Harrogate Herald - 7th April 1915

The wedding took place at Bilton Church, on Easter Saturday, of Lance Corporal Alf Shaw, of the 11th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, to Miss Lily Smith, daughter of the late Mr Christopher and Mrs Smith, of 24 Grange Avenue, Harrogate. The bride was given away by her brother, Gunner E Smith, Royal Field Artillery. The bridesmaids were Miss Dora Smith and Miss E Birch. Private W Rawling, 5th West Yorks, performed the duties of best man, and the Rev H D Pearson officiated.

Harrogate Herald - 22nd December 1915

Corporal A F Shaw writes : 

At last I will try to write you a few lines, but first of all let me thank you for the paper I have received every week. You know I like to have it and to know how all are going on at Harrogate. Well, I have not a great lot of news for you, for I think all have quietened down now. There is often an artillery duel on. My word, we have had some very wet weather here lately. It cannot keep fair a day. Where I am it is knee deep in mud, and the water is flooded over many a lot of fields. It is only about twelve yards from our tent. I fear if it goes on it will wash us out, but we should jolly soon find a fresh place if it did. The trenches are very bad. We have all got fur coats, and they are very warm, but no use in wet weather. I am glad to see that all the Harrogate boys are responding to the call, and I think they will all be needed before the finish; but we can do nothing much till better weather comes, and you know the dugouts won't stand all this wet. I think I will draw to a close, wishing you and your paper every success.

Harrogate Herald - 2nd August 1916

Private W P Birkinshaw writes : 

Just a line or two to thank you for your very acceptable paper, which I receive every week. I was very sorry to hear of "Don" Bell's death. I am trying to find his grave, so that I can put flowers on it. I have seen most of the men in his Company, and all of them are very upset about him. I only hope that his wife will receive the honour that I am sure he deserved. You will all by now have heard of Alf Shaw's success. He came round to see me last night with Sergeant Waite, of Starbeck. They both look well and are ready for another go at old Fritz. I stopped a shrapnel bullet, but it only bruised me, and I was able to go on with my work. However, it gave me a bit of a shake, and I have no wish for another dose. I will shut off now. Wishing you every success.