Harrogate Herald - 14th February 1917

To Our Boys on Service

Dear Chaps,

Minute calculations are going on in the households at home touching the weight of food we are to consume. These are confined to bread, beef, and sugar. The smaller families are rather handicapped by the new regulations. A family of two has to look round corners and carefully consider how eight pounds of bread, five of meat. 1.5 of sugar, where tastes differ, can be made to pan out. One member of he family may require to eat more meat or bread than another, and the regulation weight may be insufficient. In the larger families the question of average consumption applies. But in the case of two or three the average is narrowed by limited numbers. Most families are having their meatless days. There is no real alarm or uneasiness over the new suggestions. We had our meatless day on Thursday. You will be interested to know how we managed. The first course was cod's roe. This, you know, does not count as meat. The second course consisted of roast potatoes touched up with a little butter and salt; the third was a boiled suet pudding containing preserves. Not so bad, was it?

On Sunday an illustrated paper had a cartoon re the food regulations, suggesting scales to weigh customers of restaurants before and after meals. Years ago when I was a corner man in the old Harrogate Amateur Minstrels the weighing idea was the theme of one of those tales, mostly American, and all nigger, bones, and tambourine tell. It was of an eating house where customers were weighed and paid by weight. On the first visit the diner paid heavily for his appetite. The second occasion he had weighted his pockets, so jumped on the scales with confidence. He then partook of a weighty dinner, and at its close emptied his pockets under the table. On leaving he again jumped on the scales, and was duly weighed. Result : the proprietor owed him one dollar and fifteen cents.

We find good farm butter rather scarce right now. Our supply from Mr Whitley, of Darley, has always been plentiful and very good. But since the labour problem has come in Mr Whitley has felt obliged to dispose of some of his cows because he had no help to milk them. There are many other similar cases, I have no doubt, and they should be a warning to the authorities not to quite denude the farms of manual labour. I wouldn't say a word against the ladies, bless them, but they are not always an unequivocal success in new occupations. I have noticed that the dear souls cannot work under high pressure unless their tongues are going at similar speed and power. Well, in farm work they are scattered over a considerable area, and the dear things can only talk to themselves, and that doesn't count. If there is a gate handy I am told that there are frequent conferences and rest periods to relieve overstrained muscles and restricted tongues. But the girls do their best in accordance with their training and conditions.

There is some shortage of labour in other spheres. We have experienced this very much of late in our work. You see, the young ones have left us, and the responsibility weighs somewhat heavily upon the older who are left . We have been as late as four o'clock before the papers have been worked off. We have had a frank hint that our men cannot do more than two late nights in the week. It is only fair to explain that when a man works as late as I have suggested, say, on a Tuesday or Friday night, he does not work the nest morning. Well, we do not want to overtax our people, but when our expensive machines have to stand idle through want of hands it creates a very grave problem. For us to lose something like forty hands is coming very near paralysis. Mr Lloyd George has classes the first three national requirements as follows : First, munitions; Second, the food of the people; third, the newspapers, and the Government has backed him in this view. At the Newcastle Tribunal on Friday a newspaper stereotyper engaged on a Newcastle paper sought exemption. You will wonder what a stereotyper is. I will tell you. The type is set either by hand or linotype machines. When the newspaper page is set up in type it is flat. A mould of each is taken on specially prepared paper, and the result is a matrix or mould of the page. This is placed in a rounded steel contrivance and molten type metal poured on to make a curved cast to fit the cylinders of the printing presses. The stereotyper is indispensable to a newspaper.

At this tribunal in Newcastle the Military Representative concurred in the man's exemption. A member who didn't understand things, objected, whereupon the Military Representative said he "had instructions from the War Office to do nothing which would stop newspapers. They were doing valuable work of national importance to this country". To the objector the Military Representative further said - "Don't forget the work now being done by the Press in connection with the War Loan, which is mostly free advertising". Two months was granted with leave to apply again.

A large number of non-commissioned officers are coming from the Front on a month's leave preparatory to entering Officers' Training Corps, and receiving a commission. A number of Harrogate boys have this prospect in view. I mentioned one last week. I have another, viz., Corporal A E Garnett. He went out in March, 1915, was wounded in an advance, and reported missing, but at that time he was already in hospital. Garnett has seen Reff Laycock, who is at Brigade Headquarters using his pen to some effect. Captain Freeman, of Bilton Court, [Son of ? Walter Freeman, JP, Bilton Court, Wetherby Lane] went out at the same time as Corporal Garnett. My visitor before the war was manager for the West Riding Dairy Company in Station Parade. Tom Spencer of Spencer Brothers, fruiterers, Cambridge Street, was one of Garnett's comrades, and my visitor left his Herald with Spencer when he came away. Garnett will not need one for some time, so I am going to send it to Tom Spencer as soon as I obtain his full address. I am sure Spencer will think it much better to have a Herald all his own and directed to him rather than to inherit the one which has come in Garnett's name.

