Harrogate Herald - 3rd January 1917

Dear Chaps,

There has been an epidemic of heart attacks at home. Now don't be frightened, because this form is the most delightful complaint that one may have. I will explain : This Xmas lots of boys from the Front have popped in suddenly, without any previous notice whatsoever, upon family circles. In some cases it has been as late as midnight. You can understand the palpitations of all those affectionate hearts in home circles. As you will have heard, there has been some delay for boys on their way home. Not a few arrived on Boxing night instead of before or on Xmas Day. One of these cases was particularly interesting. The soldier was a boy of 17, who had been out at the Front two years. Naturally the mother was filled with anxiety about him, in part because of his youth. Well, the lad simply walked into the family group the other night and gave his people a most thrilling and delightful surprise. That is the sort of heart affection I referred to in my opening sentence. have not seen so many boys from the Front as usual, because of the many gaieties and engagements of Xmas. I hear all about them and do not feel at all slighted that some have not been to see me. I understand quite well that the families of these boys want every minute of their time. Then there are the friends with almost equal claims, so the chaps have been on the go at the double. I heard of one young soldier who, soon after he arrived, trotted his sister off to the pictures, without stopping for too elaborate a toilette. I smiled when I heard of it because it was so like a boy. The young chap that I told you about above, who is only 17, is not likely to go back to the Front. He is to be sent, eventually, to a Scotch regiment and not allowed to return to the Front until he is 19. I think that we may safely consider that the war will not last all that time, so he is probably out of it. Still there is much he can do at home, in a military sense, and his help will be useful.

Sergeant F S Cumberland returned from leave on Thursday. He is the son of Mr T Cumberland, gardener, of Bilton. The father is an old friend of mine whose acquaintance I value. I think the lad must be a chip off the old block, for he has been mentioned in despatches, received the Military Medal, and is further recommended for the DCM. He is a plucky chap. He had a bad attack of rheumatic fever, yet wouldn't go into hospital, but "stuck it", although his temperature was sometimes 103. He has been out two years and three months. I haven't received my information from Cumberland himself, he is much too modest to help me to make my letter to you interesting. he wanted nothing about himself in the paper, but I managed to learn what I have told you from another source. I do not think he will ever find out where I got my information, so my informant is not likely to be penalised.

I have had a visit from Driver A V Heptonstall, of the MT. Two of Councillor Robinson's sons, of the firm England and Robinson - you'll remember - and Heptonstall went out together. I am not quite clear whether Corporal Allen was of his lot, but the Robinsons are. Allen belonged to a troop of entertainers in Harrogate. Lots of the Harrogate boys, who have come out of the trenches for rest, are billeted in the same village as Heptonstall. Among them is Sergeant Sydney Simmons. He sent some French field glasses home to his mother by Heptonstall. Amongst the lot in billets are Holland, Raper, Holgate, all of whom are well and in good spirits. Heptonstall saw his brother some time ago, accidentally. The brother belongs to the Oxford and Bucks Infantry, and was bringing horses to be shod. My visitor is a bright chap and was looking jolly and well. Of course he was glad to be home and particularly at Xmas time.

I think you boys would be pleased to know something of the feelings of the chaps who come home on leave. I was glad of one feature. I had Driver Schollitt, of Montpelier Square, in from the Front. He is on the MT. You know that is the last lot up to the firing line, or as near as the boys say, as a "toucher". He confided to me that though he was delighted to get home to his wife and children he was torn between two sentiments. He was sorry not to be with his pals at the Front at Xmas time. But then, of course, the wife and the children have the first claim and naturally his satisfaction at being home was immense. He arrived Xmas morning. Before the war Schollitt drove a cab and his stand was in Cold Bath Road. From this you may identify him. He looks exceedingly well, and deep within him is a big lump of satisfaction that he is able to do his bit. He has never had a day's illness and is better than he has been in his life. Schollitt confided to me that the people out where he has been, even in the villages that are very near the scenes of operations, seem to be a deal more cheerful than our folks at home. Schollitt met Tom Brown, son of Anthony Brown, of Harlow Terrace, and George H Beer is in his company. Schollitt was the first soldier to introduce me to the importance of hair clippers. I sent him out a pair a long time ago. His present clippers need repairs and they will take some time, so I am going to ask one of my readers to supply another pair of the No 3 size. I am glad my friend called to see me, because he has thrown a clearer light on that wonderful thing - comradeship. We hardly know what the real thing is at home. It manifests itself completely only in moments of danger and hardship. No wonder you chaps look so well and happy, and I realise more than ever that it is mainly due to spirit of comradeship that you are just what you are - men in the most bravest and generous sense. Whilst Schollitt was in, amongst the callers I received was Mrs McNichol. She has three boys at the Front. She is one of the real brave, motherly sort, full of just pride in her lads. They are all right, I am glad to say, so far, and I hope they will come back safe to her covered with well-won honours.

