Harrogate Herald - 16th May 1917

W H Breare letter

We have a linotype machine standing idle, because we have lost the man who worked it before he was called up for the Army. That same man is now Gunner W Wiley, of the RGA, stationed with a battery in Scotland. He went there after a fortnight at Ripon. Wiley came in to see me this morning, and I was glad to hear him say he was "never better" and enjoying the life. His comrades include H Gill, who was formerly employed at Mr A Preston's picture frame shop in Oxford Street; A Bell, of New Park, who worked at Standing's; and Wood, Oatlands Mount, formerly employed at the Post Office, West Park; Robson, another Harrogate lad, was with Wiley in another battery. Wiley's military experience has certainly improved his physical appearance. He is as straight as a die, and looks the picture of health. It is gratifying when the boys take to it like that, isn't it? his linotype machine is still idle, for it is impossible to get a new hand. That machine standing idle is costing us £300 a year; still we do not grumble. We have all to do our bit, in our various ways.

Harrogate Herald - 11th July 1917

W H Breare letter

Sergeant Dobby, of one of the West Yorks regiments, who had arrived on ten days' leave, came in to see me. In conversation he assured me that any feeling of unrest or despondency at home affected the spirits of the boys at the Front. By the way, it is twenty months since Dobby had his last leave. He has been in Egypt, but was transferred to France. He has seen a number of Harrogate boys, for instance, Lancaster, Sibson, Sharpe, Ashby, Robson, all Starbeck lads, where Dobby comes from. At Thiepval Dobby was buried for thirty minutes as a result of an upheaval from a shell. When he called he was wearing the ribbon of the Italian Medal, which he won on the Somme. His home address is 25 Diamond Place.