Harrogate Herald - 27th January 1915
W H Breare letter
It was rumoured that Veterinary Lieutenant Hamilton
was expected home, on leave on Saturday, but he had not arrived when
we made inquiries. Men keep dropping in for the week-end. It shows
how perfect is the transport service when this is possible. So you
boys ought not to feel far away, but look forward to your turn. I
think most of the boys at home, training, are impatient to be doing
something, which means taking a share in the fighting.
Harrogate Herald - 1st December 1915
Captain Hamilton, whom you will remember as a
prominent veterinary surgeon in Harrogate, has sent us a very
interesting letter on farming in Flanders. It appeared in the Herald
today. We are exceedingly obliged to Captain Hamilton.
Harrogate Herald - 1st December 1915
Captain W Hamilton, the well-known local veterinary
surgeon, gives an interesting account of Tommy Atkins' work behind
the firing lines in the following letter :
Please note change of
address. I left my last unit over a month ago, and have been
attached to this one, another about 6 miles from here. I should have
sent you a letter sooner, but have been on the move with this unit
the last month, and there were no facilities for sending or
receiving letters. I found three Herald lying here for me on my
return. I have been away delivering mules, collecting and
distributing horse. Had a rough time of it while away. At this place
I and another officer have a good billet in a chateau belonging to
Count -----. The OC number one section here is Lieutenant Mallinson,
of Kirkby Overblow. There are also several men from Harrogate and
district in this unit. Being attached to a line of communication
unit I see very little of the actual fighting. When I have done so
it was when I had the chance of a motor ride and - but, there, I
will say no more about it. As you take an interest in farming I will
tell you a little about that. The farmers are busy just now getting
in their turnips. Many, in fact most of them, pulp them into a fine
thready flake, and put it in shallow pits and trenches and cover
with foil till the following winter, when they use it for the
cattle. It is quite sour when they rise it. Grassland is very
uncommon here. Most of the land is under cultivation. It is ploughed
up to the last yard. Hedges are seldom seen. Hillsides are cut out
into terraces and ploughed up. Threshing of corn is done by a horse
on a kind of treadmill arrangement. On many farms the churning is
done by a dog running in a large wheel. The horses are a good type
of light draught. Mostly greys, with clean legs and powerful
quarters. They are good workers. Often two or three in a team will
be driven by a man or boy with only one rein in his hand. The farm
work at present is being carried on by old men and women, girls and
boys. All available men physically fit are on military service of
some kind. Sugar beet is very plentiful in this country. Sheep are
not seen in large numbers, generally in flocks of 20 or 30, and
"lented" by a man or boy on the roadside or on the stubble
fields. Many of the wayside cottagers have a goat for milking
purposes. Rabbits of the Belgian hare variety are kept by all the
farmers and cottagers and sold in the markets for food. Pheasants,
partridges, hares, and rabbits are seen in abundance in some parts.
Plantations and forest belong to the Government. During the last few
days Lieutenant Mallinson has been busy with a number of his men
threshing the corn at some of the farms here, and incidently
emptying the barns for the accommodation of our horses. In many ways
these units help the farmers, by ploughing the land, carting manure,
and turnips, threshing the corn, etc. work of this kind is a great
help to the farmers as labour is scarce owing to the war, and it
keeps the horses fit, while we are resting in any place for a time.
I also have given my services to the farmers in attending to their
stock, and have had a good many dogs and cats to attend also.
Personally, I have had every kindness shown to me at various places
where I have been billeted, and have made many friends. This is a
long rambling letter, but perhaps - well, I am sure, it will please
you better than a postcard saying "I am well. Letter follows at
first opportunity". Please convey to Mrs Breare my sincere
sympathy in her bereavement. Many thanks for the Herald, which I
have received regularly since I came out here.
Harrogate Herald - 26th December 1917
W H Breare letter
Captain W Hamilton, of the Army Veterinary Corps, came in to see
me, and brought his son, Signaller Lieutenant Commander H S
Hamilton. Captain Hamilton looks better than ever, but you see he
has always had an outdoor life, and the conditions at the Front are
not strange to him. One day he was going into a YMCA hut to get warm
before the fire, when he met Second Lieutenant George Dobson, of the
Black Watch, Highland Territorial Division. You know George is the
son of Mr W Dothie Dobson, of High Harrogate. Hamilton did not find
his fire, for they had had none for two days, because they couldn't
get wood. Captain Hamilton has seen Squire Spencer's chauffer, who
lives at New Park, and is in the MT. At 8 pm on Saturday, the day
Captain Hamilton left, it started to snow, and he set forth on his
journey at nine.
