Harrogate Herald - 26th September 1917

To Our Boys on Service

Dear Chaps,

I attended the funeral of Mrs Frankling on Wednesday, in St Peter's Church. I want to tell you how sad, yet how beautiful was that experience. On the left of the main aisle were rows and rows of wounded soldiers from the hospitals and an almost equally large gathering of blue-coated lads in another part of the church. The presence of medical men of Harrogate - in many cases their wives and daughters - the mayor, Town Clerk and many other representative townsmen and women, emphasised he significance of that solemn gathering. You know the soft, restful light of that beautiful interior. Its atmosphere today elevated us to mystic heights, so peaceful, so impressive, far above and beyond our restless world. That which followed touched the cords of sympathy with a still firmer grasp, adding a pathos beyond tears. Then the organ sighed the pathetic opening of "O rest in the Lord". Mr Naylor was at the instrument, and here, indeed, was comfort for the distressed. Four clergymen officiated, including our good Vicar of St Peter's, likewise the Vicar of St Wilfrid's and two other clergymen I could not identify. Boys of the choir were present, but no adult choralists. The congregation joined in soothing hymns. Then came a most unexpected and touching experience. The Vicar gave out the hymn "Abide with me". Instead of the choir, a single voice came softly pulsating along the vaulted roof, charged with the beautiful air of Liddle's setting. The singer was Madame Edith Hartley, to whom the fine acoustics of the church offered perfect opportunity, and I cannot remember, in the same circumstances, to have heard anything more impressive. Altogether it was a most beautiful service which left the mourners comforted, even stimulated. The wounded soldiers headed the sad procession in which there were many motors and carriages. I think I have never seen such masses of lovely flowers. Much as I desired, time and engagements would not permit me to go to Harlow Hill Cemetery, but the Herald was well represented there. To show the severity of our loss and its public acknowledgement I must tell you that the streets, round about the church and on the route of the solemn cortege, were crowded. It was no idle curiosity but a spontaneous, heartfelt impulse to pay every possible indication of respect and admiration for a noble woman who, boys, was indeed your faithful and affectionate friend.

Last week I had Driver John Whitehead, ASC, in to see me. He is of the 49th Division, and was due to return last Friday. He had been out 30 months and was lucky enough to see his brother Jim Whitehead the Friday before he came on leave and Sergeant Calverley. Whitehead was a joiner for Raworth Brothers, with whom he served his apprenticeship. On one occasion he saw a regiment containing lots of Harrogate boys, just going on a route march. Amongst those whom he knew were Draper, Rogers, and John Lee, the two latter of the Herald staff. Another of Whitehead's brothers, Bob Whitehead, is in the ASC, but at present in Ireland. Both brothers were members of the West Park FC. My caller has had no wounds and been in good health all the time, so far.

I had a visit the other day from Mrs Massheder, whose son, Private Harry Harland Massheder, of the West Yorks, has been missing since September 27th, 1916. She came to tell me she had a notice from the War Office stating that "the Army Council have been regretfully constrained to conclude that his death took place on the 27th of September, 1916". With this was an expression of condolence from the King and Queen. Like the strong, devoted mother that she is she still clings to the hope that confidently tells her she will see her boy again. I think she is right. How proud this boy will be, if he gets to know (and he may, wherever he happens to be), of the courage and faithfulness of his mother.

Private F D Earnshaw, of Starbeck, who belongs to the West Yorks, came fresh from Belgium to see me. Sharp, of Starbeck, who is of the same regiment, came on leave about the same time. From Earnshaw I learnt that Johnson, who drove for Knowles, wine merchant, and lives at New Park, was a stretcher bearer, and when fetching wounded he was caught by a shell. The following Starbeck boys are with Earnshaw : Sibson, Lance Corporal Blackburn, Private Ashby, Sergeant Dobby, who, by the way, is in hospital. Earnshaw has been 12 months out the 25th of this month. He has had narrow shaves, but escaped and has kept well.

I have had news of Sergeant Watson, who was at Handley's, and Private Carr, of England, Robinson and Co. Private Fred E Izard, of the West Yorks, brought me information on them. He saw both lads just before coming on leave. With the exception of being in hospital ten days with sickness, Izard has had good luck and I hope it will continue.

The flag days in Harrogate terminate on Saturday with an effort for Dr Barnardo's Homes. It is a very appropriate cause for this war time. I don't know how many lads from this Institution, who have succeeded in life, are with the Army, but there are many from all parts of the world. There is nothing more important than looking after the manhood of the future, and Dr Barnardo's Homes are calculated to do much in the direction of restoring the pathetic wastage, or shall I say loss, of Britain's young manhood. I don't think we should refer to these losses as "wasted". Those who have fallen have sacrificed themselves for their country and insured the future freedom, peace and comfort of the world. Could there be a more glorious, unselfish immolation? This thought should stimulate Harrogate to noble response on Saturday. Many other movements and institutions have applied for a flag day, but it is deemed unwise to continue them further, at any rate for the present time. Assistance must come from other methods and come it will, because the wonderful Harrogate people are not yet tired of helping. Indeed, I find the spirit is even growing. Aren't you proud of what Harrogate has done, boys? I am sure you are and have good reason.

I am sorry that I have not been able promptly to satisfy the needs for watches at the Front. Give me time and all shall be satisfied. You must understand, however, that there are many other things wanted and each must come in turn. Depend upon it I have not forgotten one of you. I am concerned to find that several parcels sent out have not reached their destination. Mails have gone down, we know, and there may be other reasons; but so far as possible I am making good the losses. Earlier on in the war not a parcel miscarried or was lost. But you see things are on a much bigger scale now and there are more risks. I hope what I have said will not deter any of you from asking for what you require.

