Harrogate Herald - 10th October 1917

To Our Boys on Service

Dear Chaps,

It seems but yesterday since A E Garnett, who now has been made a second-lieutenant, sat chatting to me in my room. He was of the Yorks and Lancs, and brother of Mr E Garnett, of Lion Cottages, Harrogate. I remarked than, in my mind, what a fine sample of a British soldier he looked - modest, yet alert, and with a kindly smile that denoted warmth of heart. Last Wednesday his brother came to tell me that he had been killed in action the Saturday before, namely, September 29th. Before going up - and he went early (actually in September 1914) - he was local manager of the West Riding Dairy Company. In October of last year Garnett was wounded and missing, but got back to his battalion. Not long after he was recommended for a commission, and came over this year. He was sent to the York and Lancs. Possessed of fine business instincts and high personal qualities, he was much respected by everyone with whom he had business or friendly relations. He won his position in the I have mentioned through successive promotions, for he began with the firm as a boy delivering milk. We are giving his portrait in the Herald so you will be able to call him to mind.

On the same day (Wednesday) Private B Coates came in to thank me for the papers and to notify his change of address. He has been transferred from the 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion to the 4th Canadian Labour Battalion, and is of 9 Platoon, C Company. Coates has had fourteen months of fighting and sixteen months out. He has been doing railway repairing on the Ypres front, before that at Vimy Ridge, and is a son of Mr & Mrs Coates, of Toronto, Canada, where his parents now are. They lived 46 years in Harrogate. Coates is a smart little chap full of that Canadian amiability and strength which our sons across the seas have in such liberal measure.

I told you last week that we had information a certain soldier I was endeavouring to have transferred to Harrogate did not wish to be transferred. I have had a letter from the boy, and it is quite a mistake. He was not a free agent, neither was he consulted. The authorities had already arranged to send him into the country, after which in all probability he was to be release from military service altogether.

Soon after the Herald came out last week I had a letter from Mrs Cockerham saying she would be pleased to subscribe towards that pneumatic stretcher to replace the one which Harrogate gave, but was destroyed by shell fire. You boys will not have forgotten, I am sure, the regularity with which this lady has sent you some of your best woolen comforts. I believe I shall have many such offers towards the stretcher, but I mention the above to show you how prompt your friends are in response.

I told you last week that Miss Hilda Nelson, our very successful Harrogate soprano, was singing at the Halle Concerts in Manchester. I now hear that she has fulfilled the engagement and achieved brilliant success. Although it was her first appearance in Manchester, the audience was prompt to acknowledge the charm of her voice and the completeness of her artistry. You doubtless would read the article on Fred Godley, who now sings under the name of Eric Godley. It is rather singular that two Harrogate singers should be in such prominent evidence at the same time.

I have been able to read a few letters from Sergeant C Lupton, son of Mrs Lupton, of Robert Street, who is a prisoner in Germany. With the letters came a photograph showing that Lupton is in good health, and bears no sign of privation. He is receiving parcels regularly. I hope to be able to give his photograph, together with a comrade, as they appear in their German prison.

For the information of Herald staff boys who are fighting, I may mention that their friend Gill was called up for the I don't know how many'th time, and given until January. As they know, he has been medically rejected time after time, and is not fit for Army or any trying service; but in his case, as in many others, the recruiting authorities still continue to have him at the other end of the string.

I am sure you will be glad to know that the Government have decided on reprisals - that is, aeroplane attacks on towns similar to those to which the Germans have paid so much attention. We shall see how they like their own medicine. I fancy there will be some squealing in Germany after the very first dose.

Will Sergeant Spicer, of the 5th Australian Field Ambulance, send me his address? I have some music for him, and want to put him on the list to receive the Herald every week.

Private T Bentley, 2nd Dragoon Guards, son of Mr & Mrs Bentley, 56 Otley Road, called to see me on Friday. He has been out from the beginning of the war, and has been through Mons, Arras, and most of the fighting, and thus far not had a scratch. Bentley has received the Herald regularly through the war. He has three brothers serving, one of whom, Waddell, had his arm permanently injured, and was discharged. The brothers used to be together. Thus you will see my visitor has a fine record, and I can assure you he looks just the man to achieve it.