Corporal B Joy looked in on Thursday. If you remember, he lost his thumb, parts of fingers of the left hand, and was invalided home. He will receive his discharge tomorrow (Wednesday). His brother Jack Joy is in the Army and in France. B Joy looks very well, and takes his disqualification philosophically, though, as he says, when he was sent home he felt as though he had "got the sack". He is the son of Ben Joy, [Ben Joy & Son, leather and grindery dealers, Union Street, with residence at 27 St Mary's Walk] whom most of you will know very well, and was working at Stokes and Peel's before the war. Joy will get on all right. He has good spirits, plenty of activity, and will find a useful sphere for himself under his changed conditions.

Last Thursday, after the prolonged cold snap, a genuine thaw came. The Stray looked very black in places, and the streets were of a sombre shade. There has been frost most nights, but not quite so keen as usual. So you see w are still edging towards spring. I am talking to you on Friday, therefore I shall have to tell you of any notable developments in the weather later.

We are to have another Board in Harrogate - a man-power, substitution Board. Their duties will be to fit square men into square holes, and the round chaps into round apertures. As you will observe, we are pretty well bored at home. I don't often pun. Excuse me this time. But pun my word I couldn't resist it.

One hundred thousand meetings are being held today to advance the War Loan. Harrogate is moving in this direction, but without a public meeting. The town is pretty well mapped out into sub-committee districts to push up the 15s 6d War Loan Certificates. Mr Topham, [Walter Topham, solicitor and commissioner for oaths, 13 James Street : Residing at 5 Alderson Road] solicitor, and Mr Sergeant, of James Street, the two honorary secretaries, have stirred things up well. With regard to the bigger stock, every one is asked to consider what his profits will be for the next year or two, and invest them in Government Loan. Rather a speculation, isn't it, in these times, to say what one is going to make?

A very good insurance scheme is afloat. For a small preliminary fee, followed by annual payments, £100 War Loan Stock or multiples of 100 can be secured on the instalment system. The plan is very useful for those who have not the ready by them. The periods of payment are spread over 5, 10, and 15 years. The gross payment over the periods will work out at £83 10s for each £100. Of course, there is such a thing as interest, which apparently does the business. The wealth of this country, evidenced by the subscriptions of companies and private individuals, is something enormous. We have got into the habit of thinking in millions and hundreds of thousands until we have almost forgotten what a simple "fiver" means.

The German submarines are at work, and their methods are dirtier than ever. You can just back the Navy. You here what the U-boats are doing, but the work of the Navy is silent. The Government does not publish the number of submarines that have been sunk by our sailors. Doubtless they have a very good reason for not doing so. And I can imagine one of them. Don't worry about the results of this new move. Our seamen are not slumbering. If I could tell you what I know about combating the submarine peril you would grin with satisfaction. But, you see, I cannot. For a time you must be prepared for serious losses and acute irritations. But there can only be one end to it all, and the navy will be there - looking about to see if there are any more odd jobs.

Last week in "Gossip", I called attention to a case of objectionable language to recruits training in Harrogate. I am delighted to see a great improvement in this direction. In fact, there is a better tone and manner prevailing. This is as it should be. I am sure all concerned are far happier for it. As to the work of the men in training it is simply splendid. They are trying hard and succeeding. When it comes to the click of the heels it is one unbroken sound. Very smart. There is a right way and a wrong way of attempting to get the best out of men, and as in goods, the best pays best.

I am sorry to say that Fred Allen, who has had such a tough time with his wounds (not Allen, of Cathcart House, you know the one I mean) is not quite well enough to be moved to Harrogate. I hope, though, it will not be long before he is quite strong enough and fit enough to be moved, and then enjoy the comforts of one of our Harrogate hospitals.

The children had a good time tobogganing during the snow. The police, however, had to stop the sport on the important roads, because it became dangerous to those who were sliding and those who met the sleds. You will notice that a case was before the Bench last Tuesday by way of warning. It was dismissed on payment of costs. You know Victoria Road; it is just opposite our office, and runs behind Beech Grove. There is a steep hill up to the road from St Mary's Walk. I saw one military horse go down the other day, and a string of them had much difficulty in getting up, because there had been so much sledging on that road. So, you see, there was need of the warning. There are plenty of places the children can go to where there would be no danger to anyone.

