Harrogate Herald - 3rd March 1915

Corporal C D Birks, Toronto Regiment, 1st Canadian Expeditionary Force, writes :

Dear Sir, I hope you will excuse me for taking this privilege of writing to ask if you would mind sending a Harrogate paper over to some of us Harrogate boys, who left for Canada, and who so obediently answered the call to arms for the dear old country. There are quite a number of Harrogate lads in the Canadian contingent, and I am sure that your valuable paper would be much appreciated. My people sent me one a short while ago, and I certainly enjoyed reading the news of the dear old place. Also how it surprised me to see the number of chaps who had joined the colours in the various regiments, and I feel sure that Harrogate will do more than its share to stop "Bill the Baby Killer" from doing a lot more damage. We have been over here a little while now, and have had a day or two of trench life. Believe me, it is very comfortable considering. And you can tell anyone that has joined to come out here that life in a dugout is OK. The authorities study Tommy Atkins in every possible way. He may get it a bit rough sometimes, but that, of course, is all in the game. I happened to meet a Harrogate chap who had been out here some time. He looked in the pink. Henry Johnston it is, he lives somewhere in Oatlands. He is serving with the Army Service Corps. I would like to have had a long talk, but being on the move could not stay. Well, I hope to get another look at the good old Sulphurland after a while, also I would like to meet some more of my old town friends. So if you would make it known through your active service list I should be much obliged.

Yours respectfully,

C D Birks

(Late of 34 Valley Mount, Harrogate)

Harrogate Herald - 3rd March 1915

Serving with the Colours and receiving the Harrogate Herald every week

Corporal C D Birks, 15th Platoon, D Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Canadian Expeditionary Force, France

Harrogate Herald - 8th January 1919

January 6th, at St Mary's Church, Boston Spa, Private C D Birks, Canadian Grenadiers, a returned Prisoner of War, son of Mr and Mrs Birks, 34 Valley Mount, Harrogate, to Miss Jennie Stubbs, The Grove, Boston Spa.

Harrogate Herald - 8th January 1919

A pretty wedding took place at St Mary's Church, Boston Spa, on Monday between Miss J Stubbs, The Grove, Boston Spa, and Private C D Birks, Canadian Grenadiers, a returned Prisoner of War, son of Mr and Mrs Birks, 34 Valley Mount, Harrogate. The bride wore a dainty dress of ivory georgette and veil, and carried a shower bouquet. Mr H Stubbs, uncle of the bride, gave her away, and Miss F Smith, friend of the bride, and Miss E Birks, sister of the bridegroom, were bridesmaids. Lieutenant E Stewart acted as best man. The Rev G Glennie, vicar of St Mary's, Boston Spa, performed the ceremony. The service was choral, and Mr Frank Stubbs, cousin of the bride, presided at the organ. Later in the day the happy couple left for Scarborough, where the honeymoon will be spent.