Harrogate Herald - 1st December 1915

Dear Chaps, 

I had another pleasant experience of generosity. It was on Wednesday morning Private La Teele, of the Canadian Infantry, came in to ask me to appeal to my readers for the loan of four bicycles for wounded soldiers who were in Harrogate. You must know Mr and Mrs Burrow, of Broadwood, Pannal Ash, Harrogate, have a beautiful place and large hearts. They take into their own home from two to four wounded soldiers who are convalescent and leaving the Grand Duchess's Homes. Mr Burrow advised him to come and see me about the bikes. This was, as I have said, on Wednesday morning. It would be a week before I could have appealed in the Herald for the bicycle. So, as soon as he had gone out, I telephoned to Mr Shires at his Sports Depot in Parliament Street, to Mr Wardman at his place in Albert Street, and Mr Bartle who has the bicycle shop near the Empire. All three of these gentlemen are dealers in bicycles. I made known my difficulty and want. . all responded with the greatest alacrity and kindness. Mr Wardman had one he could lend them, Mr Shires offered two, and Mr Bartle offered one or two; but, as only four were required, I arranged for one only from Mr Bartle.

I telephoned to Broadwood in about 15 minutes from the time the Canadian soldier had called with the information that four bicycles were ready. Mrs Burrow replied that they had two, and would only want two others. However, I arranged for two of the wounded boys to call at my office, and from there they were sent to two of these kind dealers for one each. These were the first on my list : Mr Shires and Mr Wardman. I am just grateful to Mr Bartle all the same. You see all three gentlemen are dealers in bicycles, and so I think I shall ask for private persons who are willing to lend machines to send me in their names. This would release these professional gentlemen, if their own machines were required. As to the soldiers, they were all wounded either in the head or the body somewhere, but their legs were intact, so they could ride bicycles. It is some distance from Pannal Ash to Harrogate, as you know, and these machines will enable them to get to the town speedily, and to have little runs about the country lanes. By the way, Mr Burrow has kindly offered to maintain the bicycles in repair.

You will perhaps be interested to know how I got on with borrowing a mandolin for the Bath Hospital soldier. Early on the morning the Herald appeared in which I asked for the mandolin, Miss Edith Woodhall called with one. Then the following three offers came : Miss Brown, of Oxford Street, Miss Connie Wood, of Haywra Street. ?????????? each offered the loan of an instrument. Later several others were sent to my office. Alderman Houfe's daughter being one of the first to respond in this group. And so offered mandolins poured in, till I think I had about nine or ten, at least, at the disposal of the soldier who wanted only one. Mr J W Pullan, draper, of Cambridge Street also offered. I am sorry I have not the names of all, but I did not ascertain several of them. I was about to telephone the Bath Hospital that Miss Woodhall's mandolin was at the disposal of the soldier, when in came Corporal Holmes, who asked me to make the application, to tell me that a lady had sent one very direct to the hospital, and another lady had sent one to the soldier to keep for good. I am sure all this willingness to please soldiers will be gratifying to you boys.

I am glad to say that I have found a very worthy Trooper of the 1st Life Guards who has neither friends nor relations to write to him or send him parcels. You will remember a lady asked me the name of such a man. Trooper Champion, of the 1st Life Guards, gave me the information through his friends, Mr and Mrs Colmar, of Valley Drive.

There is a young soldier whose career is quite interesting. I dare say you know him. He is Staff Sergeant Instructor Harold Styan, Army Gymnastic Staff, attached to the 3rd Duke of Wellington's. He is the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Styan, of Providence Terrace, Harrogate. He was employed at the Grand Opera House at the commencement of his athletic training. This he commenced at the age of 13, and made his first appearance in public at 16. he appeared, first, at entertainments around Harrogate, and then went on to the music hall stage. He travelled the country with Mademoiselle La Dores' combination. He has appeared at many of the leading London halls. At the outbreak of the war he returned to Harrogate, and enlisted in the 1st West Yorks, and gained promotion from his knowledge of physical drill. He went to Aldershot to study Swedish gymnastics, where he qualified, and was then taken on the staff of instructors, a position in which he is now serving. He is attached to a battalion until it is trained, and then on to another. He is only 20 years of age, and I should fancy the youngest on the staff. He has received a testimonial from Captain Milnes, of the Royal Army Medical Corps, for his treatment and massaging of the wounded. We shall be giving a photograph of Styan, if not in today's Herald, soon after. It shows remarkable physical development.

