Harrogate Herald - 28th March 1917
Roll of Honour
Private George Holgate, West Yorks, son of Mr E
Holgate, of 131 Cold Bath Road, Harrogate, is, we regret to say, a
prisoner of war at Dulmen, West Germany. Nothing has been heard of
Private Holgate for several weeks, and it was a relief the other day
to the family to learn that he was alive and well, although he had
had the misfortune to be taken a prisoner of war. In reply to
enquiries from his sister, Miss Holgate, Lieutenant Hanley
Hutchinson wrote : "In reply to your letter of 7th March, I
much regret that since my last note to you (enclosed to you with T
Ketson's), I have heard nothing of your brother. I still think that
he and Lance Corporal L Jewitt were taken prisoners; if so, they
will be with you again ere long, I hope. One dead body of another of
my men was found near, and, as no signs of your brother or his gun
were found, I am all the more convinced that he is alive. Enquiries
have been made, and will be made of course, with pleasure, and I am
only glad to think you have written to me. Anything I can do will be
done gladly. Your brother was an excellent fellow in every way, and
he is a great loss". Since that letter was received, Mr Holgate
got a card from his son from the Dulmen internment camp, saying he
was well. Private Holgate, who is 22 years of age, was in the employ
of Messrs Hudson Bros, ironmongers, Harrogate. He is a twin brother
of Private ? Holgate, who is with the ? Herts, and an elder brother
of Private S D Holgate, is also in the Army.
Harrogate Herald - 12th September 1917
Roll of Honour
Mr & Mrs W H Hutchinson, of The Meads, Ripon,
received an intimation by wire on Monday that their elder son,
Lieutenant Hanley Hutchinson, of the West Yorks, had been
dangerously wounded with gunshot in the abdomen. Later in the day a
second wire was received intimating that Lieutenant Hutchinson was
dead. The following telegram was also received from the War Office :
"Regret to inform you that Lieutenant Hutchinson, West
Yorkshire Regiment, has died of wounds. Lord Derby expresses his
sympathy". The announcement of Lieutenant Hutchinson's death
has been received with very great regret in Ripon, where he was very
highly esteemed by all who knew him, and his sad death has cut short
an exceedingly promising career. Lieutenant Hutchinson was educated
at Kent House School, Eastbourne, and at Malvern College, where he
remained until he passed his preliminary examination for the law. He
served his articles with his father until the last six months, when
he went to the firm of Messrs Crossman, Pritchard and Co., of
London, where he finished his articles. He passed his final
examination and was admitted as a solicitor on the 13th October
1913. He practised in Ripon until the end of September 1914, when he
joined the West Yorkshires, his commission being dated September
30th, 1914. He completed a thorough training in England with his
regiment, and was appointed machine gun officer. He was a good
officer, a smart soldier, and greatly esteemed by all ranks. He
first went on active service at the beginning of January this year,
returning home for ten days' leave in July last. He returned again
to the Front on the 1st August. Prior to the war Lieutenant
Hutchinson was deeply interested in the Church Lads' Brigade, and
held the rank of lieutenant in the Ripon Cathedral branch. He served
in the Cadet Corps at Malvern, where he first obtained the
elementary knowledge of drill.
Harrogate Herald - 5th December 1917
Roll of Honour
Lieutenant Allan T Hodgson, in a letter to the
bereaved parents, says : "Dear Mr Hutchinson, It is with great
sorrow that I have to write to tell you of the death of your son in
action on the morning of the 22nd November whilst gallantly leading
his men to repel an enemy counter-attack near Bourlon Wood. He led
his men splendidly throughout the great attack of the 20th and 22nd
November. He has proved himself a gallant young officer, and I am
proud to have had him under my command. Both his fellow officers and
men join with me in most sincere sympathy for you and your family in
your bereavement.
Harrogate Herald - 9th January 1918
W H Breare letter
I get many of these happy moments. For instance, you remember the
3rd of May, when so many Beechwood Boys were missing? Well, Sergeant
Oswald Wharton has been missing since then. His mother came in to
see me on Saturday wreathed in smiles. I said, "Good
news?". She replied, "Yes". She then gave me a letter
from Sergeant Oswald Wharton saying he was a prisoner in Germany. I
had seen her before, and bid her to be of good faith. I asked her if
she had ever wavered in her mind regarding the fate of her son. She
replied, "No!". I added, "And you now have your
reward". Wharton has not yet received his clothes, but the
authorities say they were sent off immediately. This happy sequel to
all the trouble should make those who have not heard of their
missing boys more determined than ever to cling to hope. For six
years Wharton worked at The College, then went to the Adelphi. He is
engaged to a lady who bears the same name as himself, so he cannot
ask her to change her name when the happy event comes off. His
officer was Lieutenant Hanley Hutchinson, who later was killed.
SDGW
Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
5th battalion (Territorial)
Lt Hanley Hutchinson
Died of Wounds - 1st September 1917
