Harrogate Herald - 13th June 1917

W H Breare letter

I had a further pleasant surprise, on Thursday, when Private Ireland, of the KRR, looked in. he came only the night before, so he had lost no time in coming to see me. This is the first leave he has had in thirteen months. By the way, he told me that Trevor [?], of Harlow Oval, was with him, likewise W Kendall, whose father is engaged at the peat baths of the Royal establishment here. Ireland enlisted at the same time as Benton and Turner, one or both of whom worked at Mr Hales' wine merchant, also Ingham, who, I believe, was at the George, but is now invalided home. Turner was killed the first time over. At St Eloi, Ireland's lot were over first. You will remember that I had occasion to mention Ireland's mother at a time when another son of hers was wounded, and she was anxious about him. As soon as Ireland reached me he asked me if I had received his letter. As a matter of fact, I had not seen it, but thinking it was amongst a number I had still to peruse, I said I had not seen it yet. It turned out his letter did not reach me until Friday morning. So you see he arrived before it. I gathered one important point from Ireland, and it was that some of the boys did not like to ask me for things they really needed badly. Now, I would say to you lads; I hope you will not let any such mistaken modesty prevent you from telling me. Please understand it is a pleasure to my readers and us all to be able to find out those things of which you stand in need. A large number of people promptly scan the Gossip column and the "Boy's Letters" on Wednesday morning on purpose to ascertain what they can send out. They would not, for the world, have you feel any obligations. If you are pleased with what you get that is quite sufficient happiness for them. You know yourselves that if you do a good turn to a pal you feel very happy and comfortable inside afterwards. Well, your friends at home have just the same sensation.