I have just ascertained that Percy Raworth was killed by an aerial bomb while voluntarily undertaking dangerous duty with the Tanks. Captain F A Robinson writes to the father from a camp in this country as follows : "I feel I must write to you, and offer my heartfelt sympathy on hearing of the death of your son Percy, I only heard from France on Saturday. The news came as a terrible shock to me, as your son had been with me ever since he joined up in 1915, and we have been through so many bad times together in France. Raworth was the most popular man in the Company with both officers and men, and I could not have wished for a cooler or braver man in action. I am enclosing a letter I have just received from him written just before his death, also letter from one of my old men. I should like you to return these letters at some future date. If I can be of any use to you in getting any information, etc., I should be only too pleased, Again offering you and family my deepest sympathy, I remain, yours sincerely, F A Robinson, Captain".

The letter enclosed is as follows : "Just a line to let you know the sad news. Percy Raworth was killed on Sunday while guarding one of the animals. He volunteered for this guard, and was left by himself. A bomb from an aeroplane fell close to him, which practically killed him outright. It seem hard lines, considering the risks he ran before. I am sending this to your home address, not knowing your present battalion. Percy showed me the very nice photo which you sent him of Mrs R and yourself. I remain, yours sincerely, A Cecil Howes".

On Friday morning we were all elevated to the seventh heaven of delight at the biggest victory since the Marne. I think I can see you boys when you discuss it beaming with just pride and a satisfaction that is speechless. I cannot tell you how cheered we are. I have never seen our people so quietly elated. You can read it in the smiles on every face, and the joy and confidence which makes us feel as if we were all walking on air. I am more than ever convinced that the fighting will be over this year, With me that conviction has never swerved. We can trust Haig to follow on. If you have any doubt in your own minds, which I am sure you have not, just think of this : When the Huns had Roumania at her mercy, did she or could she follow it up? No! When the Russian troops in the North went to pieces and were demoralised, did the Germans follow up their advantage? No! Can they help themselves in the West? No! This war, like every other, will end suddenly and unexpectedly.

On Thursday and Friday morning we had our first touch of cool air. The sun was bright, the atmosphere clear, and it rejoiced me to think that you would be having the same weather instead of ploughing the slush and mud on your way to final victory.

The allotment gardeners had a fine show of their products the other day. It was a great success in every way, and will stimulate them to further efforts in this direction.

It will remind you of home and former occasions if I tell you that Mr Julian Clifford had his benefit concerts on Wednesday. You will realise this looks like the approach of the end of the orchestral season.

Bombardier Sam Hempsall, I believe, is just now an instructor in the Gas Mask School. Some of the new men at home are rather inclined to treat the precautions as a joke, but you know better than that, don't you?

I am sorry to hear that Private Joseph R Clarke, Blue Plain Farm, Pateley Bridge, has been missing since August 13th. He is of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. I hope his friends will not lose faith in his safety. I quite expect to hear, after some delay, that he is a prisoner in Germany.

I want to tell you about a nice young soldier I know. He is Signaller Clifford Twineham, of the WY. Well, he is a very modest chap, but an exceedingly worthy one. Some time ago he won the Military Medal, and kept it to himself. Now I have discovered the secret I will tell you. On September 28th, 1916, he was repairing wires under heavy shell fire, and won the medal by his bravery and success in the ordeal. He has been out eighteen months, and lives when at home at New Park. He worked for the Decorative Supply Company, 5 Commercial Street, and I can tell you he is thought much of by his employers and fellow workmen. It is a great delight to us at home to find that such young men after splendid endeavours have attained the highest distinction within their present reach.

I mentioned Fawcett, an old member of the original Harrogate Volunteers, who went out to Australia or New Zealand, and who has been fighting in France. From a private letter I learn that Fawcett is missing, and nothing as yet has come from careful enquiries. He was a joiner, and, I believe, at one tine worked on the Sheepshanks estate. To call him to mind, I must mention that he was a tall, thin man, with blue eyes, and used to do a good deal of shooting at Birk Crag with the Volunteers. If I mistake not, he often shot with the Harrogate Civilian Rifle Club.

On many pleasant occasions I have mentioned Mrs Dyson Lister's kindness to you boys. The other day I received a large box containing three new beautiful shirts of the very first quality and three pairs of pants. I was much struck by the quality of he articles. When I tell you that she has boys of her own doing their bit, you will appreciate the motherly instinct which promotes her to feel that nothing but the best is worthy of you lads. Whilst you have been out fighting I have no doubt you have often thought of that instinct which prompts your dear mother always to give you the very best. That thought has warmed your hearts many a time, I am sure. You will not forget as long as you live, the mothers of Great Britain, for they have found room in their great hearts for you all.

