Harrogate Herald - 24th November 1915
Dear Chaps,
Some of you boys who know Private Cyril Ford,
of the Veterinary Corps, will wonder where he has got to. Whilst at
the Front he was kicked by a mule and had his ribs so fractured that
he has been in hospital about three months. I think he has spent all
that time at the hospital at Reading. You know he went out at the
same time as Lieutenant Ellison, Lieutenant Sheffield,
and had for his pal Jim Elder. He and Elder were
employed at the George Hotel before the war. Apart from those I have
mentioned, Ford has not met other Harrogate boys. I am glad
to say that he is just about well now, and will probably be
returning to duty. He has been out twelve months.
Private Heap's brother has been in to tell me
that Heap has received a shrapnel wound and is in the
Carmichael Ward of the Princess Christian's Hospital, in the town, I
believe, of Reading. He is of the 6th West Yorks, and has been out
nine months. I am glad to say that the wound is not very serious, so
I trust he will soon be quite right.
You will remember that Lance Corporal H Holmes,
son of Mr Harry Holmes, of St Mary's Walk, was wounded some
time ago at Ypres by shell in the right leg. For some time he has
been in the Bath Hospital, Harrogate. On Friday he came in to see
me, looking extremely well. Just a little paler, but full of life,
and spirits as ever. He expects shortly to be able to return to the
Front. In the meantime he desires to be remembered to all the boys
who know him and to wish them the best of luck.
Miss Ada Hardcastle, daughter of Mr
William Hardcastle, farmer, of Beckwithshaw, has found time to
do some work for the boys at the Front. She sent me some socks and
woollen scarf for our own local boys. I shall endeavour to find a
Beckwithshaw lad who is in need of them.
Amongst my packet of letters I received one from a
lady, the other day, asking if I could tell her of a lonely soldier.
By that I understand she means some soldier who has no one to write
to, or to send him parcels. At the moment I do not happen to know
the address of one. Will one of you boys, or two or three if you
like, who happen to know a man at the Front who feels lonely and has
no friend to communicate with him, let me know the name and address
that I may assist the lady in her good project.
I expect you boys will be receiving lots of
Christmas parcels, possibly you may have a surfeit of plum puddings.
I am thinking now of your eatable parcels. It has struck me to
remind you that cold plum pudding is a very good substitute for rich
plum cake. I found it out many years ago when I was a little nipper
and crossing the Atlantic. I felt inclined for plum cake one day, as
I had not had any during the whole voyage, and asked the head
steward. He brought me a thick slice of what I deemed to be very
rich plum cake. It was cold plum pudding, but it was very good.
Touching these Christmas parcels. It would not be at
all a bad idea if some of you boys mentioned in your letters to me
anything in particular you would very much like to have in the way
of provisions or anything else at Christmas time. Whatever it is I
will make known your want and do my best to get what you desire.
Sometimes, we at home are absolutely fast to think what we can send
the boys at the Front, for a change, in a way of food, luxuries and
clothing. It does no harm at all, but rather good if you
occasionally remind me of anything you think of.
Lieutenant Leonard Varley, of Shipley, has
been killed by a German sniper. He was the grandson of the late Mr
John Varley, Knaresborough.
Mrs Bailey, of Starbeck, has received news of
the death of her son, Private J Bailey. We gave his portrait
last week as being wounded. Prior to enlistment he was employed by Mr
J Lockwood, the marine store dealer, Starbeck. You would see
from his photograph what a fine character he was. I deeply regret
his death. Starbeck has, unfortunately, lost many boys in the war.
Last week it was Neil McMillan, now it is Bailey.
Starbeck, however, must, in its sorrow, swell with pride that its
lads have shown so much patriotism. There is another little corner
of the borough of Harrogate, namely, Denmark Street, which also has
a good, though sad, record. Then there is Union Street. It has given
its quota and suffered bereavement like the rest. These are
working-class districts, and it shows us how noble has been the
response on the part of the working classes. It further proves how
thorough has been the patriotic co-operation of all sections of our
national community. When I read of the paltry exhibitions of the
politicians in Parliament, I wish that the records could have been
as clean as our boys who have given their lives, as others who have
borne suffering through being wounded, all for their country. Some
of the so-called politicians cannot even keep their mischievous
tongues still. Yet we are going to win despite them - win thoroughly
- and mainly through the spirit which, those dead heroes have left
behind to stimulate us throughout every trial.
The snow has not remained long with us. Here and
there we can see slight patches, but our roads are now clear. The
atmosphere has been warmer since the snow, and we have been free
from winds.
The winter activities are springing up now. Mrs
Richardson, of St George's Road, came in to see me other day,
and from what she told me I gathered that this winter she id again
taking up her work for the Indian soldiers. I fancy she will combine
comforts for the mine-sweepers. I have no doubt the Harrogate people
will support her as handsomely as they did last winter. You see our
ladies are not tired of well doing, indeed, they are more
enthusiastic and eager than ever. Some of you boys who know the
history of Harrogate will remember that Mrs Richardson is the
daughter of the late Mr Joshua Wright, of Pannal Ash. She
married that highly intellectual and gifted man, Dr Richardson,
who was once the head of Ashville College, Pannal Ash. Both have
large hearts and are active in the good works of Harrogate.
