Harrogate Herald – 3rd January 1917
W H Breare letter
I had a letter from Mrs Allen on Friday
saying that her son Norman Allen, who has been wounded,
walked in most unexpectedly much to their delight. I had set the
ball moving trying to get Norman into a Harrogate hospital.
My thanks are due to Mr Titley, who received my request so
sympathetically. I know well the Grand Duchess is most anxious to
find room for Harrogate boys, so that they may be near their friends
at home.
Harrogate Herald - 28th March 1917
W H Breare letter
Whilst on news of the boys, I can tell you that
Private Herbert Hardcastle, of the West Yorks, is in the Scottish
National Red Cross Hospital, Glasgow, with pneumonia. His sisters
have just called to ask if I can do anything to get him into a
hospital in Harrogate, as he is getting convalescent. Almost at the
same moment I received a letter from Mrs Allen, mother of Norman
Allen, who is at St George's Hospital here now, telling me that
her son, Rifleman Frank Allen, is progressing nicely, and is
able to come to Harrogate. He desires to get into St George's, if
possible, where his brother is. I have no doubt Mr Titley will help
me to bring this about if he can. Frank Allen, however, has
the first claim, because he applied some time since, but was not
well enough to be moved then. I hope, however, I shall be able to
manage it for Hardcastle. He comes from Beckwithshaw, and is a son
of Mr Hardcastle, farmer, there. His father is an old friend of
mine, and when I lived at Harlow Car he worked for us on that estate
to such effect that I shall never forget his skill and kindness
during that period of my life. Up to the present Hardcastle has been
seven weeks in hospital.
[Further on in the same letter]
Norman Allen came in on Saturday. He is on
crutches, but looks exceedingly well. His foot does not progress
quite so satisfactorily as we could wish, so he may have to undergo
another operation, as there is a suspicion that further bone needs
to be taken away. There are five of these Allen boys in the
Army, and the mother and sister have patriotically endured many
sacrifices, but I am glad to say they are getting on satisfactorily
in the business of one of the boys which they are running.
Harrogate Herald - 20th June 1917
W H Breare letter
Of course, you know that many other men besides our
Australians had a hand in digging those tunnels for the mining of
Messines. I have seen no mention of the fact, however, in the
papers. For instance, Norman Allen, of whom I have written
you, who is in hospital here on account of his wounds, had a share
in that digging. Allen is getting on well, and so is Maurice
Fenwick and all the other lads.
Harrogate Herald - 31st October 1917
W H Breare letter
With Sergeant Fletcher were two other boys, Private Draper, son
of Mr G Draper, of Nydd Vale Terrace, who brought me the sad news of
his brother's death in France. Draper is still in training in this
country. The other visitor was F Allen, of 33 Commercial
Street, who was in the King's Royal Rifles. He was wounded in the
thigh and received his discharge September 23rd. He still has
trouble from his old wound. Allen's brother, Corporal
Raymond Allen, who worked at the Baths, has likewise been
discharged. Another brother, Private N Allen, in the
Canadians, is expecting to get his discharge, for he is
incapacitated for military duties. Private Cecil Allen,
another brother, is still in France. The last-named boy was fighting
in German East Africa, where he was wounded, but on recovery was
sent to fight in France. This is a good record of service for one
family, isn't it?