Private A Richardson, 2734, C Company, 14th Platoon, 5th West Yorks, is a brother of Private Norman Richardson, whom you will remember as receiving that particular mouth organ I have mentioned. He came in to see me on Friday. He returned home on the pathetic duty of attending the funeral of his wife's sister, but, unluckily, he arrived too late. He tells me he is in good health and has increased in weight. He is as cheerful and as happy as the rest of the boys. He remarked on the ample supply of food and everything else save those little dainties sent out by the kind people at home. These are all very desirable extra comforts.

I am sorry to say that Corporal W A Oddy, who was wounded, and whose injuries healed, is now in the Infirmary with a cold contracted whilst on leave. He has neuritis rather badly in the left arm and shoulder, but I hope he will speedily recover his normal health and condition.

I noticed in an evening paper the account of a Belgian soldier who had been wounded and came to hospital in England. He returned to the fighting line, and later obtained leave. He than asked permission to return to the hospital in England, as it was his only home. I had a similar case under attention the other day. Mr Fred Idle, the assistant overseer, brought in Stevanant Alphouse, a Belgian soldier, who looked in the pink of condition. It seems early in the war he, too, was wounded in battle. He was sent to Harrogate, and remained until he recovered. Naturally, the people of Harrogate were very kind to him indeed. Mrs Headley, of Woodlands, took him in when convalescent, and made him very comfortable. This soldier returned to the fighting line and remained some time. He obtained leave, and had a great desire to spend it in Harrogate. Like the other Belgian soldier, he considered Harrogate his home now. It is nice that these soldiers feel so kindly towards our town, and remember with so much gratitude the many little acts of kindness our good people have endeavoured to show them.

I was glad to receive a call from Lieutenant Allen, one of the sons of Mr Christopher Allen. He is the brother of Fred Allen, of the Canadian Force, who married Miss Annie Knowles, the assistant stationmaster's daughter. Lieutenant Allen first went out with the 1/5th West Yorks. Then he was made Second Lieutenant, and sent to the 2/5th. Next he was sent back to his old regiment, and now he has been transferred for ultimate duty elsewhere. I was much impressed with Lieutenant Allen's smart appearance and keen intelligence. We certainly have great reason to be proud of our Harrogate soldier lads, and we are.

On Saturday morning I received a letter from Corporal G R Blackburn, of the 50th Northumbrian Ammunition Column. He wanted a football. I posted the last remaining one to him shortly after. As there are a number of Harrogate boys in this lot, I trust they will be pleased, and enjoy a game during their moments, and at the same time remember out thoughts are with them.

Captain Hamilton, whom you will remember as a prominent veterinary surgeon in Harrogate, has sent us a very interesting letter on farming in Flanders. It appeared in the Herald today. We are exceedingly obliged to Captain Hamilton.

On Saturday morning, also, Private J H Brown, son of Mr and Mrs J H Brown, of Starbeck, came to see me. He is of the 1/5th West Yorks, and has been out since April. Unfortunately, he is in a Sheffield hospital now. He came home with a twisted ankle and torn ligaments. He is able to just walk about, and the hospital authorities have been good enough to let him out, and I saw him on Saturday morning. Apart from his ankle he was all right. Before he left he saw the Alderson's, of Harrogate, and Ellerker, of Ripon, all those of whom were quite well. Brown, before he went off to the war, worked at the Harrogate Gas Office. He sends his regards and wishes for good luck to his pals at the Front.

We patriotic people of the town are always wishful that Harrogate should receive many honours. She has a rather unusual distinction just now. The new Lord Mayor of York is Alderman Foster Todd. He, being unmarried, has appointed his step-mother, Mrs Todd, of Harrogate, the Lady Mayoress of York. I understand she is a most charming lady, and will fulfil her manifold duties with tact and much grace.

The Band of the Yorkshire Dragoons is going to give a concert on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 15th, at the Kursaal. They are also in hopes that the Wells and Baths Committee will grant them the use of the Winter gardens the same evening for the purpose of holding a whist drive. The object of these two events is to provide Christmas comforts for men of the Yorkshire Dragoons. I am sure I wish them success, and I believe that sympathetic Harrogate will support them in their worth object.

