Harrogate Herald – 26th December 1917

W H Breare letter

I have had in today AB J G Rowntree, son of Corporal Rowntree, of the Flying Corps, and Mrs Rowntree, 7 Bilton Street, King's Road. He was on three days' leave. The lad looks A1, and I enjoyed his company. I find that the soldier and sailor boys are most awfully sympathetic; for instance, Rowntree was grieving that Halliday, a Canadian soldier, who was buried the other day, should have been interred without honours, or even a Union Jack. So was I when I heard of it; but it is only just to say that if the friends do not make application, the authorities know nothing about these sad events. I have found the Military at Headquarters, York, very sympathetic over these cases, and before now have fixed the whole thing up over the telephone without delay. Possibly the friends did not know how to go about it. I am sorry they did not give me an opportunity.