Harrogate Herald -14th February 1917

W H Breare letter

Before now you have heard me speak of the seven Harrogate boys all in one regiment. I had one of them in on Saturday. It was Private H Crossley, of the RAMC. He is the son of Mrs John Crossley, of 6 Waterloo Street, and was on sick leave. He is now medically unfit, but is working at the permanent base. He is one of the seven of the 6th Dragoon Guards. Others whose names you will know are Allardyce, Smith, and Andrew Beer. These boys are all regulars. Crossley was transferred to the RAMC when he became unfit. He wants to ascertain Harry Matson's address. Can anybody tell him? Crossley enlisted November 14th, 1910, was five years with he Cavalry, then transferred to RAMC. Left Alexandria 15th January for Havre. He collected wounded there and took them to Ireland. Amongst them were Harrogate lads. A pity these could not have come to Harrogate hospitals, isn't it? Crossley's period of service in the Regular Army expires November 14th of this year. I hope, and believe, the war will be over by then.

Harrogate Herald - 25th April 1917

W H Breare letter

I had a surprise visit this afternoon from my friend H Crossley, of the RAMC. He had just arrived from Canada, where they had delivered a ship load of Canadian wounded. His experience on the home journey, I should think, is a record. I am sure it will fill everybody with surprise when I tell the tale. They came back from Canada with 60 Canadian sisters who were coming over on nursing duty. About a day's sail from Liverpool they were stopped by a German submarine. The captain of the transport sent the first officer to the submarine, which was about 500 yards away, with the ship's papers and to answer questions. The commander of the German submarine examined the papers, and seeing soldiers' caps on board the transport said : "You have soldiers there". The first officer replied that they were RAMC men only. To the enquiry of who else they had, he replied. "Sixty Canadian sisters". The submarine officer pondered for a moment, then said. "You can go on and best of luck to you!" Hope it will soon be over". The submarine then circled round the ship, showing three flags, which denoted bon voyage. As the transport sailed away the German crew gave three cheers, and the submarine disappeared beneath the waters.

On the voyage to Canada, Crossley met a Harrogate man called Lenevaitre, whose mother lives at 20 Glebe Road, Harrogate. His father is chef at the Royal Hotel. Crossley kindly went to see the mother of [f ?] Lenevaitre, who was delighted to hear news of her boy, especially when it was that he had been safely landed and all right. Out in Canada a lady gave him a portrait group in which was her son, who was shortly to be discharged from service with the Canadians in that country and to return home. She gave him the photograph so that he might pick him out if he happened to be on the same transport when her lad comes home. This boy's name is S G [?] Whittall, C Company of a Canadian battalion. Crossley's term of seven years' service expires next November.