Harrogate Herald - 16th May 1917
To Our Boys on Service
Dear Chaps,
We had a military funeral in Harrogate, yesterday,
of a soldier you may know, whose death occurred under unusual
circumstances. Private A E Hart, of Mayfield Terrace, joined the MT,
ASC, in January of this year. He was in training somewhere in the
South. At 6 o'clock on Saturday morning a policeman in the
North-Eastern Station at Leeds found him very ill, and immediately
sent for a doctor. The soldier died shortly after the physician
came. Hart had been granted leave, and reached Leeds on his way home
early in the morning, and was waiting for the Harrogate train. An
inquest was later held in Leeds, and the medical evidence showed
that he died from coma-pneumonia followed by pleurisy -
"natural causes". For sixteen years the lad worked for the
Harrogate Gas Company, and twenty years was a member of the
Harrogate Temperance Band. He leaves a wife, two children, and a
mother. Prior to him coming on leave the wife had a letter from her
husband saying he expected to be home by the last train from Leeds
on Friday. at 2pm on Saturday she received a telegram stating that
the husband had died suddenly at Leeds Railway Station. Hart was one
of those men whom everybody regarded with esteem. He was 37 years of
age. I am sorry to say the good wife will be under the necessity of
working to bring up her children. I hope, however, that assistance
will be forthcoming from the Government, and that the path of the
bereaved family may be smooth. That remains to be seen. The mother
is not in a position to help, I think, as she has to work for her
living. You will probably find in the Herald, today, a picture of Hart, which may call him to your mind, if your memories have not
already done so.
We have a good friend in Boulogne, who is most
willing to visit any Harrogate and district soldiers who may be in
hospital there. If my readers will let me know the names and
addresses of such, I will forward them to the friend in question.
It is only Thursday, and I have commenced your
letter. I was obliged to do so, because I go away next Monday, and
must see my "stuff" in type before I go. We have been
wanting rain for the allotment gardens and the farmers very badly
for some days. I am glad to say as I write a gentle shower is
falling. It commenced this morning about 8 o'clock with just a few
drops, then there was a lull, but now it looks a little more like a
real rain. I hope it may be a fairly copious one, because it means
to agriculture, and that in turn signified better harvest and more
food for the people.
The young wife of the airman who was lost in the
river at Knaresborough, not far from the 200 yards firing point of
the Knaresborough Volunteers, and close to Birkham Wood, stopped in
Harrogate ever since that distressing accident. Each day she spent
hours walking along the riverside in hopes of discovering the form
of her beloved husband. Every effort has been made to drag the river
and recover the body, but with no avail. You will probably have seen
last week that the remains have been found. The long vigil of the
wife was at length rewarded, for she it was who discovered the body
floating in the Nidd.
You Harrogate lads, when at home, have doubtless
noticed the flower sellers at the Sulphur Well and in James Street.
You will probably know by sight Patsy Donovan's wife, who carried on
quite a business in this line. You will also have seen a man
assisting her. His name was J W Dixon. He enlisted in July, 1915.
well, he is now a soldier, and has been attacked in the Front by
trench feet. At first in hospital in France, he was next transferred
to London. He arrived home on Wednesday at 3 o'clock, and
immediately came to see me. He still has a bit of a limp, and
doesn't look so very strong. Moreover, he is 46 years of age, so I
should imagine that he is likely to be given a lighter job, possibly
at home. With him out in France was Sergeant-Major Horner, Sergeant
Cole, and Sergeant Jackson, all of whom he talked to me about. His
leave is for ten days; after that he will probably have to report to
his depot. I often wonder how these lads do who are discharged from
hospital. You know, they get no pay whilst there; it is deferred,
and they have to wait until it is sent to them. I questioned Dixon
on this point, and found that he had not the ready cash. However, I
was able to tide him over until he received his arrears of pay. Mind
you, the man did not ask me for any assistance at all. I suspected
how it would be, and drew the facts from him. Dixon is a single man
and on his own resources. I hope he will soon get strong again, for,
as you know, trench feet are troublesome things. It speaks well for
him at this age he should have volunteered for service. I can assure
you he had gone through a good deal, for I have seen the list of
affairs that he has been in. I had forgotten that he had only just
then come in by train, so when I asked him if Harrogate didn't look
nice, he smiled and replied that he "hadn't seen much of it, so
far". I hope he will see a good deal of it, and derive comfort
and enjoyment from being at home, even for ten days.
You boys know that the Germans are very downy birds.
They are up to another adroit move, which, I think, we all ought to
be able to understand. The motive undoubtedly is to frighten our
people at home, in order that they will cry out for the peace which
the Germans are so longing for. To me, it is evident, it is a case
of German frightfulness intended to frighten us at home into doing
something that we should never think of doing, and that is, cry out
for peace before the time. A Harrogate gentleman, who is in a large
way of business in Leeds, received a letter from two of his old
employees giving a pitiful tale of their treatment by the Germans,
pointing out that they have been put into the fire zone, and are
threatened by our own guns. They complain of shortness of food and
other sufferings. They ask their old employer to make the state of
their case known, and to use his personal influence to have this
treatment stopped. They say the Germans explain their action towards
these men by calling it retaliation, because, as the Huns say, their
prisoners are put in our firing zone - which we all know to be
untrue.
