Harrogate Herald - 17th January 1917

Letters

Private Frank Croft writes : 

Just a few lines to let you know that I am still alive. You will see by the address that I am at my base again. Excuse me not writing before. I suppose I must tell the same old tale - "Awfully busy". Anyhow, this letter is being written at a most unearthly hour. It is now 2 am, and they will be singing out for the next sentry very soon, so let me fill one page for you if I van. I got a very pleasant surprise while in hospital this time. I had the good fortune to drop across a Harrogate chap. You will most likely know him. His name is Oddy, and he lives in Providence Terrace. His father had a hairdressers shop in Station Parade some time ago. he will be in Blighty now. We had some good time together. How he wanted a Harrogate paper. He asked me if I had got one almost every time I passed him. By the way, I have only had one sent down from the battalion. Perhaps they enjoy it as well s I. Please don't alter the address. I expect joining the again very soon now. May I, if I am not too late, wish you, you wife, staff, and all connected with sending the paper, every success this New Year. Hoping this finds you all in the best of health.

Harrogate Herald - 2nd May 1917

W H Breare letter

I had news from lots of Harrogate boys when Private G Eaddie, RAMC, came in last Friday, from Elmwood Street. He has been out since July 4th, 1915. Before the war he was twelve years with Maxwell Grayson, wine merchants, James Street. Of the six lads who enlisted and went out with him, only one remains, and that is Wood. Eaddie has been at the Dardanelles, Suvla Bay, Egypt, and now France. He came home on leave on Tuesday of last week, and returns today. He met Johnson, who worked for Knowles, wine merchant, Parliament Street; likewise E Tindall, who was with us; Sergeant Birkhill, J W Smith, H Lockwood, who, by the way, is reported missing, and Dent, named "Major", as well as Oddy, Ted's son. The last two he saw only three weeks ago, and they wee well. Then he has seen Harry Robinson, Taylor, Syd Dawson, and Simpson. Robinson and Simpson were in the Salvage Corps. Eaddie met Frank Jackson at Suvla Bay, and was the only Harrogate man Jackson had met. Eaddie attended the ambulance classes, with Jackson, under Dr Campbell Ward. Although the last two soldiers were training in Sheffield at the same time, they never saw each other until Suvla Bay. Private Eaddie wishes to be remembered to all his old friends, wherever they may be.