Harrogate Herald - 3rd March 1915

Dear Chaps,

We are at all times simmering with patriotism and pride in our soldiers. Sometimes the occasion comes when it is a relief to bubble over. The sight of a mud-stained, weather-beaten warrior from the trenches, even, sets the pot a-boiling. An arm in a sling, a chap on crutches, and the fire of sympathy glows with a warmth that does us good.

Thursday afternoon the moment arrived when we could really let ourselves go. At ten minutes past three the Harrogate Station was crowded by a throng beaming with pleasurable anticipation. His Worship the Mayor, Alderman Sheffield, was there, the Town Clerk, Mr J Turner Taylor, Councillors, and other people. The occasion suggested history. Someone was expected. That was evident. Who could it be? The train glided in. the press of people, after a moment's hesitation, surged in one direction. The centre of gravity was a carriage door, the object of interest a young soldier bronzed and attained, just as he had left the trenches a few hours before. A cheer, a rush, and the station was alight with beaming faces. The young soldier drew back surprised, flushing with modesty. A merciful crowd brought him temporary relief. He was screened. It was Corporal Bennett, who had won the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was the first hero, in evidence, over whom Harrogate could let itself go. What a moment for the modest soldier. It was almost too much for him, and I don't wonder. Here he was being received by the Mayor, Town Clerk, official and unofficial Harrogate, with all the fervour and distinction that could be accorded to Royalty, genius, military or naval conquerors. Nor was that all. The Mayor's carriage was drawn up outside, and in this, accompanied by His Worship, the Mace Bearer on the box, Bennett, his father, and a young man, his brother, I imagine, were driven to his home, where the mother awaited his coming. What a moment for the proud parents who had directed the toddling feet towards the amount of achievement!

It did Harrogate good to let Bennett see what it thought of him. Its next thought was of all the boys at the Front who have borne the best of campaign, and in doing so performed doses of heroism of which we may never hear. Their sacrifices are too numerous and common to stand in conspicuous relief, nevertheless, the service of every man is held by us at home in the same honour of those particular achievements which come of opportunity.

Strangeways looked in on Friday afternoon. He was wounded in the shoulder, and six weeks in hospital in Rouen, but got back to duty in January and is now in better health than ever. He has seen a good deal of service. Has been in India. Was in Africa when war was declared, and got to the Front in October. Is now with the headquarters staff of the 8th Cavalry Brigade, when at the Front. Strangeways, notwithstanding all he has passed through, is as jolly as a sandboy. To us at home, it is wonderful that the unwounded boys we see, fresh from the Front, show no more traces of their ordeals than if they had returned from a summer holiday at the seaside. Bronzed they certainly are; but there's sunshine in their faces and the gleam of health, confidence, and good nature in their eyes. When we meet them we realise what manhood is. It takes the conceit out of us males and makes us wonder at our own cheek in taking meals at table, instead of out of bottle, with a tube.

Since I adopted you boys, I have felt that I have a large family at the Front and on the seas. Shortly, I expect to add one to the number. My fourth son, Lynn Breare, received the intimation on Friday that he had been granted a Second Lieutenant's commission in the 1/7th West Riding Duke of Wellington's Regiment. In April last he took over the Abbey Farm, Knaresborough. It was not very convenient to leave it, but as he is the only one of four sons fit for service, except the eldest, he felt it his duty to go. He has put a bailiff in to manage the farm, and is "ready for off". The eldest has been anxious to enlist, but I could not concur for the ample reason that the living of many workpeople over military age depends largely on his presence in our business. We cannot well shut down the newspapers and throw men, women, boy and girl printers out of employment. Through enlistments from our works we are already understaffed and overworked. In the case of the farmer I could not object, though it means pecuniary sacrifice. However, the State has the right to all we have and all we can do – anything to ensure the existence and freedom of the British Empire and to save our women and children from the German peril.

The Beechwood and Radlyn boys, who, you will remember, belong to the 5th West Yorks Reserve, go to Matlock, perhaps, Thursday. The soldiers here may be said to be doing the round of the watering-places. Some day they may impress their fellows by the presumes length of their purses, when they mention how long they have stopped in each of those fashionable but expensive resorts. They will not feel bound to explain that they stayed there at their country's expense and for their country's benefit. The boys who are going have been good lads, and we shall miss them. We shall, however, still have plenty of soldiers left.

