Harrogate Herald - 17th January 1917
Letters
Robert H Auton writes :
Dear Sir, After reading several letters in your last
issue, I though a few lines to you might be interesting to others
giving an account of our Xmas in "Somewhere" also the
question of traders, where some of the boys have not received a
Christmas parcel, which is no fault of theirs. In this battalion
there are two of us - George Weatherhead and myself - who did
not share in the hospitality of your generous subscribers. By the
way, I would like to correct the Company I am in. It is D Company.
The paper is generally addressed G Company, and as a rule I get it a
day later, Sunday evening being the usual time of delivery. Xmas day
opened out rather rough, but towards midday it became calmer, and
although cold was not inconvenient. Owing to lack of convenience in
the village where we happened to be, the Xmas festivities had to be
split up on various nights, our company's night being Saturday,
December 23rd, 1916, the day being spent in various duties by the
company. At five o'clock they sat down to a good dinner consisting
of roast pork, apple sauce, potatoes, cabbage, onion stuffing,
followed by a nice helping of Xmas pudding and rum sauce, everyone
getting a good share and satisfaction. Later in the evening in the
village school a concert, the artists being drawn from the company,
ended a very pleasant evening, and before retiring for the night we
were served with hot coffee and rum. Other companies took their
turn, taking nearly a week before the festivities came to an end. We
are favoured with some good officers, who look after their men's
comfort at all times. I read your letter to the boys every week, and
find it very interesting; also we have a lot to be thankful for in
having such a champion at home, who studies the wants of the boys
from week to week, and not only studies, but whose magnetism
supplies those wants, and wins the hearts of the public in
Harrogate. The weather out here at present is of a varied type,
plenty of high winds and rain, making it very uncomfortable in the
trenches and underfoot for marching. We were fortunate to spend Xmas
out of the trenches, which made it more pleasant for us, but there
were many who did not, and I trust it was made for them as
comfortable as possible, of which I have no doubt. We are looking
forward, now that the Mother Country has woke up, to a speedy end to
this terrible warfare, and once again to return to our homes, having
fulfilled the mission entrusted to us. So, if rather late, I wish
through you to others a happy New Year.
Harrogate Herald - 25th April 1917
Letters
Robert H Auton writes :
After many weeks at various addresses I have found
the Herald following on, but as now I am back with the battalion you
might revert to the first address. The Herald affords me many hours
of reading whilst in hospital, convalescent camp and base before
here. Before proceeding further, I should like to express my thanks
to the Red Cross Institution for the many kindnesses shown to me
whilst in their care, the smooth working of which is a marvel of
organisation and a lasting debt to the British Tommy. To be between
clean and white linen was heaven after leaving the trenches, and the
few weeks rest was a Godsend indeed, although through the winter I
never suffered from cold feet until I emerged from hospital. Prior
to going in we had some trouble in respect to the weather. Water
frozen, sometimes days without being able to wash; even bread and
bully beef in the tins were frozen, so severe it was. after a week
or two at the base I was returned to duty, and after a short time in
the trenches we are out on rest for a few days, so the opportunity
of writing a few lines I seized. I am better of the wound, but my
nerves are very shaky yet, but hope to improve as time goes on.
Today our division has completed two years' service, and now
naturally all are asking "How long" before the dawn? George
Weatherhead and Lance Corporal Bailes are still here and fit. I
had the pleasure of meeting Sergeant Chris Topham last night, and
had a cheery talk with him. At the base I found my old pal Jack
Baxter still busy with the mails for the boys, and he is in the
pink. Economy being the watchword at present, I will close. With
kindest regards.
Harrogate Herald - 7th November 1917
Roll of Honour
Private G Weatherhead (West Yorks), fourth
son of Mr & Mrs J Weatherhead, Forest View, Starbeck, is
in hospital in France suffering from gunshot wounds in the abdomen.
Before enlisting Private Weathehead was a Starbeck postman,
and has been out in France eighteen months.
Harrogate Herald - 28th November 1917
W H Breare letter
Private Robert Auton, of the West Yorks, eldest son of Mr H W
Auton, is home on leave and came to see me. Whilst at the Front he
was slightly wounded in the head in January, but is about right now.
Tom Bailes, who was killed in October, was with him in his lot, also
George Weatherhead, of Starbeck, who was wounded. Alf Brown's
son, of Regent Avenue, is also in his company. Auton's brother is in
Salonica. Had malaria, but returned to his battery. Later, Auton
came in to tell me that since he was at my office his dear mother
has died. He was anxious to obtain an extension of leave for the
funeral, and so I have written him a letter testifying to the death
of his mother as witness that this was a bona-fide case deserving of
consideration.
