Harrogate Herald - 9th May 1917

Private James Clark writes : 

I take the pleasure of writing a few lines to let you know that I am still living. We have had a very busy time lately. I think we gave Fritz a big surprise on Easter Monday when we took Vimy Ridge from him. He thought it could not be done, but we "k'nuts" thought otherwise. No doubt you or some of your readers will know C Hargreaves. He used to drive a cab and lived in Regent Avenue. I am sorry to say he got killed; also Arthur Halliday got wounded. The latter lived at New Park, so I am the only Harrogate lad in our battalion now. I met a man I used to go to school with a few weeks back. They call him Reynard. He is in the signallers (Canadians). It was a great pleasure to meet one from the old town. We were just coming out of the trenches. I would like to get Jack Ibbitson's address if anyone could give it to me. Reynard told me it, but I forgot it. We used to be great chums, but lost track of each other. If this weather lasts I don't think the Hun can stand out much longer, as we are driving him back every day. Wishing you and all the boys the best of success. PS - I get the paper regularly, and I enjoy your letters to the boys the most.

Harrogate Herald - 12th December 1917

Roll of Honour

Private A Halliday (Canadians) was wounded at Vimy Ridge and died of wounds on December 2nd. He was the son of Mrs Halliday, 32 Craven Street, Harrogate. He was interred at Harrogate on Saturday, but not with military honours. A photograph of the funeral procession appears on our picture page.

Harrogate Herald - 26th December 1917

W H Breare letter

I have had in today AB J G Rowntree, son of Corporal Rowntree, of the Flying Corps, and Mrs Rowntree, 7 Bilton Street, King's Road. He was on three days' leave. The lad looks A1, and I enjoyed his company. I find that the soldier and sailor boys are most awfully sympathetic; for instance, Rowntree was grieving that Halliday, a Canadian soldier, who was buried the other day, should have been interred without honours, or even a Union Jack. So was I when I heard of it; but it is only just to say that if the friends do not make application, the authorities know nothing about these sad events. I have found the Military at Headquarters, York, very sympathetic over these cases, and before now have fixed the whole thing up over the telephone without delay. Possibly the friends did not know how to go about it. I am sorry they did not give me an opportunity.