Harrogate Herald - 7th November 1917

Roll of Honour

Private Frederick Long Fairburn (WY), one of the Beechwood Boys, who joined up in December, 1914, and went to France in April, 1915, was killed in action on October 9th. He was wounded previously in the big push on 1st July last year, and on recovering returned to France in January last. He is the brother of Mrs Wrightson, 46 Park Street, New Park, Harrogate, who has two other brothers serving with the colours, also her husband, and nephew of Mrs S Jackson, Quarry Lane, New Park, Harrogate. Private Charles Fairburn has been in the regular Army eight years, and with the Dragoon Guards in France three years. Sapper H Fairburn is in a searchlight section with the REs, and B Fairburn, another brother, has been twice rejected on account of age. Private T Wrightson joined the Army in September, 1915, and went to France with the Beechwood Boys. The official notice was accompanied by the King and Queen's message of sympathy. A comrade sympathising with the family says : "he died a hero's death"; and another says :"I always found him cheerful and happy under the most adverse circumstances. He cheered me and other comrades up when perhaps we felt the depressing effects of the continuous hardships and dangers. I am sure I am not saying too much when I say he was like a father to me while out in France". The writer expresses his own and his parents' sympathy with the bereaved family, and says he feels sure the officers and men of the battalion would like to join him in that expression. Deceased was employed for a number of years by the Harrogate Brickworks Company.