Harrogate Herald – 23rd May 1917

W H Breare letter

Before I started to dictate my letter to you this morning I had my customary five minutes walk in front of our buildings. One of the cabmen on the rank in front came and told me that his third son had been dangerously wounded. He had not heard from the War Office, but received a letter from the boy's officer. He was in much trouble. You will see all we can tell you in another part of the Herald. The father's name is Jenkinson. You will remember him. He used to live up Pannal Ash Road, and was for a long time coachman at the Beechwood Hotel. He now drives his own cab. Of course he is of advanced years now, but I knew him when he was a lithe, powerful, energetic young man with life in all its hope before him. I am sorry for his trouble, but I trust that the skill of our surgeons will save the boy. I ought not to mention the name of the unit, but you will know the one I mean when I say he is one of the Beechwood Boys. they were in training in this country a very long time. they thought they were never going to get out. They eventually went, and though late in the field they have made up for it. they have done brilliant work, but I am sorry to say have met with the casualties that come to some of the bravest and most pushful of our boys at the Front.

Harrogate Herald - 30th May 1917

W H Breare letter

I told you last week that J W Jenkinson was ill in hospital (seriously so). Notice has just come from the military authorities saying that he is at 32nd Stationary Hospital, Wimereux, France, suffering from shell wounds in head, fractured skull. There is a footnote which says it is regretted that permission to visit cannot be granted. I take this as a good sign, because when there is no hope for a boy, his friends are summoned to attend his bedside. As I read it, he is not in such danger as that. I hope I am right in my deduction.

Photo Page

Wounded - Private J W Jenkinson, West Yorks, son of Mr and Mrs William Jenkinson, 151 Cold Bath Road, Harrogate, has been wounded in the head.

Harrogate Herald - 13th June 1917

W H Breare letter

My friend in Boulogne wired me on Thursday that Mawson left for England on the 28th, and that Jenkinson, the son of the cab proprietor I told you about, was leaving for England immediately. It was very nice to receive this telegram. I went at once to the cab rank opposite where Jenkinson's father stands to find him, but was sorry to hear he was home ill, and had not been able to turn out, even at Whitsuntide. I consulted the good hearted cabbies there, and they agreed they would get the information to the father, so I hope the news will have cheered him up and hastened his recovery.

Harrogate Herald - 4th July 1917

W H Breare letter

I have heard something to show me that our skilful Army surgeons have large hearts and deep sympathies. Saturday was Alexandra Rose Day, and I was pleased to see once more Jenkinson, fully recovered, on his cab. He reminded me that I was the first to send him word that his son was in hospital in France wounded. It was some time after that he got notice from the authorities. Since then he has not heard from him, but with one notable exception. It seems the doctor who operated on him happened to find himself in Harrogate. He looked up the directory, and discovering Jenkinson's address called to see him. Now, wasn't that a kind action on the surgeon's part? The old man feels it so very deeply, ands it is correspondingly grateful. The father is anxious to have more news of his son, and if any of you boys can give any information, will you do so? Up to the time of Dictaphoning he has not had any letter direct from him or from any of the doctors or nursing staff. He is in England somewhere.