Harrogate Herald - 13th January 1915
W H Breare letter
I had an agreeable surprise on Thursday afternoon. A
smart soldier, looking well bronzed by service exposure, came into
my office to thank me for the Harrogate Heralds and articles of
comfort which had been sent him. It was Corporal Walter Elsworth,
of the Royal Engineers. He ad been granted a few days' leave and was
due back the next day. He was on his way to the pictures. Corporal
Elsworth is a typical Tommy, calm, unruffled, with set purpose
playing in strong lines about his firm mouth. It is astonishing how
object and undemonstrative are soldiers are. Cool as a cucumber.
They make no fuss, yet one is impressed by their stolidity and
determination. Elsworth has none of the mock heroics about
him. He admitted candidly it was more comfortable at home, and he
was not full of yearning desire to be back at the Front. He knows
what the word "duty" means, and is determined to fulfil
his obligations to the State. He is ready.
To show how perfect is the Army's transportation. On
Tuesday morning at four o'clock he was in the trenches, busy with
the enemy. At five o'clock in the evening of the same day he was in
London.
The wave of patriotism and appreciation of our
soldiers is such that we can hardly imagine there are isolated
people who are unmoved by these sentiments. An incident to the point
is interesting. Corporal Elsworth arrived in the metropolis
just as he left the trenches, with the marks of the struggle all
over his uniform and kit. It was plain to be seen where he had come
from, and, that lately. He jumped into a General motor bus to pay a
first call on is sweetheart in a distant part of London. He had
nothing but French money. When the conductor called for his fare he
asked if he would take French coin as he had nothing else. The
manner of the conductor wasn't accommodating, not to say aggressive.
"That won't pay my wages", said the conductor. "If
you haven't English money that isn't my fault, and you will have to
get out". "Will any lady or gentleman exchange English for
French copper?", said Elsworth. Immediately every lady
and gentleman in the bus stood up clamouring to be first to oblige
the soldier. He did not walk, but he was quietly resentful of the
brutal treatment of th bus conductor. He had had some awful
experiences which I do not feel disposed to relate in detail.
His first introduction to German shells was on his
return from laying wires. He was told to be careful at the cross
roads, as the Germans realised they had four chances to one and were
continuously shelling these. He retraced his steps. With the usual
indifference to danger of our boys, he thought nothing more of
shells and cross roads. It was dark. At one point a shell crossed
his path. "Cross roads", said he. No sooner had he given
expression to the thought than he stumbled over an object. One of
our boys lay prone. The pulse was still. A yard or two further
another inanimate form on the mud furrowed road. Both victims were
beyond help. He remembered cross roads and hastened.
Elsworth told me that the Government were
very liberal with woollen things, that there were a plethora of
mitts, scarves, etc. his lot had but one blanket and an oilskin
each. A wet blanket is not conducive to comfort. It's then that an
extra, and dry one, as appreciated. There is need of blankets. Of
cigarettes there is a prodigal supply - too many. The want is for
something to stop that "tickling". An epidemic in the form
of laryngitis at home and amongst the soldiers at the Front is
prevalent. When the period of sleep comes, sleep does not of
necessity come with it, because of that tickling in the throat which
heralds a cold. A few lozenges to stop this, such as the Liverpool
throat lozenges, would enable our tired men to find release from
throat irritation and afford them sleep. Toffee instead of
chocolate, mint bullets as a change after the German article would
afford relief. Elsworth returned to the Front last Friday.
Harrogate Herald - 9th May 1917
The following are men who have sent us the Army
post-card briefly stating that they are well and have received
papers and parcels, or whose letters contain views that have
repeatedly been expressed by other correspondents, but show their
friends that they are all right :
Sergeant W Elsworth
Harrogate Herald - 11th July 1917
W H Breare letter
Corporal S Sm A Suffield, 50th Battalion, RFA, is a
son of Mr J Suffield, 18 Ashfield Terrace, Harrogate, van driver for
the NER. The son has been nine years in the regular Army nearly
three years, next month, in France. His last lave was in November,
1915. you will remember Padgett. He was Suffield's best chum, and
was killed the other week. My visitor had seen our old friend Patsy
Donovan; Sergeant Elsworth, RE, son of Mr Elsworth,
blacksmith, Tower Street; Frank Leggatt, of Oatlands and the
Somerset Light Infantry; and Fred Ward. The latter he had not seen
since the Somme last year. Ward is a son of our clever Corporation
head gardener. Mr H Ward, who, you will remember with regret, had a
son killed at the front. Suffield also saw, about six weeks ago,
Gibson, of the West Yorks, who lived at High Harrogate. His brother
Corporal H Suffield, of the West Yorks, has been wounded for the
third time. The last occasion through the ankle. He is in hospital
in London. When he received his third wound he had only been back
from leave, after his second wound, a short time, when caught again.
Harrogate Herald - 5th September 1917
W H Breare letter
The other evening I had a visit from another newly
married couple : Sergt W Elsworth and his wife. Elsworth
was only wed a week last Saturday to Miss Ethel Tanner, of London. I
have written about Elsworth before, so you will know who I
mean, especially when I tell you that early on he was out in the
East, as a signaller I believe, and belongs to the Regular Army. Elsworth
has seen Tom Shaw, son of Harry Shaw, of Albert Terrace; Sergt
Drummer Proctor, of the Beechwood boys, and his own brother, Horace,
several times. I was pleased to see Elsworth again, likewise
to meet his wife, and I hope that they will have a long and happy
married life.
Harrogate Herald - 12th December 1917
W H Breare letter
"Still smiling and content", writes Sergeant
W Elsworth from the Italian front.
Harrogate Herald - 2nd January 1918
The following are men who have sent us the Army
post-card briefly stating that they are well and have received
papers and parcels, or whose letters contain views that have
repeatedly been expressed by other correspondents, but show their
friends that they are all right :
Sergeant W Elsworth
Harrogate Herald - 17th April 1918
Following have sent postcards thanking for the
Herald and briefly stating they are well :
Sergeant W Elsworth
Harrogate Herald - 25th December 1918
I have received the season's greetings from the
following : Sergeant W E Elsworth, G Atkinson, Sapper J N
Britton, Private E Stockdale, Driver Archie Taylor, Lance Corporal J
Padgett, Private G Marshall, Driver A Wilson.
Harrogate Herald – 15th January 1919
Sergeant Elsworth, RE, son of Mrs Elsworth,
Robert Street, Harrogate, has been granted the Meritorious Service
Medal and has already received the ribbon. This makes a total of six
honours conferred on the gallant soldier, who received a card for
gallantry, was three times mentioned in despatches, Meritorious
Service Medal, and the Mons Star.
Harrogate Herald – 29th January 1919
[ Photo ]
Sergeant W Elsworth, RE, son of Mrs Elsworth,
Robert Street, Harrogate, has been granted the MSM.