There are over a hundred wounded soldiers at the
Bath Hospital. Amongst them are a number of musical men. I am told
that these boys are organising a concert to be managed and provide
by patients in the hospital. This will be a novelty, will it not?
One of the wounded men called in to ask me to appeal to my readers
for the loan, for two weeks, of a mandolin. It seems one of the
patients is an excellent player on this instrument, but he does not
happen to have one now, and he wants to practice a little to regain
old form before playing in the proposed concert. You will suspect
now how I got early information of the event. The Bath Hospital has
the largest number of patients by far of any local hospital. The
wounded there need about five hundred cigarettes per day if each man
is to have four or five granted him. I have no doubt that other
hospitals will endeavour to organise concerts if the Bath Hospital
event prove successful.
The gentleman who gave the mouth organ prefers not
to disclose his name. He has written to me, however, offering to
give half-a-dozen more if they are required. I am sure you and I are
grateful for his kindness.
We have all been very proud of the way in which
soldiers in Harrogate have conducted themselves. There has been
practically nothing to complain of until last Thursday night.
Harrogate has required no painting, much less the lurid red. Some
subalterns on the night mentioned attempted to decorate the interior
of the Opera House with this colour. I do not think they were
billeted in Harrogate. I fancy they came from the Ripon camp and
originally hailed from the far North. Probably the military
authorities will introduce a black shade to the combination,
whereupon I fancy some of the guilty parties will show white, and a
plaid may result - a Scotch plaid - from all this intermingling of
colour. At all events the Opera House are determined not to have
their patrons disturbed as they were last Thursday night.
Although the Kursaal season has closed, there are
still many events transpiring of a special and interesting nature. Frederic
Villiers, the veteran correspondent and artist, delivered a
lecture at the Kursaal, on Monday afternoon, on the war, illustrated
by his own sketches and special photographs. There is some talk of a
special performance of the "Messiah" about Christmas-time.
It is only a rumour that I have heard, so I cannot say whether it
will develop into an actual fact. The "Messiah" seems to
be as necessary at Christmas-time as any other feature. Performances
of it are arranged all over the country.
A new arrangement came into force with regard to the
liquor trade on Monday. The hours on week-days during which
intoxicating liquors will be sold are from 12 noon to 2.30pm and
6.30pm to 9.30pm; on Sundays the hours are 12.30pm to 2.30pm and
between 6 and 9. these are the hours for consumption on the
premises. For consumption off, the times are : Week-days, 12 noon to
2.30pm, 6.30 to 8.30pm. on Sundays, 12.30pm top 2.30pm, and 6pm to
8pm. The regulation regarding treating shows that it is now an
offence to treat, or be treated, with intoxicating liquor to be
consumed on any licensed premises or club, or immediate proximity
thereto, except at a meal, or to supply liquor for the purpose of
treating. Intoxicants cannot be introduced into a club or licensed
premises on credit. Spirits are allowed to be more diluted. For
instance : Whisky, rum, and brandy to be sold at a minimum strength
of 35 degrees under proof instead of 25 degrees as heretofore.. gin
at a minimum strength of 45 degrees under proof. All sales of
spirits are off limited to 2½ hours per day on the first five
wee-days only. Off sales are prohibited altogether on Saturdays and
Sundays. This is to prevent Sunday drinking, and is intended to
check the introduction of spirits into works and docks. Publicans
are encouraged to supply food and non-alcoholic beverages at prices
within the reach of workmen. There has been less drinking under the
earlier restrictions, and it is expected there will be more under
the new order.
I heard a good joke the other day. It seems that a
certain man was entitled to a pension. He neglected to draw his
amount in January. In February he applied for what was due him and
received it. He then asked for the back reckonings of January. He
couldn't draw them until he submitted a document proving he was
alive in January. I suppose it was all according to the regulations,
but the situation seems very ridiculous. Red tape is often
productive of humour. I am told that this incident is not a mere
tale put up for amusement. I have the name of a Harrogate man who
has proof of the bona-fides of the incident. "Truth is stranger
than fiction".
To Harold Fischer, of HMS Melpomene : Thank
you very much for your interesting letter. I hasten to assure you
that although we know so little of the naval operations, we
recognise what we owe to your branch of the service, and our
admiration for you sailors and your ships possesses us through and
through. When the dirty weather comes and the winds are making our
telegraph wires scream, our first thoughts is for you sailor boys. I
am glad you like the Herald. Be sure you write a card and tell me if
it does not come regularly, and I will see to it. Convey my
sentiments and regards to the rest of the lads. We may not always
say aloud, but we often think, "God bless you".
W H Breare