This is the letter : "I am taking the liberty
of writing to you on behalf of myself and companion, who are two of
your old employees, and my other comrades, who are now
prisoners-of-war, to ask your help. We are very badly treated,
having very little food, and practically no bed to lie on, and we
are given to understand that this state of things is due to our
Government not replying to a request by the German Government to
remove German prisoners out of the fire zone. They have put us
within range of our own guns, and have given us nothing in the way
of clothing. Half of the fellows are very poorly clad. We have only
had one drink of coffee, and nothing to eat for 36 hours, and the
weather here is very cold, snow having fallen nearly the whole of
today (March 27th). We would like to ask you to make this state of
affairs public, so that it may be remedied, and to ask you for your
personal help in this urgent matter".
This letter appeared in Wednesday's "Yorkshire
Evening Post". I heard of it today (Thursday). Not long after I
received the following letter sent by another British prisoner in
Germany to his Harrogate sister. In that letter the writer says :
"I am sorry to say I am in Russia, near the firing zone, and
likely to remain until our government removes German prisoners from
our firing zones".
It is rather singular that two such complaints
should be allowed to come through with German permission, because,
of course, they would not be sent without. The Huns do nothing
without an ulterior purpose. Do you doubt now what that purpose is?
If these two letters have come through it is highly probable that
many others in a similar strain have reached our country.
No doubt both these writers have been instructed
what to say. The request for publication looks decidedly suspicious.
If these tales are spread about they may have their effect upon
kind-hearted people who do not see in them their real purpose. By
that means, it is conceivable some of the weaker of our people might
cry out for peace at all costs. It is remarkable that the second
letter, so far as I can see, does not bear the address of a town
near the Russian front. British prisoners in Germany who write these
letters do not know or see through the German game. As for the
German-made charge against our authorities, we at home often read of
how on finding the German prisoners were within the range of fire
our people have hurried them away to a safe distance. No! depend
upon it this is no grievance that the Germans want redressing. They
want peace, and it is that desire which is prompting them to
broadcast this story of their frightfulness.
We have a linotype machine standing idle, because we
have lost the man who worked it before he was called up for the
Army. That same man is now Gunner W Wiley, of the RGA, stationed
with a battery in Scotland. He went there after a fortnight at
Ripon. Wiley came in to see me this morning, and I was glad to hear
him say he was "never better" and enjoying the life. His
comrades include H Gill, who was formerly employed at Mr A
Preston's
picture frame shop in Oxford Street; A Bell, of New Park, who worked
at Standing's; and Wood, Oatlands Mount, formerly employed at the
Post Office, West Park; Robson, another Harrogate lad, was with
Wiley in another battery. Wiley's military experience has certainly
improved his physical appearance. He is as straight as a die, and
looks the picture of health. It is gratifying when the boys take to
it like that, isn't it? his linotype machine is still idle, for it
is impossible to get a new hand. That machine standing idle is
costing us £300 a year; still we do not grumble. We have all to do
our bit, in our various ways.
You will see in the Gossip today a nice idea which
concerns you boys closely. Mr Rickinson, of Spencer House,
Devonshire Place, spent lat year £10 in flowers for his front
garden. Instead of doing that this year he has sent me a cheque for
the amount to supply such wants of you boys as I may think most
pressing. He has left it to my discretion. You sportsmen,
particularly in football, will know Mr Rickinson by repute, for he
has been a liberal and consistent supporter of this and other sports
throughout his residence in Harrogate. I am indebted to him, to his
good wife and daughter, for much help in providing things required
by you lads. They have helped to make my work easy and joyous. When
anyone sends me anything for you, I am a deal happier than if
someone should happen to have given me a handsome present for
myself. From this you will gather how much pleasure I get out of the
little things I try to do.
You will be glad to see that George Carrick is
recovering nicely from his wounds. It is a long time since another
of the Carricks came fresh from Canada to see me. I never thought as
we chatted so pleasantly that it would be the last time that I
should see that boy, but perhaps you will remember he fell in
action, giving his all to his country. I am glad he came to see me,
for his memory will dwell with me always. You see, I knew his mother
from girlhood, therefore I have further cause to remember her dear
son.
There was another letter in the "Yorkshire
Post" from a British prisoner in Germany, relating the same
story to which I have referred in a paragraph above. So, you see my
suspicion that there will be many such letters in the country seems
to be well founded.
One London paper the other day had a head-line
saying, "No more rope for Tino". Another London paper
asks, "Why on earth shouldn't the traitor be allowed to get his
desserts?".
