Harrogate Herald - 14th April 1915
Photos
Local Lads on Active Service
Gunner F Padgett, Royal Field Artillery
Harrogate Herald - 24th November 1915
The following write : "I am quite well. I have
received the papers. Letter follows at first opportunity", or
express thanks for the Herald :
Gunner F Padgett
J Padgett
Harrogate Herald - 8th December 1915
Gunner F Padgett, of Royal Field Artillery,
says :
Just a few lines to thank you for the Herald which I
receive each week. I have had two or three letters from my pals out
here which I should not have received if it had not been for the
Herald. My battery is resting at present, but we expect to be in
action any time. The sooner the better, as we get so fed up doing
nothing. I like to be giving the Germans a few shells. Could you
supply me with a melodeon, as we have not much to amuse ourselves
with, and it would help to keep our spirits up. As you know, we do
not get many comforts out here, and Christmas will be here soon and
we are all hoping to have a jolly time. I must close, hoping you
will do me this kind favour.
Harrogate Herald - 8th December 1915
Wednesday Gossip
Gunner F Padgett, 71476, Royal Field
Artillery, C Battery, 10th Brigade, British Expeditionary Force, is
desirous of obtaining a melodeon. Can any one of my readers help him
and his comrades in this direction?
Harrogate Herald - 10th January 1917
The following are men who have sent us the Army
post-card briefly stating that they are well and have received
papers and parcels, or whose letters contain views that have
repeatedly been expressed by other correspondents, but show their
friends that they are all right :
Gunner F Padgett (greetings)
Harrogate Herald - 9th May 1917
A R Hubbard writes :
Having seen quite a lot of chaps getting jolly good
things from Mr Breare and Harrogate people in general, I take the
liberty of writing to ask if you could supply me with a stove
suitable for boiling a drop of water for cocoa, tea, etc. We often
get to places where we could use a stove, whereas we must, on no
account, light a fire. You have no idea how nice a drink of tea is
in the middle of the night, and how we look forward to one, but
sorry to say often get disappointed. If we go out on a working
party, sometimes the Army supply us with a drink, but it isn't a
regular thing, so I am writing to you to help me to obtain this;
then I can have a drink when I like. I am in the trenches (Sunday
morning), sun shining and fairly arm. My word, how pleased we are to
feel the warmth of the sun after the bitter cold weather we have
had. I should like to ask if you would through the medium of your
paper remember me to Fred Padgett, Frank Leggett, Jack Cooper
and Alf Exelby, all "Monkeytown" [Oatlands] chaps. If this
should catch the eye of anyone who has more toffee or sweets than
they can eat, would they please send them along. We don't get much
sweet stuff, and a few sweets are very enjoyable, so hope I shall be
lucky. So keep smiling and thanking you in anticipation.
Harrogate Herald - 9th May 1917
Gunner F Padgett writes :
Just a few lines to thank you for the watch, which I
received through you from Mr Shires, of Parliament Street [John E
Shires, cycle dealer and athletic outfitter, 31 Parliament Street].
I am writing to thank him today. I am sending you a photo of myself
and my chum. We had it taken out here. I am holding the Herald in my
hand. I must close now, as we are so very busy. Again thanking you
for your kindness.
Harrogate Herald - 20th June 1917
Roll of Honour
Mrs Padgett, 36 Mount Street, Oatlands Mount,
Harrogate, has received intimation that her son, Gunner Fred
Padgett, was killed in France on the 21st inst. A letter from
his Major says :
"Dear Mrs Padgett, You will by this time
have heard from the War Office that your son was killed in action
out here on the 21st of this month. I am writing to you as his
commanding officer to tell you how deeply both myself and all the
officers and men of this battery sympathise with you in your loss.
If it is any consolation to you in your sorrow, I am able to tell
you that your son died gallantly doing his duty; he was killed by a
German shell, and his death must have been instantaneous so that he
felt no pain. His body was little injured, and he will be buried
near to where he fell. You son was a good and gallant soldier, liked
by everyone, officers and men, and his loss will be severely felt in
this battery. I can only add once more that we all feel for you in
your grief, and that you have all our heartfelt sympathy".
W H Breare letter
I lament to say that my soldier friend Gunner F
Padgett (the only son of his mother) has been killed in action.
His mother, who lives at 36 Mount Street, Oatlands, has heard that
he was killed instantly by a German shell and suffered no pain.
Harrogate Herald - 11th July 1917
W H Breare letter
Corporal S Sm A Suffield, 50th Battalion, RFA, is a
son of Mr J Suffield, 18 Ashfield Terrace, Harrogate, van driver for
the NER. The son has been nine years in the regular Army nearly
three years, next month, in France. His last leave was in November,
1915. You will remember Padgett. He was Suffield's best chum,
and was killed the other week. My visitor had seen our old friend
Patsy Donovan; Sergeant Elsworth, RE, son of Mr Elsworth,
blacksmith, Tower Street; Frank Leggatt, of Oatlands and the
Somerset Light Infantry; and Fred Ward. The latter he had not seen
since the Somme last year. Ward is a son of our clever Corporation
head gardener. Mr H Ward, who, you will remember with regret, had a
son killed at the front. Suffield also saw, about six weeks ago,
Gibson, of the West Yorks, who lived at High Harrogate. His brother
Corporal H Suffield, of the West Yorks, has been wounded for the
third time. The last occasion through the ankle. He is in hospital
in London. When he received his third wound he had only been back
from leave, after his second wound, a short time, when caught again.
Harrogate Herald - 18th July 1917
W H Breare letter
Gunner F Padgett was one of seven of my
soldier boys who were together in the same regiment. You will
remember with the same regret that I do his death. On Monday I was
privileged to see a letter from one of his comrades describing how
he died. I will quote his friend's words : "He was sent on a
bicycle from the guns with a message. On his return journey the
enemy was shelling the road. He was hit, where, I could not say, and
died instantly, suffering no pain whatsoever. He was buried about
eight or nine miles behind the firing line in a churchyard. I would
like to mention the place, but the censor won't allow it. We have
erected a cross in memory of him. Fred and myself were great
friends, in fact, he was a friend of everyone in the battalion; so
you can imagine how he is missed by us".
Harrogate Herald – 19th May 1920
In loving memory of a dear son and brother, Gunner F Padgett, RFA, killed in action May 21st, 1917 – From his loving
mother and sisters.
