Harrogate Herald - 25th April 1917

Lance Corporal C Foster MF Police, writes : 

It is with pleasure and yet regret I drop you these few lines. First of all, I will introduce myself. Before I say any more about myself I will get on with my object of writing. Whilst taking a walk around a cemetery here I noticed the grave of a soldier named Corporal C [This should be G] Elsworth, 1986, 5th West Yorks Regiment, who was killed on active service, June 20th, 1915. Seeing I know numerous people of that name in the old town Harrogate, I would very much like to you do me a favour by inserting in your valuable paper the particulars of the unfortunate soldier. Should he be a Harrogate boy, do my very best to tend the grave. Of course, there are other boys buried around him, but his grave took my eye. As stated above, I am a military policeman, and have more time than the less fortunate men who are in the trenches. Perhaps the parents of the deceased soldier would be very pleased to know someone was caring for him. A you will know, we have a special corps for that purpose, but I could pass away my spare moments by planting a few seed on the grave. After serving five years with the Territorials, I resigned and joined the West Riding Constabulary and was stationed at Castleford. I might say I have met several Harrogate men - names too numerous to mention. The Herald is sent to me every week, and I thoroughly enjoy reading it. After wishing you the best of health and luck, and your paper every success, I will close.