Harrogate Herald – 28th March 1917
W H Breare letter
Whilst on news of the boys, I can tell you that
Private Herbert Hardcastle, of the West Yorks, is in the Scottish
National Red Cross Hospital, Glasgow, with pneumonia. His sisters
have just called to ask if I can do anything to get him into a
hospital in Harrogate, as he is getting convalescent. Almost at the
same moment I received a letter from Mrs Allen, mother of Norman
Allen, who is at St George's Hospital here now, telling me that
her son, Rifleman Frank Allen, is progressing nicely, and is
able to come to Harrogate. He desires to get into St George's, if
possible, where his brother is. I have no doubt Mr Titley will help
me to bring this about if he can. Frank Allen, however, has
the first claim, because he applied some time since, but was not
well enough to be moved then. I hope, however, I shall be able to
manage it for Hardcastle. He comes from Beckwithshaw, and is a son
of Mr Hardcastle, farmer, there. His father is an old friend of
mine, and when I lived at Harlow Car he worked for us on that estate
to such effect that I shall never forget his skill and kindness
during that period of my life. Up to the present Hardcastle has been
seven weeks in hospital.
Harrogate Herald - 9th May 1917
W H Breare letter
I had a pleasant surprise today in an informal
reception at my office of three wounded soldiers from St George's,
all of whom I had assisted to get to Harrogate. First was Frank
Allen. I called him Fred last week, but then do you wonder I get
a little bit mixed with Christian names when I have so many boys? I
was delighted to see Allen looking so well. The second boy
was Edgar Emmerson, of Pannal, son of Mrs R Emmerson. You will call
him to mind, perhaps, when I tell you that he worked for William
Stott, of Beckwithshaw. Then there was G Topham, son of Mrs T
Topham, Church Terrace, Bilton, whom, you will remember, I mentioned
before as being in the Metropolitan Hospital, London. Topham worked
for C Nettleton, contractor, Harrogate, before the war. I was sorry
to hear from Topham that his brother Thomas was admitted to hospital
last Wednesday, suffering from septic poisoning. He had not been
able to move for four days. It is in France that he is in hospital.
He went out in June. Allen reminded me of one of my boys who
had fallen, S Potts. It seems he was a comrade of Allen's,
and when the latter was wounded he stopped to help Allen.
Whilst doing so he received a wound, but not a serious one. He went
to the rear, and on his way must have fallen. I am glad for Allen's
sake that Potts did not meet his death, when rendering aid to his
pal. These three boys were able to stop with me quite a while, so
that we had a jolly chat. They are full of admiration for St
George's, the matron, and the staff, and deeply impressed with the
simple graciousness of the Grand Duchess. I could realise even more
from the manner of these boys in expressing their gratitude than
from the words. I could see in their faces the spirit of happy
contentment when they even thought of St George's.
Harrogate Herald - 30th May 1917
W H Breare letter
Frank Allen has been transferred from St George's to St
Nicholas, where he has had a further operation. I am glad to say he
is going on nicely.
