Harrogate Herald - 30th May 1917

W H Breare letter

You remember Mr Douglas Blair. He is of what was the old York City Bank, now, I believe, the London Joint Stock. He joined on Monday the Garrison Artillery, and went that day to Ripon for preliminary training. You all know the George Hotel. Well, Mr Robertson, the manager, has also been called up. He put in his preliminary training as a private in Ripon. He has been moved elsewhere in a draft. Sam Hempsall, tenor, and Mr Willie Hudson, of Hudson Brothers, ironmongers,

who are both in the Garrison Artillery, and training at Ripon, have been made bombardiers. Both were in Harrogate last week-end. Mr Hempsall sang the anthem, "Seek ye the Lord", at the Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning, much to the satisfaction of a large congregation.

Harrogate Herald - 13th June 1917

W H Breare letter

Douglas Blair has been spending the weekend in Harrogate. He came in to see me, and I was pleased to find him looking so bright and jolly. At present he has had a suitable job; in fact, he is a round man in a round hole, which is as it should be.

Harrogate Herald - 31st October 1917

W H Breare letter

I had Douglas Blair in to see me the other day to say that he is being transferred from Ripon to important work in Ireland in connection with the Army. He was as jolly as ever, and looking as if life agreed with him. He is going to a place that will not be quite so lively as Ripon, but he is content knowing that his usefulness will thereby be increased.

Harrogate Herald - 5th December 1917

W H Breare letter

I have had a letter from Douglas Blair. To recall him to your minds I will remind you that he was at the York City and County Bank, in James Street (now London Joint Stock Bank), and a prominent member of out Harrogate Amateurs. As I told you, he is in Ireland on special duty. I am glad to hear that he is amongst a merry crowd, and it will be all the merrier, I'm sure by Blair's presence. He is 8½ miles from a village, so there is need of entertainment. He has started a small convert party, and their shows have been a great success. They have had invitations to perform to soldiers not far from them. When he wrote they were just on a tour of three concerts. I also had a letter this morning from Sam Hempsall, he of the tenor voice. I haven't heard from him for some time, he has been so busy. He is still gas instructor, but now and then his voice is lent out to other camps. For instance, last Saturday and Sunday he made a hurried visit to Ripon and sang there. This was the result of pressing invitations to his command to allow Hempsall to come and cheer them up.