I had a letter from Mrs Allen on Friday saying that her son Norman Allen, who has been wounded, walked in most unexpectedly much to their delight. I had set the ball moving trying to get Norman into a Harrogate hospital. My thanks are due to Mr Titley, who received my request so sympathetically. I know well the Grand Duchess is most anxious to find room for Harrogate boys, so that they may be near their friends at home.

Another Xmas visitor was Private L Ambler, of the Mechanical Transport, who formerly lived at Knaresborough. he came home on Boxing Day for ten days' leave after being out 18 months. He has two reasons for thankfulness. He is married and he has never had a day's illness. He is son-in-law of Mrs Blackburn, Stonefall Avenue, who, by the way, has sons fighting for their country. Albert Blackburn is in Salonica, after being wounded in France; Harold Blackburn, wounded in France, is now in Egypt; and Norman Blackburn is also in Egypt. The latter was wounded at Neuve Chapelle. Ambler met Cosgrove, who was formerly employed at Wardman's Garage, and "Billy" Bell. These are the only two Harrogate boys he has come across. I was glad to hear from Ambler that you all still look forward with pleasurable anticipation to the arrival of your weekly Herald.

And now I want again to remind you that I shall be glad to hear of any boys who have not received Xmas presents through having no friends to send them. After settling the bill for the Oatlands Mount boys' parcels a nice sum remains in hand. I have talked the matter over with Mr J R Ogden, who was responsible for the movement for the Oatlands Mount boys, and he has agreed with me that it will be nice to reserve the balance to enable me to send out parcels to those who have been missed who come under the category I have described. If any balance remains after attending to that pleasurable duty it will be devoted to the Blind Soldiers' Fund.

I mentioned in my last that I had a certain number of comforts such as socks and other woollen things, and that I could spare a few. Of course, my first concern must be over the comforts of he boys of Harrogate and its district, though operations are by no means confined to them. Still they have the first claim and I must remember this in considering any other applications. A few of the boys in training here have written for things. I have despatched about a dozen lots, but cannot extend operations too much in this direction. The principle that every country and town should look after its own is a sound one, nevertheless I am always open to consider specially necessitous cases. In this I am sure of the sympathy and support of my generous readers.

And now, dear chaps, I want you to do me a favour. I am sure you will if it is possible. Lance Corporal R Wiggin, 13014, was wounded on December 13th. he had his left leg amputated above the left knee and is suffering from shrapnel wounds in the back and the shrapnel has perforated his chest. he is not on this side of the water, but presumably somewhere in France. He was at the 2nd Canadian Clearing Station, but left there on the 17th, and his friends at home are anxious because they cannot ascertain in which hospital he now is. I can assure you that they are not the ones who would rush off to endeavour to find that hospital without permission, so I see no reason why you should not let me know where he is if it is in your power to tell me. The wounds in the back and chest, I understand, have given much trouble. When his parents last heard of him his condition was still serious. I know you will make every effort to obtain the information. If you succeed, it will mitigate, to some extent, their anxiety.

It is Sunday morning and again I am at the Dictaphone. Before I was dressed I received the following telegram which was not sent out in time to appear in the Sunday morning papers, I put it in the window and have been telephoning the contents to our agents and the usual people in the Ripon Division. It reads : "Official - Entente reply to German Peace Note says Allied Governments refuse to consider proposal, which is empty, and insincere, and (our Allies) declare no peace is possible without reparation, recognition of the principle of nationalities and free existence of small states". This we received from the Press Association, which has looked after us so well. I am sure you will agree with these sentiments.

