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.