W H Breare letter

I had a call from Private W Pickard, son of Mr and Mrs Ernest Pickard, 7 Cheltenham Mount. He returns today (Tuesday). With him are Sergeant Archer, Bilton, and Sergeant Young, of Strawberrydale, likewise Private Fred Martlew. Pickard was in the Terriers before the war, and went out June, 1915. this is his first leave in two years. He has been well all the time, saving a year last Christmas, when he was in hospital with an abscess. You may remember that his cousin Victor was killed on the 3rd September in that memorable push.

Harrogate Herald - 31st October 1917

Roll of Honour

Private Fred Martlew (West Yorks), only son of Mrs Martlew, of Harrogate, after 2 1/2 years in France has made the supreme sacrifice. He was seriously wounded in the head and left leg, and a permit was sent to his mother to visit him, but unfortunately he breathed his last shortly before her arrival. She had the opportunity, however, of seeing him buried with full military honours along with five more comrades. He was 23 years of age. He had previously been wounded three times and "gassed".

Harrogate Herald - 28th November 1917

Roll of Honour

There is something pathetic in the following letter, as it was forwarded by a comrade to Private F Martlew, after he had made the supreme sacrifice. It will be remembered we reported at the end of last month that he died of wounds in France on October 21st.

France, 23rd October 1917

Dear Freddy - So you have now qualified for a fourth gold stripe. Well, I am very pleased it was not an RIP. Still, I hope it was not a very serious wound. The news concerning the old company is very meagre, but am hoping to hear more in the near future. I am informed that the following have been killed : Marsden, Percy and Frank Porter; and wounded : Major Jack Gallimore, and yourself. I can hardly realise that the three first mentioned will not meet me again. I think of each one and of the times we had! I have written to Major's home address, for I do not know whether he is in France or in England; and in your case I am not sure where you are. Jack Gallimore is in a York hospital. Well, I shall not say much of the business, for I cannot fully realise what you have to go through; but I know the spirit which carried us through the Somme affair would again manifest itself. Certainly this time I was in a comparatively safe place, but nevertheless I had you all in mind. Tooley Adamson is now a paid IC. You have now the lead in respect of gold stripes. Mother will be sorry to hear that "Caution" has had to temporarily relinquish his place at the Front. She often asks about you. Well, uncle must wind up now. Please let me know how you are and what your address is. Cheerioh - Yours sincerely, J N Smith.

Private Martlew's sister, Mrs Conley, Glenholme, Harrogate, would be pleased to hear from her late brother's comrades.