Private H V Hanson, RAMC, has just this moment left me. He came in as I was Dictaphoning to you boys. He doesn't look very well. He has had a nervous breakdown, and is home on sick leave. In that affair when a certain clearing station was bombed by an enemy aeroplane he received a bad shock. Perhaps you will remember that a nurse was severely injured in the leg at the same time. The bomb dropped squarely on the clearing station. Before the war Hanson had been in the newspaper business some years. He was a proof reader on the Manchester Guardian, and was on the Birmingham Post. He had to give up this work on account of his eyesight. From July 1st, all through the Somme push, he was working close to the line. I enquired what Harrogate boys he had seen, and was told he met Private Lund, RAMC, at the base, had seen Frank Beale from the Baths, and Enderby, who was in the Harrogate Post Office, and subsequently transferred to Durham. Morris is in the same unit as Hanson, who is now at 12th Stationary Hospital.

I have no doubt you will remember Mr Houseman - Inspector Houseman, as he was called - who had charge of the hackney carriages of the borough. You will remember him. Tall, straight, hair almost white. His good widow [Maybe, Mrs J Houseman, Gowan Lea, 55 King's Road] is one of my most helpful workers in the matter of knitting socks. Two soldiers this week have acknowledged the receipt of her gifts. Her parcels of socks reach me regularly, and at such short intervals I cannot imagine how she manages to get through it all. Inspector Houseman was in the Army for 21 years, and I believe most of the time he had the company of his wife. For instance, they spent twelve years in India, and were nine years on the staff. You will be interested to hear that Mrs Houseman knew Sir William Robertson, our great military chief, when he was a private.

Some of you boys will receive socks from Mrs Whewell, [Probably of Hazlewood, 6 St Mark's Avenue] who has been so sympathetic towards the lads in the matter of their little comforts. I want to tell you of a nice arrangement existing at her home. Mrs Whewell herself cannot well knit, but her maid is very clever at it, and enjoys doing this work, knowing that it is going to be so much use to you chaps. Well, Mrs Whewell pays for the wool, and the maid knits them industriously - one a night, I believe. There are many other cases of pleasant co-operation. I wish I could tell you of them all, but from time to time I may be able to give you others. I am so grateful to all these kind workers, I want you to know what they are doing.

I have just stopped to have a word with Councillor Webster, [Herbert Webster, 2 Granby Terrace] who has looked in on me this morning. I am pleased to hear from him that he and his committee have been very busy and very successful in looking up allotments where vegetables may be grown. I am also gratified to hear that pig-keeping, so long as the animals are maintained under clean conditions, is to be permitted in Harrogate. Councillor's main purpose in calling to see me was to say that he would like to send Whittall, who asked me for the sea-boot stockings, what he requires. I have undertaken to find out where they cane be got, obtain them, and Councillor Webster is going to pay the cost. He asked me if I wanted anything in particular besides the socks. I was in the happy position that I could not mention anything. But I know I can rely on him in case of emergency.

Another thing : I am sure you will be interested to know how Harrogate is subscribing to the War Loan. If I can possibly manage it I am going to ascertain the extent to which some of our well-know townspeople have helped this great national effort. I can already tell you that the Mayor has given a big lead, but I will reserve the amount until I have obtained a few more examples. I do not think, however, that I shall be disposed to tell you what my modest contribution was. I may confess that our business is a big one, and addicted to drinking - yes, fairly drinking - capital. As you know, you can't keep a place in the front rank if you don't find the necessary means to keep up the pace. The Government are most anxious for a large number of contributors of small amounts to the loan, so it may be clearly demonstrated that everybody is taking a hand in accordance with his or her means. There is national pride over every single individual who takes even one 15s 6d War Loan Certificate, providing it represents the extent of that individual's means.

I want to tell you about a Harrogate boy you know very well by sight if not by name. He is only a little 'un. Lieutenant J A Groves is of a Yorkshire Regiment. He was in the Sulva Bay campaign, Egypt, Suez Canal, and also fought through the Somme. He has seen what few of our brave soldiers have experienced and come out alive. On December 19th, 1916, he was wounded - septic wound in the ankle and muscles of his heart strained. Both took place at Beaumont Hamel. He is now in Somerville Hospital, Oxford. This is one of those cases which have brought home to us the fact that bulk of body is not everything. May his recovery be speedy.

I daresay you have many a time been to the Star Hotel, Ripley, for afternoon tea when you have been cycling that way. Well, the son of the proprietor, Mr Tom Smailes, has been promoted to first airman. The boy's name is George Smailes.

We had an interesting little ceremony on the Stray on Saturday. In the absence of Major General S H Kelly, Brigadier General H H Butler presented the Meritorious Service Medal to Corporal E D P Hardy, who was on leave, and the Military Medal to Private Trowsdale, both of Harrogate. There was quite a cheery gathering, which included the Mayor and Town Clerk. His Worship presented Trowsdale with a box of cigarettes containing a hundred, and had a similar box for Corporal Hardy, but he missed the latter, and so has sent the cigarettes to me to forward them. I have just received the box, and will despatch as soon as I ascertain his address.

