Harrogate Herald - 1st December 1915
Corporal G R Blackburn writes :
Being an old Knaresborian and a regular reader of
the old paper, I hope you will excuse me taking the liberty of
writing to you, and now, as our boys are doing, "getting to
business", I will do likewise. I have seen by the paper which I
have sent to me weekly by my wife, that you have been very kind to
the local lads by sending various articles out here. Seeing we have
formed a football club amongst the many companies around here, I
should take it as a great favour if you could supply us with a ball.
We have one that has done good service, but have had to pension it
off. There are one or two Leeds lads with this company, and others
from nearly all over England. I am very pleased to see so many young
men from around Harrogate Royal Engineers coming forward, but what
is wanted out here are men, and plenty of them. And now, dear Sir,
you will no doubt be wondering who and what I am, name, number, and
company, Corporal G R Blackburn (054419), 50th Northumbrian
Ammunition Sub Park, 337 Company (MT), Army Service Corps, British
Expeditionary Force. I am sorry to say I haven't run across any of
the lads I know, as it isn't often I get away to play football, as I
happen to be "Limb of the Law". It is rather a slow
occupation on the column as we have a decent set of fellows NCO's
and men, and very good officers too. Sorry there is no news I can
tell you, so will dry up. Wishing you and your paper the very best
of luck, and thanking you in anticipation.
Harrogate Herald - 1st December 1915
On Saturday morning I received a letter from Corporal
G R Blackburn, of the 50th Northumbrian Ammunition Column. He
wanted a football. I posted the last remaining one to him shortly
after. As there are a number of Harrogate boys in this lot, I trust
they will be pleased, and enjoy a game during their moments, and at
the same time remember out thoughts are with them.
Harrogate Herald - 29th December 1915
The committee of Knaresborough ladies who organised
a Xmas gift fund for sending parcels to local soldiers and sailors
with the expeditionary forces and on the high seas have been deeply
gratified and richly rewarded with a shoal of appreciative letters
received by Miss J M Alexander (hon. secretary) from the boys on
service for King and country. We have pleasure in inserting the
first batch, and others will be given in subsequent issues :
December 18th - To Miss Alexander, I beg to thank you and the
committee very kindly for the parcel and contents, which I received
on the 16th December. It was rather a pleasant surprise for me, and
really more than I expected to receive from the many unknown
friends. I may say it will be divided out between myself and five
others who share a room with me. At present we are in billets in a
very pleasant little village, and are making ourselves as
comfortable as possible, and under the circumstances we are doing
very well. Last Sunday the company held a concert, the artistes
being composed of our own men, and the proceeds to go to the
prisoners of war of this village. I must say the collection was
excellent, the amount being 137 Francs, or in English money, £5
15s. the Mayor and population were delighted both with the
performance and collection. We hope to be able to give another about
Christmas time, the proceeds for the wounded of the village; and now
before I close I must again thank you very much for your kindness.
Wishing you all a merry Xmas and a bright and prosperous New Year,
and jolly good luck to the old borough. I remain, yours gratefully, Corporal
G R Blackburn.
