Harrogate Herald – 27th June 1917

W H Breare letter

Just imagine how you would feel if you suddenly found yourself in Harrogate on leave for the first time in two years and three months. This is the happy situation of Private J Oldfield, RAMC, who called to see me on Friday morning. He is the son of Mr and Mrs John Oldfield, of Skipton, and at one time worked for Robinson's, grocers, then for Standing's Ltd., from which establishment he joined up. The reason why he did not get leave before is that he first went to Suvla Bay, then to Greek Islands, next Egypt, and finally France. After Thiepval he was transferred to another division, and had to leave his friends George Eaddie and Wood, who lived in Parliament Terrace, and Billy Smith, of Union Street. These boys are all right so far. In his present division with him is Billy Burkinshaw. On June 7th Oldfield had a touch of shrapnel on the shoulder. he calls it "a bruise", but is quite all right, and declares he suffered no inconvenience. You will remember that his brother Dick was killed a year ago last November. It is rather singular that Dick should have been sent to the casualty clearing station to which J Oldfield was transferred and now in. Oldfield and the Petty boys are great chums - in fact, before the war they went to camp out at Crimple. Perhaps it was to get their hands in, though they could have had no idea of the great affair which was to come later. Perhaps you would like to know who comprised that party? I can tell you. Dick and John Petty, Jesse Scott, Maurice Broadhead, Ryan, and Chapman. All, in turn, have been casualties; but I am glad to say are now alive and well.