Harrogate Herald - 28th March 1917

W H Breare letter

Whilst on news of the boys, I can tell you that Private Herbert Hardcastle, of the West Yorks, is in the Scottish National Red Cross Hospital, Glasgow, with pneumonia. His sisters have just called to ask if I can do anything to get him into a hospital in Harrogate, as he is getting convalescent. Almost at the same moment I received a letter from Mrs Allen, mother of Norman Allen, who is at St George's Hospital here now, telling me that her son, Rifleman Frank Allen, is progressing nicely, and is able to come to Harrogate. He desires to get into St George's, if possible, where his brother is. I have no doubt Mr Titley will help me to bring this about if he can. Frank Allen, however, has the first claim, because he applied some time since, but was not well enough to be moved then. I hope, however, I shall be able to manage it for Hardcastle. He comes from Beckwithshaw, and is a son of Mr Hardcastle, farmer, there. His father is an old friend of mine, and when I lived at Harlow Car he worked for us on that estate to such effect that I shall never forget his skill and kindness during that period of my life. Up to the present Hardcastle has been seven weeks in hospital.