I have had a welcome letter from an officer, thanking me on receipt of parcels sent for his battalion. He wondered that I should feel grateful for the opportunity of sending these. Nevertheless, I am. I mention it now that you boys may know how I regard these intimations that things are wanted. I can assure that instead of being under obligation to the givers the obligation is all on our side. You cannot imagine what a privilege it is to do these things for you lads.

Mr Byass, of the Prince of Wales garage, came to see me the other day on rather an important errand. You must know that he was one of the first to set up a motor excursion into the country for wounded soldiers. When petrol was scarce and the Soldiers' Entertainment Committee had to abandon these motor runs, Mr Byass managed to take up and continue this work, and he did so in close consultation with my son "Jack", who was secretary of the committee. Mr Byass came to tell me that he was threatened with a prosecution for carrying on all these excursions without a permit which a recent law demanded. My son could have given him this permit, as secretary of the Wounded Soldiers' Entertainment Committee, but neither he nor Mr Byass thought it necessary as the accounts were duly audited, published in the Herald and deposited at the Herald Office for inspection. Besides, these excursions were practically continuations of the committee's scheme, and the Secretary had full knowledge of the details. Happily, however, there was sufficient evidence to convince everyone that there was no case for a prosecution and so far as I know the matter has been dropped. It would have been hard if after doing all this good work Mr Byass had had the unpleasantness of a prosecution, wouldn't it? I am very glad to take this opportunity of acknowledging the good work Mr Byass has done for wounded soldiers.

On Saturday morning I had an interesting visit from a veteran. Private E Nolan, of the 7th Canadian Cavalry Field Ambulance, is a Harrogate man, and, what is more, and old member of the West Yorks Rifle Volunteers, as far back as 1901. Captain Shann, of Knaresborough, was CO of the Ambulance Corps at that time, and comrades of Nolan were Jack Howard, England, and W Fawcett, likewise Billy Booth of Knaresborough, and Frank Pringle, of Starbeck. Fawcett and Howard went out to Australia and New Zealand, respectively, years ago. Nolan was through the Boer War, and if I mistake not the other men I have mentioned were likewise in that historic struggle. Nolan went out to Africa in the RAMC. When the present war broke out, of course, he joined, came over with the Canadians in 1915, landing in England, subsequently going to France. His home is in Calgary, Canada, in which country he has lived 30 years, spending much of that time in the beautiful city of Toronto. He married Mary Metcalfe, daughter of the late Thomas Metcalfe, wheelwright, Otley Road. J Nolan, brother, was all through the Boer War with the KOYLIs. He, too, went to Canada. It was his wife's brother who brought E Nolan to see me. Metcalfe is doing good service now with the Drum and Fife Band of our modern Volunteers. I had some very interesting reminiscences from my visitor, but as most of you boys are too young to remember the events noted, I am not touching upon them today. They are, however, historical items which will be of use to me some day in dealing with old Harrogate associations. Nolan is very well, looks a soldier, and I was exceedingly glad to meet him.

On Saturday also, John Wilson, naval wireless operator, son of W Wilson, who has attended so many years at the foot of the staircase which leads to the Grand Circle of our Opera House. He lives at 60 Mayfield Grove. I saw Wilson last Easter, and I think he is looking fitter than ever and remains his own jolly self. Wilson brought with him a mess-mate of his, R Parry, signalman, whose home is at Egham, Surrey. A nice bright chap with frank engaging manners and a typical seaman. After two or three days with his friend in Harrogate, Parry was going home for the rest of his leave. Wilson told me that he had met Clifford Webster, but had lost sight of him for a time; he had also seen Dinsdale.

I mentioned to you in my last that splendid institution, St Dunstan's Institute for the Blind. Since then I have had details of a scheme in connection with that movement which I think you will appreciate. A generous public is contributing funds which promise to be all sufficient to St Dunstan's for the care and training of the blinded soldiers. But one thing leads to another, and so provision has to be made for such of those heroes who marry and have children. It is to be hoped that many will take to themselves that happiness and solace in their blindness. The effort is to provide 5s a week for the maintenance of each child who does not receive Government allowance through being born at a later date than the regulations allowed for. On Christmas Day a little envelope will be left at each house in the borough of Harrogate asking for subscriptions great or small to help raise £250,000 to provide this 5s per week per child. I have to see the scheme through n Harrogate as regards the envelope and other subscriptions and formulate the details of the choral parties. I am evolving a plan which I think will take the following form : I am going to appeal in the Herald to ladies and gentlemen asking two in each street to carry out the duty of delivering those envelopes. If I can succeed in this, the work will be done quickly and well. I shall ask contributors, when they have deposited something in the envelopes, to forward them to me with their names and address written outside. By this plan I think we shall have many hands to make the work light.

A soldier who has a wife and four children was insured in an English company. He has been missing since May. I am told that in the event of the man's death the Insurance Company has intimated that, as the soldier had not given notice to the company that he had joined the Army, the company would not accept liability and pay. £12 odd has been paid in premiums. This is a matter which you boys, who are insured, should look to. After receiving this notice the soldier's wife still continued paying the premium, and the company accepted the money.

Last week I mentioned a table cloth that had been sold for the benefit of our soldiers in want of certain comforts. I mentioned that Mrs Whewell had been unable to knit for some time. As a matter of fact, Mrs Whewell has contributed socks with great regularity, and I should be doing an injustice if I did not tell you that they have all been knitted by Mrs Whewell's maid. Miss Eva Harbottle, to whom I am exceedingly grateful for her skillful and liberal efforts. It is a pleasant partnership between mistress and maid; Mrs Whewell provided the wool and Miss Harbottle knitted the socks. I should have mentioned this last week but, as you know, I am overwhelmed with work, and at times details escape my attention. Now I have pleasure in making amends.

W H Breare