Harrogate Herald - 9th May 1917

Private James Clark writes : 

I take the pleasure of writing a few lines to let you know that I am still living. We have had a very busy time lately. I think we gave Fritz a big surprise on Easter Monday when we took Vimy Ridge from him. He thought it could not be done, but we "k'nuts" thought otherwise. No doubt you or some of your readers will know C Hargreaves. He used to drive a cab and lived in Regent Avenue. I am sorry to say he got killed; also Arthur Halliday got wounded. The latter lived at New Park, so I am the only Harrogate lad in our battalion now. I met a man I used to go to school with a few weeks back. They call him Reynard. He is in the signallers (Canadians). It was a great pleasure to meet one from the old town. We were just coming out of the trenches. I would like to get Jack Ibbitson's address if anyone could give it to me. Reynard told me it, but I forgot it. We used to be great chums, but lost track of each other. If this weather lasts I don't think the Hun can stand out much longer, as we are driving him back every day. Wishing you and all the boys the best of success. PS - I get the paper regularly, and I enjoy your letters to the boys the most.

Harrogate Herald - 18th July 1917

W H Breare letter

Private J Clarke, of the 107th Canadians was discharged from hospital on Saturday, the 7th. He had been wounded in the arm on the 7th of May, and had been sent to Lady Onslow's Hospital, Blendon Park, Guildford. Being on ten days' leave he came in to see me. It was shrapnel that did the business for him. He is a son of Mr J Clarke, of Belmont Street, who worked thirty years on the Duchy Estate for David Simpson. Young Clarke, my soldier friend, went out to Canada eight years ago, where he was living at Estevan before the war. He told me, speaking about comrades, that Arthur Holliday, son of Sam Holliday, out-porter, was wounded on the 9th April, and in hospital in this country. Then there were two friends, Charlie Hargreaves and J Smith, both of whom have been killed. Hargreaves used to drive a cab in Harrogate; Smith's father was a plumber at New Park. Clarke's brother George was killed on the 27th of June, 1916.