Harrogate Herald - 14th March 1917

W H Breare letter

Sam Hempsall, the well-known tenor, who has been some time on projectiles, has been called up for military service. He would have gone before, but would have had to leave at home a delicate wife (Rachel James, the singer). She died just before Xmas, you will remember. Willie Hudson, of Hudson Brothers, ironmongers, has been on projectiles, but is now also called up. He has a wife and three children.

Harrogate Herald - 30th May 1917

W H Breare letter

You remember Mr Douglas Blair. He is of what was the old York City Bank, now, I believe, the London Joint Stock. He joined on Monday the Garrison Artillery, and went that day to Ripon for preliminary training. You all know the George Hotel. Well, Mr Robertson, the manager, has also been called up. He put in his preliminary training as a private in Ripon. He has been moved elsewhere in a draft. Sam Hempsall, tenor, and Mr Willie Hudson, of Hudson Brothers, ironmongers, who are both in the Garrison Artillery, and training at Ripon, have been made bombardiers. Both were in Harrogate last week-end. Mr Hempsall sang the anthem, "Seek ye the Lord", at the Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning, much to the satisfaction of a large congregation.

Harrogate Herald - 7th November 1917

W H Breare letter

Willie Hudson (I ought to say Bombardier Hudson), of the Garrison Artillery, a member of the firm of Hudson Brothers, ironmongers, has recently been home on leave. Unfortunately I did not happen to see him.