Harrogate Herald - 23rd May 1917

To Our Boys on Service

Dear Chaps,

It is Sunday morning, and I am back in my "dugout". I use the term advisedly. You will remember that it is not excessively tidy. When I looked in last night on my return I was taken by surprise. Hornsey, who is neat in all things, had tidied up. The transformation was dazzling. Piles of letters were awaiting me, and I just dug deep into them, but have about finished. My wife and I had a pleasant week at Cambridge, though I had to return to London on business on Tuesday, but got back, however, the same day. The rest of the week I was at liberty to do as we liked. The University town of Cambridge is a wonderfully interesting study. What struck me first was the immense number of bikes. Everyone seems to have them, and wherever you go, business establishments and everywhere, you find them stacked in scores. At the colleges they have accommodation for hundreds. The first impressions of Cambridge are not so very impressive, but the place grows on one. You move along an uninteresting street and see frontages not unlike barracks. Pass through the gates and you are in beautiful old-world courts, surrounded by classic buildings that carry you back centuries. Whenever you go you meet with this surprise. If you can call to mind particularly impressive pictures of Cathedrals and classic buildings you will realise what Cambridge is when I say that there are scores dumped here and there in the most unlikely places. As I suggested, the exterior is nothing, but go within and one traverses many of them fringing what is called "The Backs" - beautiful lawns, the river where boats are constantly passing. There are very few students now, and what there are consist mainly of Orientals, the darker complexions predominant. But these men have wonderful rays if intelligence glowing in countenance of intellectuality. Go through these open spaces and there one is in the midst of cadets training to be officers.

A letter informed me that George Simpson, son of Mr and Mrs David Simpson, of Harrogate, was at an officers' school there. As luck would have it, he was billeted at Emmanuel College, just opposite the hotel "Ye Old Castle" where we were stopping. I did not learn that he was there until the Friday. that day he was out on shooting practice, but we met him at about five o'clock and arranged that he should spend part of the evening with us, which he did. He is very well and delighted with Cambridge. He says he is having the time of his life.

Some of you will remember Mr Clarkson, who, at one time, kept the Somerset Hotel. We were walking along a street one day, when someone pronounced my name from behind. I turned and recognised a face that I had not seen since is was that of a boy. It turned out to be the son of Mr Clarkson, formerly of the Somerset. I am sorry to say that he is a confirmed invalid, though able to walk about with a staid and measured step. He has double valvular disease of the heart. He tried for the Army, but of course was rejected. He has to go again some distance to be re-examined, which is not quite good for him. The last time he went he was ill in consequence for some time. I hope he will have a better fortune on this occasion, though of course he is impossible for military service.

I could not get away from Harrogate, for at Emmanuel College they pointed out to me a room which was occupied in his student days by our Mr C L Naylor, who, I am glad to hear, has returned or is to return to his old post as organist of St Peter's Church, Harrogate. It is a long time since he presided at that organ. It is a case, you see, of "as it was in the beginning".

I ascertained that a brother of Mr Crosland, who is an architect of Harrogate, was living at Cambridge, but I did not meet him. I once had the good fortune to be his travelling companion from London to Harrogate, and was much impressed by his rare ability. He was then buying particularly expensive cattle for transportation to South America. I believe he is now in one of the public services - that connected with agriculture - and is doing useful work.

One of the most impressive sights at Cambridge, to me, was the interior of the Chapel of King's College. I should be inclined to say that the stained glass work is almost unequalled, whilst the tracery of the carved stone roof transcends anything I have seen of this nature. The musical service was very fine. The Preceptor, who intoned portions of the service, had a remarkable voice and thoroughly understands the control and modulation of his fine organ. In all my church experience I have never heard anyone to equal that clergyman. It was at Cambridge that Harry Roberts went through his cadet courses. You will remember him, he was at the Waterworks office.

One very wet afternoon, I think it was Thursday, we went to see the kinema representation of the famous play, "Milestones". It differs from the stage version, and has much more illustrative detail. If you ever have a chance to see this film, do so. There was rather an amusing experience. In going to see these pictures we had to take a cab each way it was raining so hard. We paid sixpence each to go into the show and 3s for our cab. Rather a contrast in value, eh? As a matter of fact we preferred the 6d positions.

From the train in going to Cambridge we saw, at the more southern points, nature in all her plenteousness. Vegetation and foliage were something approaching two months in advance of the North. There was abundance of cattle grazing. Endless rich fields and vigorous soil. It all represented England as a land of plenty, and I became unconcerned about our food for the future.

Before I started to dictate my letter to you this morning I had my customary five minutes walk in front of our buildings. One of the cabmen on the rank in front came and told me that his third son had been dangerously wounded. He had not heard from the War Office, but received a letter from the boy's officer. He was in much trouble. You will see all we can tell you in another part of the Herald. The father's name is Jenkinson. You will remember him. He used to live up Pannal Ash Road, and was for a long time coachman at the Beechwood Hotel. He now drives his own cab. Of course he is of advanced years now, but I knew him when he was a lithe, powerful, energetic young man with life in all its hope before him. I am sorry for his trouble, but I trust that the skill of our surgeons will save the boy. I ought not to mention the name of the unit, but you will know the one I mean when I say he is one of the Beechwood Boys. they were in training in this country a very long time. they thought they were never going to get out. They eventually went, and though late in the field they have made up for it. they have done brilliant work, but I am sorry to say have met with the casualties that come to some of the bravest and most pushful of our boys at the Front.

