom on his side.

Another personality has passed away. Jonathan Ward, of Westmoreland Street, known for his skill in medicinal herbs. That man undoubtedly relieved a good deal of suffering amongst the poor. He had a considerable following, who felt an implicit faith in him. He attended to his own business, and after all, was a man of considerable mental strength and character.

I mentioned last week the beautiful weather of Saturday week. Last Saturday the conditions were very similar. Towards night the sky was blue with a suggestion of gold in it. The domes of the Grand Hotel stood out against the sky like Eastern architecture in an atmosphere of that tome peculiar of the Orient. Just as the Saturday of the week before was a weather breeder, so last Saturday was another. Sunday was clean and frosty, Monday likewise. It tried to snow on Sunday night, but failed. You have seen Harrogate when the air seemed white and the sun dimmed by frost. That is the aspect Harrogate has been wearing of late. I mention these things because I know you are always trying to picture home in your minds. I want you to see it as we are seeing it.

The men on the Stray are drilling. When at ease they are beating their hands and stamping their feet on the hard ground. It is all preferable, even grateful, after the continuous moisture of months. The chimney pots glow in the sun, and the roofs gather softness from the same influence.

You will have noticed in our picture page many familiar portraits. If any of you boys have not seen your own there, will you be good enough to send me one or tell me to whom I am to apply for one, so that they may appear? You may mention it to any of the other Harrogate lads, and say to them I am anxious to give their portraits as well if I can only obtain the photographs. You will see in the Harrogate Herald today the addresses of the men on service who are on my list to receive Harrogate Heralds weekly. Send me word of any other Harrogate and district men who are not on the list.

Before long the Spa Rooms will not be available for the soldiers' club. Mr J W Ackrill, who had done so much for this welcome club, is anxiously looking out to try to obtain a room or rooms elsewhere. They are very bad to get, however, just now, but it's to be hoped he will succeed.

I have just had Sergeant Adams, of the 7th Clearing Hospital, in to see me. He has had a few hours leave and returns tomorrow.

The boys training here nearly fill St Peter's Church every Sunday morning at early service, and it is quite a sight to see such an unusual congregation. The service is shortened and appropriate. I have mentioned the bugle band of the West Yorks Reserve, called the Beechwood lot. There has been a great improvement of late. To the drums and trumpets have been added a number of cornets.

Will James Bailey, Royal Field Artillery, send his number and fullest details of his address if he can? We have letters from him in the Harrogate Herald today, and we have received his portrait.

To Reginald Thompson : You will find Billy Bell's address in the list published today in the Harrogate Herald.

To Billy Bell : Reginald Thompson wants your address. He will have found it by now in today's list of Harrogate men serving with the colours. In the same list you may find Thompson's address. Bless you, my children. now we are happy.

After these reunions the Harrogate Herald Office feels like a home for lost dogs - war dogs. Never mind, boys, if I can help you find your pals at the Front I am willing to take no end of trouble. So do not hesitate to ask.

W H Breare