I mentioned in one of my letters that Private Charles Jenkinson, of Spofforth, was first reported killed then wounded. A later announcement, I regret to say, states that he was killed. His brother was also at the Front, but I trust he is safe and well. Captain Thompson, of Loftus Hill, near Ferrensby, is also reported, in this morning's papers, as killed.

I was pleased to have Private W Mayers walk into my office on Monday morning. He was looking well, and denied that he had had much the matter with him. One of his feet had been poisoned, and a bit of shell had struck his finger, but his hand was so cold that he did not feel any hurt from the blow. Mayers is on the horse transport, and is charged with the delivery of emergency rations. He was in the retreat from Mons, and was last to cross a certain bridge prior to its being destroyed. Robinson and Oddy are with him in his locality. Both, I understood, on the horse transport line looking after running the emergency rations. Mayers, who is not of the demonstrative sort, was very earnest in assuring me that everything possible was done for the interior and exterior man at the Front.

At noon on Monday I had an interesting visit from 985 Sergeant Walker, C Company, 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, British Expeditionary Force. He is the son of Mrs Frederick Walker, of Victoria Avenue. He had been in hospital of blood from bad water, and was but two days out of hospital. I don't know how many hospitals he hasn't been in. his war history is somewhat remarkable. In ordinary times he is a lecturer on English literature in Universities of various nationalities. He was in Paris when the war broke out. He went to London, and was enlisted in the 1st West Yorks. He was glad to be amongst the Yorkshiremen. He got to Whitley Bay, thence to the Front, where he remained about four months, two and a half of which were spent in the trenches. He cannot speak too highly of the Yorkshiremen, for two of them saved his life at the risk of their own. Being a lecturer on British literature, he has wonderful descriptive powers, but he told me that no tongue could do justice to those Yorkshiremen out at the Front. What is more, he declares that people at home could never imagine what they have gone through and the splendid way they have done so. There are things that are indescribable, and what these men are doing is one of them. Talk about Victoria Crosses and other distinctions, to his mind statues in gold could not do it. Sergeant Walker was speaking of the men under him and the Yorkshiremen he came across. From what he said I gathered as much could be said for our other boys at the Front. He expects to go back in about two weeks, and if Harrogate folk are desirous of sending anything particular to their friends and relatives he will make good delivery. Sergeant Walker told me that you boys appreciate the Harrogate Herald. In fact, he says there is such a demand for it that it is divided into four parts to save time. Perhaps one man will be a mile, another a mile and a half away, and it is not always easy to get the paper round. They have adopted this method to make it go further. Now, you boys need not have all that trouble if you will but send the names and addresses of those who would like them. Mayers told me Oddy and Robinson would like papers, and I have put them on the list, and they will receive them weekly. You are quite welcome to them, and I'd thank you to let me know who would like one, but be sure and give me the full addresses. With regard to Sergeant Walker's health, he was looking washed out, and if his recovery is not quite complete it may be that he will be given the job of an interpreter. He speaks both French and German.

The farmers are having a good time except for want of horsemen and labourers. The latter are in Kitchener's or at the Front. The former are either in the Army, or, if too old, finding good employment looking after officers' horses. The farmers are selling their beasts at rare prices, meat being in such demand. They are charging more for milk. It is not all profit, because feeding stuffs are dear. Meal is costing something like five pence a stone more, whilst Indian corn might be diamonds, off colour.

Bradford City is not yet knocked out of the English Cup. The game at Norwich ended in a pointless draw, even after extra time. The winning team will play at home, against Everton, next Saturday, in the fourth round. Of course the replay will be on neutral ground. Hull City defeated Southampton at Hull (4-0), thus qualifying for the fourth round.

In the Amateur Cup, Bishop Auckland are still in it. Although playing away, they defeated ??????? 6-3.

The first round of the NU Cup was played on Saturday. Hull beat Dewsbury; Hull KR, Hunslet; Keighley, Askham; Bradford, Batley; Huddersfield, Leigh; Halifax, Barnsley; York drew with Rochdale Hornets; Wakefield Trinity lost to Barrow.

You will realise how busy we are at home, on Government and other work, when I tell you that staffs are working day, night, and Sundays. Tomorrow, Wednesday, Bradford City replay Norwich at Lincoln. For the first time in history the public will not be admitted. This restriction is imposed solely to prevent workmen all over the country from breaking time. The Allies rely largely on Great Britain for ammunition, war material, clothing, food, and all manner of supplies. So you see there is no time for play.

W H Breare