I have not been home long enough to gather much local news, but will do so tomorrow and tell you all that is going on.

I have just picked up a letter from Blacker, who was one of our staff, but is now in the Army. He tells me he is in hospital with a chill, but is getting on all right. Blacker, perhaps you know, was married some little time before he joined the Army and has got a fine baby whom I see occasionally in its carriage.

I had a letter just now from Bugler W Kendall asking for a clarionette [sic - Is this a different instrument to a clarinet..?] in B flat and military music. I will try to get what he wants. He tells me that even the Londoners fight to get hold of the Herald. They enjoy it so much, he adds, it is a wonder there is any bit of the Herald left, for when it leaves him the rest help to devour it. the paper is read until there is not much ink left. I am very glad to hear this, because it encourages me to renewed efforts.

I have now in my hand a postcard, a very pretty one of Rouen Cathedral, from Private G Parker, who tells me that he is out of hospital and much better, though not quite fit. I am very glad, Parker, you have got on so well. I do not forget you.

I find a memorandum on my pad saying that Sergeant Percy Alport, of the Canadians, son of Mr John Alport, of Starbeck, had called to see me. He went back on Saturday. I also fond a memorandum on my pad from Hornsey, saying that owing to the scarcity of paper next Wednesday's Herald has to be a smaller size. I am cutting my cloth accordingly.

I have also a note from one of our brave lads who has done his two years and been discharged, complaining that people are still asking him why he is not in the Army and yet he wears his badge. He is too disgusted to answer these impudent inquiries. When will some women try to control their tongues? Before he was discharged this lad had been twice out to the Front. It is hard lines on such, is it not?

I have one job, at least, for my kind friend in Boulogne, and that is to call on Harold Frankling Dawson, in the K Ward, No 8 Stationary Hospital, Boulogne. Will my friend send me some news of this man to comfort his people? And now, boys, I will turn to other work to make up arrears and be ready for Wednesday. I will talk to you again on Monday.

I have just had brought to my notice something which looks very like a case of mistaken identity, and I sincerely hope it is so. Mr G W Gledhill, who, you will observe, supplies us with weather notes, received on Sunday morning the following : "The commanding officer and all ranks of the 12th Service Battalion, West Yorks Regiment wish to express to you their deep regret at the loss of 41733 Lance Corporal Gledhill H, and to offer you their sincere sympathy in your sorrow. He died doing his duty". It was signed by R S Smythe, Lieutenant Colonel. Now the number quoted is not that of Mr Gledhill's son, neither is he a Lance Corporal, but his initial is H there are other Gledhills in the service, and I think we may conclude that there has been some mistake of identity. The war Office in the 5th April reported that Private H Gledhill, No. 2454, was serving with his battalion. Mr Gledhill, however, has not heard from his son since February 7th, and this gives the family and friends a little anxiety. If any of you boys can send us news of H Gledhill, I know you will do so.

Sergeant W Balme, 20051 (West Yorks), one of the old Beechwood Boys, is reported missing. He is the son of Mr and Mrs T Balme, 8 Elmwood Street, Harrogate, and if any of you boys could give any information to his wife or his friends they will be much relieved. The last letter his wife received was on April 30th.

Second Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Lawrence Shipman is home on ten days' leave, and called to see me. He is of the Regular Army, and has worthily been promoted from the ranks by steady stages. I have exceeded my space, and so will reserve further references to him until my next letter.

I have had the privilege of reading a private letter which contains a story that will not be lost on you. On the 3rd July, the day previous to the big battle of July 4th, 1916, certain troops assembled at a little church to hear Divine service, place their confidence in God and make preparation for what they had to face on the morrow. These lads received Holy Communion. As they were leaving the sacred but roofless edifice each man wrote his home address, to which the padre said he would send a card so that those who returned might tell their friends how they had got through, and those who did not their friends would know how they had spent their last hours. As one soldier was leaving the church, the thought flashed through his mind that he would like to send a lady, who had been a generous friend to him during the trials and discomforts of training and extremely kind to his family, some memento of those last hours. The padre blessed each of the lads and placed round his neck a rosary. The good man asked this particular boy his name. He replied, "Joseph Antony". Said the good man, "I will ask St Joseph and St Anthony to be your guardian angels wherever you may be and bring you safe through, so you may live and serve the Great King above as faithfully as you have served your King here". The soldier asked for a rosary for his benefactress, and this the devout gave with evident pleasure, saying : "Whoever receives this will derive the same blessing and protection. Whenever the possessor is in trouble or pain, calmness will come and sorrow pass".

And now, boys, I may tell you that the good lady who was so kind to the soldier lad, training in Harrogate and after, is Miss Caroline Horsfall, of Inglethorpe, West Park, Harrogate. I have long since told you of the good work she and her sister have done for you soldier boys. the rosary is, as you know, associated with one particular faith. You can quite imagine, however, it is a symbol of that which is sacred alike to all sects and creeds. As am emblem of faith it is deserving of the attributes suggested by the good priest, and so I am sure Miss Horsfall will treasure it, also for the gratitude and thought of which it is an earnest appreciation.

Private James Hambleton, of a Surrey regiment, has been missing since February, 1916. If any of you boys can give information regarding him it will immediately relieve his friends.

W H Breare