I want to tell you of a sad case that has occurred in Harrogate, but naturally I must withhold names. You know what the strain of this war has been upon our women folk, particularly expectant mothers. A short time ago a baby was born into the world with but one leg. You married men will understand what part worry and imagination has played, and how it is responsible for this pathetic case. What a grief to the parents it is you will realise. Now this little one will demand care and provision necessitating great expense. I may have to appeal to my generous readers to help lighten that mental and financial burden. I would ask my readers to picture in their minds what the feeling of the soldier father must have been when he came home on leave and discovered the cross given him to bear.

I am conceited enough to think that you boys will be pleased to hear that my third son, L D Breare, after 2.5 years' service, has been promoted from second lieutenant to full lieutenant.

I hear a good deal that I cannot publish, in the way of information. I am glad of this private knowledge, because I am often able to relieve the anxiety of parents by assuring them that their sons' units re not in certain battles and pushes over which parents are anxious.

In the last letter that Percy Raworth sent home he enclosed a coupon signed by himself, voting in favour of a change of the name Kursaal. He asked his father to hand it to me. I have the coupon, and shall keep it, notwithstanding it is such a sad memento for me.

Your good friend the Mayor of Harrogate has recently been a guest of the Lord Mayor of London. Thence he went to Brighton with the Lady Mayoress, but has now returned home.

At the Picture House last week was exhibited a most interesting film, a setting of Hall Caine's story, The Manxman. It has been difficult to obtain seats, so great has been the popularity of this series. The Empire, too, has been doing very good business. A friend of mine found a very interesting programme there last week. I think all the entertainment places are doing very well. There is quite a long succession of notable plays at the Opera House.

Another of my visitors has been Sapper E Russell, Divisional Signals Company, of 50 Albany Road. He is a son of Mr Russell, Gas Office, who was Masonic Hall keeper. He has two brothers who went out in December and January. He had seen Addyman, who worked with him at the Gas Office. Russell has been two years and four months on military service and nine months in France.

Private R Johnson, MT, called on Saturday, with his wife. He has been out 17 months and this was his first leave. His home is at 15 Poplar Grove. His brother, Private James Johnson, is in the infantry and has seen three years' service. A brother-in-law, Private R Dodd, is in the RAMC. Johnson had seen William Gamble, who used to work at Johnson's motor garage, and G Reed, of Albert Street. Johnson often chalks up on his vehicle, "Hello! Harrogate!!" By this means he attracts the attention of our boys and meets many from home. He sends his kind regards to Lance Corporal Gamble. Whilst Johnson and his wife were in, the Editor of the Lytham Times was with me, and without meaning to perpetrate a pun, I may say we had a good time. The gentleman referred to is Walter Fielden, who is doing lots of useful work for the boys. We are exchanging papers weekly to se if we can each obtain some inspiration which will be profitable to the lads. Mr Fielden is a son of a professional musician and himself a most excellent entertainer. He gave a show at Southlands the other day towards comfort for the boys.

Private Stanley Mann (son of Mr J Mann, of the Harrogate Billposting Company, who, by the way, is a faithful friend of mine) has been home on his first leave. He has not gone out to France yet because he is not quite old enough. He used to work with his father in the Billposting Company before joining up. I was delighted to se the Stanley has grown into a fine stalwart soldier and to hear that he likes his job. He is very clever with horses, so has been chosen out of a number as groom to his officer, therefore he is in his element.

The clear cold weather of preceding days was followed on Sunday in the forenoon by considerable rain. The atmosphere was still chilly. Fine in the afternoon. On Saturday it was fine but cool. A small army of us went down to my orchard and nearly finished the gathering of the fruit. Whilst it was raining on Sunday I was shaking hands with myself on having been for once in time.

Trooper A Buck, Derbyshire Yeomanry, fourth son of Mr & Mrs Buck, 25 Diamond Place, Harrogate, died in Salonica from malarial fever on September 10th. I shall have more to tell you next week, when I hope to give portraits of the father and is six soldier sons.

W H Breare