The general public do not know much about military regulations, consequently the other day, when a long line of troops was passing along one of our streets, and old gentleman rather persistently tried to get through the line in order to cross. A captain very tactfully put up his hand and stayed him. At first, the gentleman did not seem satisfied or to understand. Another case occurred in front of our building. A young lady attempted to do the same thing, but again an officer stayed her. Of curse you know what the general public do not know - that there is a military law inflicting a substantial penalty when anyone disorganises troops under such circumstances.

Sapper Seaman T Whittall wrote me for some sea-boot stockings. I asked for them last Wednesday. I was rather mystified, as I didn't know what they were; but Councillor Webster called in to say that he would pay for the stockings if I would order them. That was Friday. On Saturday I received a pair from Mrs H P Plummer, of Glenholme, Durham Road, Gateshead. I was much delighted at the lady's generosity, and I shall order a second pair on behalf of Councillor Webster. So the boy will have one to wear and another for changing.

Private B Thorpe is one of my boys in a double sense, for he has worked with us for years, and only left us to enlist. He arrived in Leeds last Monday, and had to stay all night there, coming home by mail train on Tuesday. It is 14 months since he had his last leave. You will remember that he had a slight shrapnel wound just before Thiepval. he is now an orderly at Brigade Headquarters, consequently he doesn't see so many of our lads. He did come across Rogers, another of our staff, who presided at the despatch office which is attached to our works. Rogers is now battalion orderly, and Roland Alderson is likewise corporal in an orderly room. Thorpe has also seen Robinson, son of Mr Robinson, plumber; Ben Thorpe tells me it has been very cold out at the Front. He saw for the first time, eggs frozen. Thorpe was full of just pride when he told me what our West Yorks lads did on September 25th. It was a memorable and proud day for them, for the Corps Commander came and thanked them in no measured terms. You know what Thiepval was, what a hard nut to crack. Percy Raworth, who is in one of the Tanks, was near them when they went over on that occasion. Ben's experience the other side, on his way home, was not very encouraging. It took him nine hours to travel 14 miles, and that in an open luggage van. It must have seemed to him, what with the slow train and the wait at Leeds, "A long, king way to" - not Tipperary, but Harrogate. You must know that Ben has all the instincts of a printer. They have an alert eye for a poster or anything that emanates from a printing office. Ben was very near the firing line one day, actually going to it, when he saw a poster. He walked up and read it. It was an announcement that the Tykes would give an entertainment in that locality. When his eye reached the bottom of the bill, Ben saw in plain letters the imprint "R Ackrill, Printer, Harrogate". Walter Ogden, [1 Torrs Road] whom you know as a clever comedian, is a prominent man in our bill department. He is a brother to Mr J R Ogden. [James R Ogden, The Little Diamond Shop, 38 James Street. Residence : The Bungalow, Lead Hall Lane] When Walter Ogden set up that bill he couldn't have thought it would ever have reached the firing line.

Before now you have heard me speak of the seven Harrogate boys all in one regiment. I had one of them in on Saturday. It was Private H Crossley, of the RAMC. He is the son of Mrs John Crossley, of 6 Waterloo Street, and was on sick leave. He is now medically unfit, but is working at the permanent base. He is one of the seven of the 6th Dragoon Guards. Others whose names you will know are Allardyce, Smith, and Andrew Beer. These boys are all regulars. Crossley was transferred to the RAMC when he became unfit. He wants to ascertain Harry Matson's address. Can anybody tell him? Crossley enlisted November 14th, 1910, was five years with the Cavalry, then transferred to RAMC. Left Alexandria 15th January for Havre. He collected wounded there and took them to Ireland. Amongst them were Harrogate lads. A pity these could not have come to Harrogate hospitals, isn't it? Crossley's period of service in the Regular Army expires November 14th of this year. I hope, and believe, the war will be over by then.

Private L Trowsdale, who was presented with the Military Medal on Saturday, has just been in to see me to explain how sorry he feels that all the other boys of the gun team did not get a medal - particularly o comrade he calls "Ginger" Booth, of York. He would like the boys to know that he looks upon the award as simply given to him as representative of his gun team. Trowsdale tells me there are thousands of brave deeds done that do not happen to come under the official eye, and there is no award.

Should it come to actual war between the United States and the Central Powers, and conscription is eventually adopted, it will not be for the first time. It arose during the war between the North and South, and was not universal conscription, but what was called drafting". Certain names were pricked for service. If the selected men desired to evade fighting they were permitted to pay other men to go as substitutes. Volunteers were granted by the State money gifts, termed bounties. As shortage of men became more acute the bounties represented larger and larger sums, until drafting was put into force.

To Fred Holdsworth : Your wife wishes me to say that she and the child are in the best of health, and writes twice a week.

W H Breare