For fear you haven't had the information, I must
tell you that the mayor and Mayoress have done splendid work for our
local charities.. for instance, the Infirmary was in debt to the
extent of £3,000. they raised over £4,000 to clear off the
deficit, and leave something in hand. Lately they have raised over
£1,200 to clear off a debt of £1,000 on the Yorkshire Home for
Incurables, which, as you know, perhaps, is situated in Cornwall
Road. They have done something more than this for the Home. They
have induced many people at a distance as well as in Harrogate to
become annual subscribers.
I dare say rumours have reached you about German
prisoners passing through Harrogate, and being met at the station by
women with refreshments. The report passed from ear to ear, and
excited considerable indignation. I want to give you the explanation
of that story in defence of the patriotism of our townspeople. The
refreshments these prisoners had were paid for by themselves and
ordered in advance. The women who took the refreshments to the
prisoners were from the station refreshment room. So, you see, when
we come to know the facts we find that there has been no occasion
for indignation. We have heard another story just as capable of
explanation, but I will not repeat it. I may say, however, it was
reported that prisoners in interment camps were having potatoes,
whilst the general public were going without. This too, is
incorrect. The responsible authorities are not quite so weak and
foolish as some people are inclined to believe.
News paper has gone up three farthings [A farthing
was a quarter of 1d. There were 240d to £1. Therefore 1 farthing
was 1/960th of a £1] a pound in price. The shortage is no less.
While I have been Dictaphoning it is Sunday morning.
During the night we had more rain and in larger quantities. The sun
is out now, nice and warm. I should think nothing could be better
than these weather conditions for growing crops.
I have just received a "blind man's
postcard", otherwise field card, and the sender has forgotten
to cross out any of the lines. There they all remain, contradicting
each other. If you want to see the effect of this, just look at one
of those blank cards, and imagine us receiving one. This is how it
reads : "I am quite well. I have been admitted to hospital.
Sick and am going on well. Wounded and hope to be discharged soon. I
am being sent down to the base. I have received your letter,
telegram, parcel. Letter follows at the first opportunity. I have
received no letter from you lately, for a long time". Such
information tales sorting out, doesn't it?
Just before leaving Stanley Laycock. Of RNAS, gave
me a call. He is the younger son of the late Mr T and Mrs
Laycock,
of Harrogate. There was a tinge of sadness in his visit, as he had
been brought home by the death of his uncle, who passed away on
Sunday morning at 7 o'clock. Stanley's brother, Reff
Laycock, it will be
remembered, was over from France a short while ago, and was unable
to get leave again. Stanley is engaged in chasing German submarines,
having joined the Navy for four years since the war began, and has
nearly finished two years service. He joined up with young Dixon,
son of Mr F W Dixon, the ex-Borough Waterworks Engineer. Stanley has
the bright and breezy air characteristic of the sailor, and looks
remarkably well.
Mr Wharton, of 7 Duncan Street, New Park, has had a
letter from Acting CSM W E Rathke, informing him that his son,
Sergeant O Wharton, failed to answer the roll call after recent
operations in France, and fears he has been taken prisoner. If any
of you boys can give Mr Wharton any further information he will be
much relieved. A letter in another column tells how he was missed.
Many of you boys in your letters have enquired about
or referred to the Valley Gardens. Only this (Monday) morning one
correspondent did so. Well, you will be pleased to hear that
Alderman Binns is keeping up our town's reputation by having them as
smart and trim as ever. Just now the flower beds are a mass of
bloom, daffodils and tulips of every hue are making a fine show in
the ornamental portions, whilst the wallflowers have withstood the
severe weather better than in any other part of the town, and will
soon be in full bloom and diffusing their sweet fragrance. The Stray
is verdant and beautiful after a thunderstorm last night, the trees
that fringe it are bursting into leaf, and another week or so will
bring us to the period when I consider Harrogate at its best - the
trees in full fresh leaf.
I have had another case brought to me for
investigation. It is that of Private William Pickard (West Yorks),
who has been wounded. He wrote his parents at Cheltenham Mount,
Harrogate, telling them to send his letters, etc., to the battalion,
and they would be forwarded. Unfortunately, they have all been
returned with the statement that they are unable to trace him. If
any of you boys by this paragraph or his photo in our picture page
can place him and let his parents
Still another request for information. Private J
Stewart (West Yorks) was wounded on April 23rd, but no locality is
stated. Mrs Stewart, 34 Studley Road, Harrogate, would be grateful
for any information about her husband.
You boys will be just as pleased to read the
following telegram as I was : "Harrogate Herald 12.15pm.
British Naval Forces destroyed Zeppelin L22 in the North Sea this
morning - PA".
Mrs Frank Sawbridge, whose husband, I regret to say,
has fallen in action, would be glad to hear any particulars how he
met his death, as none have reached her. A letter from any of his
comrades, who saw him fall of know anything about his death,
addressed to Mrs Frank Sawbridge, c/o Mr Webster, Kirk Hammerton,
near York, would be most welcome.
Monday morning. Now I have finished, and am off to
catch the 11 o'clock train. Farewell till next Sunday.
W H Breare
