Harrogate Herald - 14th February 1917

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We had an interesting little ceremony on the Stray on Saturday. In the absence of Major General S H Kelly, Brigadier General H H Butler presented the Meritorious Service Medal to Corporal E D P Hardy, who was on leave, and the Military Medal to Private Trowsdale, both of Harrogate. There was quite a cheery gathering, which included the Mayor and Town Clerk. His Worship presented Trowsdale with a box of cigarettes containing a hundred, and had a similar box for Corporal Hardy, but he missed the latter, and so has sent the cigarettes to me to forward them. I have just received the box, and will despatch as soon as I ascertain his address.

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Private L Trowsdale, who was presented with the Military Medal on Saturday, has just been in to see me to explain how sorry he feels that all the other boys of the gun team did not get a medal - particularly a comrade he calls "Ginger" Booth, of York. He would like the boys to know that he looks upon the award as simply given to him as representative of his gun team. Trowsdale tells me there are thousands of brave deeds done that do not happen to com under the official eye, and there is no award.

Harrogate Herald - 2nd May 1917

Private L Trowsdale West Yorks), son of Mr Trowsdale, Knaresborough Road, Harrogate, has been awarded the military bar for bravery at Ypres. It will be remembered he was awarded the Military Medal on the Stray for his skill and bravery in the handling of a Lewis gun at Schwaben Redoubt.

Harrogate Herald - 2nd May 1917

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I have just had Mr Trowsdale [Probably : Arthur E Trowsdale, commission agent, Ingleneuk, 18 Knaresborough Road] in, who has told me that his son, Private L Trowsdale, who won the Military Medal some time ago, has just been presented with a bar for bravery at Ypres. His brother, A G Trowsdale, has been through lively times, and came out all right, but going back for a rest he got a shrapnel splinter in his back, and is now in Wharncliffe Hospital, Sheffield. His wound is giving no cause for anxiety, I am happy to say.

Harrogate Herald - 18th July 1917

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I told you at the time that Private A G Trowsdale, HAC, was wounded. On Monday he came over to see me fresh from hospital. He got his wound on the 25th of April, and after an operation in France was transferred to Sheffield. In addition to his would he was suffering from trench fever, and then he developed diphtheria. After a sick furlough he will have to report to his depot in London. But he is not fit yet, though bright and able to get about. Trowsdale told me that the only Harrogate man he had met was Company Sergeant Major Howard Horner. It was one dark night about 12 o'clock that the Beechwood Boys came to relieve his lot. He shouted out to ask if there was a Harrogate lad amongst them, and Horner, recognising his voice, immediately replied. They had a chat, and, of course, much of their talk was of home. Trowsdale is the son of Mr Trowsdale, of Knaresborough Road. The three brothers are in the Army. Private Leslie Trowsdale is in the West Yorks; Private Obrey [Aubrey?] Trowsdale connected with the transports; Private A G Trowsdale is the youngest of the brothers. Before the war he worked for Mr R T Hodgson, ironmonger; in fact, had nearly served his apprenticeship.

Harrogate Herald - 19th December 1917

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Quite a long time ago I told you Private A L Trowsdale, son of Mr Trowsdale, of Knaresborough Road, had won the Military Medal. He is now in Italy. I have had his brother, Private A G Trowsdale, in to see me. He, too, will probably be in Italy by now. A G Trowsdale was looking the picture of health when I saw him, and I think anticipating Italy with pleasure rather than regret.

Harrogate Herald - 25th December 1918

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I had three soldiers in to see me on Monday. First came Private A G Trowsdale, son of Mr and Mrs Trowsdale, Knaresborough Road, who was just about to return to France. He is now doing guards at GHQ. He was wounded, and has been back just twelve months. His brother, it will remembered, won the Military Medal. He is now in Italy, and hoping to be over soon on leave. Private Frank Smith is with the Trench Mortar Company. He was exempt until last October. He assisted his father before the war in his cabbing business, and stood on the Montpelier stand. He has no Harrogate men with him, but Burton, of Masham, is in his lot. Private G Beckwith is one of three brothers serving, the sons of Mr and Mrs Beckwith, 13 Regent Grove, Harrogate. He joined up in January, 1915, and went to the Dardanelles, then to Egypt, and next to France. He met with an accident, and was sent to Nottingham Hospital. After discharge he was sent to York, from there to Ripon, then to Whitley Bay. He is going all right. His brother, Sapper H W Beckwith, joined up at the beginning of 1917, and for a time followed his trade as a shoemaker in England, but is now in Ireland. Harry Beckwith, a younger brother, went out to France in March, and is with a pioneer battalion. Private Pert gave me a call, likewise Private W White, of the Koylies. He went to Egypt in 1915, and came back to France the following year. He was mentioned in despatches, but being a miner has been discharged. He has been gassed, but remained on duty.