Harrogate Herald - 5th December 1917
Roll of Honour
Second Lieutenant W Hutchinson, eldest son of
Mr & Mrs Hutchinson, 12 Grange Avenue, Harrogate, was
killed in action on November 22nd, near Bourlon Wood, whilst
gallantly leading his men. He was the grandson of Mrs Hutchinson,
of Sheriff Hutton, and Mrs Mills, Thornton-le-Clay, and only 22
years of age. Second Lieutenant Hutchinson joined the West
Yorks in September, 1914. With the Beechwood Boys he went to France
15th April, 1915, and was gassed in July. He came back to Blighty
with trench feet in November, 1915, and for a time was at the
Military Hospital, Southall. Returning to France June, 1916, he was
wounded at Thiepval at the taking of the Schwaben Redoubt in
September 1916. He came home for a commission in December, 1916,
trained at Bristol University, and returned to France on 20th July,
1917. He was apprenticed to Mr Harker, grocer, King's Road, before
enlisting.
Harrogate Herald - 19th December 1917
Roll of Honour
Mr Hutchinson, of 12 Grange Avenue,
Harrogate, has had a telegram from the Records Office, York,
confirming the death of his son, the late Second Lieutenant W
Hutchinson. His lieutenant writes : "Dear Mr Hutchinson,
Your letter to hand this morning. Now that the battalion is out of
line and at rest I find it easier to write to you and tell you all I
know in connection with the death of your son. It was between 7 and
8am when you son was in the act of sending up an SOS signal rocket,
when the enemy were counter-attacking us heavily near Bourlon
village, that he was hit in the head by a bullet from a machine gun.
He died instantaneously and could not possibly have suffered any
pain. His men, together with another platoon in my company, without
a doubt saved the situation that morning; and it was without a doubt
due to his example and leadership that helped them to do so well.
They would do anything for him, and he is a great loss to us all.
Please convey our most heartfelt sympathies to your family".
Harrogate Herald - 27th March 1918
W H Breare letter
Sergeant Waddington called to thank me on Friday morning. There
were other boys on leave with him, and the privilege was granted in
consideration of their valuable services in Italy. He is a member of
a gun corps. I am sorry to say that Waddington's father, who lives
in St Mary's Avenue, has been ill for some time. He had a seizure
lately necessitating his removal to the Infirmary for an operation,
which I trust, will result in complete restoration. My visitor saw
the son of Mr F Walker, of St Mary's Walk, in Italy just before he
came on leave, in France. He likewise saw Tom Spencer, another of
the Territorials who gallantly responded to his country's call. The
latter is on leave. One of Waddington's early associates he has
lost, namely : Second Lieutenant Hutchinson, of Harlow Hill,
likewise another old comrade whose name has escaped me.
SDGW
Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
5th Battalion (Territorial)
2Lt W Hutchinson
Killed in Action - 22nd November 1917
