Harrogate Herald - 20th September 1916

D Macklin, of HMAS Australia, writes : 

Just a few lines to let you know I am still alive and kicking. I see by the paper received from home yesterday that Lieutenant D Bell has gained the VC, but it is a great pity he did not live to wear it. I knew him when I used to go to the YMCA, but it is some years since I saw him last. Harrogate has need to be proud of him, as it is such men as he that are keeping the old flag flying. It will be a great loss to his wife and I am sure she has the deepest sympathy of all. I also notice by the paper what a lot of old YM boys have fallen, many of whom I knew well. We are still jogging along doing the same old thing day after day, with no sign of the German Fleet coming out. But we still have hopes and the next time they won't get back so easily. I have seen Tom Fletcher several times this last few months, as he is in the same fleet, but I have not come across any other Harrogate chaps. And now I must close, wishing you every success.

Harrogate Herald - 25th July 1917

W H Breare letter

With Ushaw came Able Seaman T Fletcher, who was having leave. His last jaunt home was eighteen months ago. He is on ten days' leave, and has been 5½ years in the Navy. He is a brother of Miss Mary Fletcher, 19 Belmont Avenue. Fletcher saw George Stephenson some time ago, but he had not seen Tom for three years. Fletcher would like his friends to know that he is well. He made enquiries of me for the address of Dawson, of Oatlands, who is somewhere in the navy. I was not able to tell him, but perhaps Dawson will let me know, and Fletcher will find out his address from the Herald. Darrall Macklin, he told me, was an officer's steward. Macklin's father was at one time caretaker of the Liberal Club, Harrogate. I had seen Fletcher before, and was glad to renew our friendship.