Harrogate Herald - 10th February 1915

W H Breare letter

My desire is to cheer and interest you boys, but I know you are men enough to want to read of the shadows in our existence, as well as the sunshine. I shall not keep anything back that I think you ought, or would like to know. Therefore I tell you that Harrogate has two men at the Front. I have only just heard the sad news. One is Lieutenant Oscar Addyman, son of the late J W Addyman and Mrs St John of White House, Starbeck. He was killed in action. The other is a son of Mr Ransome, who was for so many years coachman to Dr J Gordon Black.

Young Addyman's father and his father before him lived in that big house that stood surrounded by many open acres on the right side of Starbeck village street, going to Knaresborough. The deceased's father was a solicitor, practising in Leeds. He was a tall, well-built, rather light-haired man who had the fluent gift of speech, and was an active politician on the Liberal side. His widow married Mr St John. I cannot tell you anything about Lieutenant Addyman as I never knew him. You see he spent most of his life in Leeds. I believe it is only recently that his mother again resumed residence in Starbeck.

You will remember Ransome's father when I remind you that he wore light-coloured livery and drove a pair of horses in a brougham about Harrogate, and stabled in York Road, next door to the Harrogate Hydro. I am very sorry for the bereaved father, whom I have always respected. He is one of those men you can respect - unfailing in their attention to duty, solid, industrious, and cheerful. You know! The kind that makes us proud of our race, from top to bottom, as they say. Between you and me, when I think of you boys I am surer than ever that the race is most all "top". At any rate, it is not birth, wealth, or position that makes the man. The principal ingredient is the "stuff" you boys are showing.

Claro Times - 13th February 1915

General regret is expressed at the news of the death of Sergeant W E Ransome, of the 1st Dorsetshire Regiment, son of Mr and Mrs T Ransome, Harrogate. Sergeant Ransome was amongst the first contingent of the Expeditionary Force to land in France, and was wounded in the fierce encounter at Mons. When convalescent he returned to his home at Harrogate for a few weeks, and had only a short time ago returned to the Front.