Yesterday (Saturday) Sergeant J A Atkinson, who you will remember won the DCM, looked in on me at my office. He is of the Machine Gun Corps, and the son of Alfred Atkinson, Corporation Baths Engineer. You will be sorry to learn that the father has been ill for a fortnight. He has had a slight stroke, from which, however, he is recovering. Sergeant Atkinson has been out for two years next April. I found him very well and quite cheerful. He had seen John Waddington, son of Mrs Waddington, Craven Street, and Deaden, whose nickname (and you know they all have such in the Army) is "Bodger". He worked for W B Atkinson, engineer, Tower Street. He has also seen Ben Archer, who got those socks he wanted all right. Atkinson's unit is that which contains so many Harrogate boys. My visitor has been well throughout, except for an attack of tonsillitis. he was to report in London Tuesday, that was the 2nd of January.

I have had a letter from Private Arthur Rushworth saying that he is coming on leave after New Year's Day. He will call to see me and have a little chat. he sends best wishes to his friends for a happy and prosperous New Year.

Private Frank Wood, RFA, son of Mr & Mrs George Wood, of High Harrogate, was one of the lads who gave his people a pleasant surprise on Boxing night, about 12. The family had no idea that he was coming on leave. It is the first he has had in 15 months. Frank hurt his knee some time back, and it is not much better now, but I fancy he is having such a good time at home that he hasn't opportunity for thinking about his knee. We have in our business a staff of clever, amiable young ladies, who are a great comfort and help in extricating us from the many troubles and anxieties of our complicated work. They all occupy responsible positions, and none more so than Wood's sister; but then our staff from top to bottom, through every department, is so amiable and sympathetic that business is a pleasure.

Some of you may remember Mr Watson, our news proof reader. He lives in Cecil Street. I am sorry to say that he has had a trying spell of illness, but is now up and come back to duty. We missed him as we do every individual colleague who happens to be away. It is not always in a business sense that we miss them, we feel the void in comradeship. You know what that means. You experience it even when you come home on furlough and leave the rest behind. Life would indeed be all drudgery without this transcending spirit.

It is exceedingly mild, quiet, and slightly dull this morning. There are not many people about, probably because the churches have not released the worshippers. There will soon be a rush to our office window to see the latest news. When the congregation are on their way home, people go a long way round to see the intelligence in the window. There was quite a gale last night and a chorus of conflicting noises. It reminded me of some of the modern orchestration and choral writings - no melodious solace - just incoherent conflict of warring sounds.

To J Jenkinson : Send us your full address so that I may forward you the mouth organ you ask for.

Today (Tuesday), Sergeant Fred Harrison walked in. He is fresh from Malta, sent home on account of an illness from which he has now recovered. He has not quite had a pleasure picnic. He next move will be to report to York, and then it will be home service for him. He is not as young as some of the other boys and has had a long spell, so home duty will fit his case exactly. Harrison is very breezy and jolly. While he stayed with me I enjoyed a rarefied atmosphere. He came home in one of our finest steamers; but for obvious reasons I do not give the name. You may estimate the capacity of the ship when I tell you that they took eight hospital ship loads on their steamer, and there was still room. Harrison's home address is 26 Cromwell Road, Oatlands Mount. When he mentioned the pals he has lost his breeziness vanished. He spoke of Turner, son of Turner, engineer at the Royal Baths; and of Dick Dunwell, stage carpenter at the Opera House. He was much concerned to hear that G Carrick had been wounded. One of the officers of his company is Second Lieutenant Nussey, son of Mr Nussey, of Arkendale Hall. Whilst in Malta, Harrison received his Herald regularly, and he told me that it was in great demand amongst mote than the Harrogate boys. One paper he received late. It had been at the bottom of the sea; but he was able to read it all right.

When Harrison walked in he found Norman Allen seated in my office. The latter had just called to see me for the first time since his removal to a Harrogate hospital. I didn't expect Allen so soon, because his mother had written that he was coming to see me as soon as he was able to get down the hill. I had a nice chat with the lad and showed him how the dictaphone worked. I let him hear the opening of this letter on the machine. He was touched with wonderment - not about my writing, but the machine. Norman was so full of admiration for the Grand Duchess' St George's Convalescent Home, where he now is, he could hardly find words to express what he felt; but his face and voice told me more than words could convey.

I shall be glad if any of you lads will tell me Driver Edward Megginson's address. He left a base hospital to go up the fighting line with a fresh battery. His mother is anxious to hear from him, because his letters and parcels have been returned.

I shall be glad to hear if any of you boys will tell me the name or names of soldiers at the Front who have no parents or relatives to write or send parcels to them.

W H Breare