You will remember I noted that there was some hitch with regard to the Dragoons Band playing for the doll show in the Winter Gardens. I will not trouble you with the facts of the matter in your letter, for you will be able to read them in the Gossip column today. I hope you will do so because it puts the Dragoons' Band right with the public. Many people have been under the impression that the individual members of the band are making extra profits in war time. This is not so. The fees they earn by playing go to the orderly room and to the band fund of the regiment. They do not benefit individually.

The latest request to me is to ask someone in Harrogate for the loan of a banjo for a wounded soldier who is to play at a forthcoming concert. Some of the other wounded who are to take part in the affair request me to ask if some good people of Harrogate will send them some of the newest songs to get up for this concert. What can these poor boys do? Whilst in hospital they draw no pay, though it is saved for them. They, therefore, have not the means to buy the songs or hire or buy instruments. Happily the public is only too glad to supply their little wants. A good lady who has already done much for the boys at the Front is desirous of ascertaining from me the names of some soldiers who are in need of comforts in the way of something to wear. She does not want me to publish her name, therefore I must bow to her wishes. I am so ??? all the same, because I know you boys will be disappointed to be deprived of the names of people who are so kind. However, will you let me know of any soldiers who are in want of anything of the kind the lady is desirous of sending out? If you will do this, I will forward the names and addresses to the lady in question. I do not mind receiving a fairly long list of names, because I am always receiving these applications. I can the keep the addresses before me, and promptly furnish them. It is quite a business, I can assure you, to keep records so complete and handy that no application is overlooked or unfilled. Sometimes insufficient addresses are supplied. You can help me in this respect.

Whilst we at home are thankful to be able to remember that thus far we have not lost many of out Harrogate boys in the war, we feel very deeply the death of those who are gone. The feeling in the town undoubtedly is a keen, grateful desire to perpetuate their memory. This will done in no niggardly fashion, I am sure. A suitable memorial will probably not be decided upon until the close of war. Even now, however, many of the principal townspeople are studiously thinking over in what form the memory of our dear lads may be perpetuated. Perhaps you have thought it over, or will be doing so. I should be glad if you will let me know what form of memorial you would like to suggest. You can tell me in confidence, if you prefer it, in your letters. Those who will be prominently engaged in the inauguration of such a movement, I am sure, will welcome a variety of schemes. Your intimate association with the war and your help friends who have fallen should help you to form appropriate judgement.

Private J Hamilton, Harrogate, 12279, of the 10th West Yorks, is in Northumbrian CCS Hospital suffering from injury to his ankle, inflicted by the bursting of a shell. He is progressing satisfactorily, but is anxious that his comrades at the Front should have news of him, hence I write this explanation.

Harold Fischer, of HMS Melpomene, writes to ask for the name of the ship on which Fowler, a friend of his, who lives in Albert Road, is serving. Can anyone help me to answer the query?

It is a matter of extreme satisfaction to all of us connected with the Herald to know that our paper is serving useful and novel purposes in the interests of you boys at the Front. Here is a case in point. Private L Nightingale, of Pannal Junction, landed in Suvla Bay (Dardenelles). He was not aware of the presence in that part of any Harrogate boys. You may imagine his delight when he received a certain copy of the Herald to find that Harrogate soldiers were very near him. He ascertained this from the picture page and accompanying soldiers' letters. At the first opportunity he made a tour of the trenches, and by the help of the Herald portraits not only found friends but Harrogate men he did not know, identifying them by their likenesses. You can imagine the lonely feelings he first entertained, surrounded by so many strange faces, was soon dispelled. Spofforth people will be pleased to know that he found Myers, of Spofforth, an old Sunday school fellow. Nightingale served three years with Mr Gunter at Wetherby as a jockey. Nightingale had to go into hospital at Malta, but is now doing well.

To Private C W Reynard, 21st West Lancs Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps - We will send you the photograph you asked for if you will send us your address. We have come across it since you wrote us.

To Max Stanton Linder - I have been very much interested in the two copies of the "Buzzer" you sent me. It is interesting, funny, and clever. I thank you very much. I will do what I can in reference to the gramophone.

W H Breare.