Harrogate Herald - 16th May 1917
W H Breare letter
Mr Wharton, of 7 Duncan Street, New park, has
had a letter from Acting CSM W E Rathke, informing him that his son,
Sergeant O Wharton, failed to answer the roll call after
recent operations in France, and fears he has been taken prisoner.
If any of you boys can give Mr Wharton any further
information he will be much relieved. A letter in another column
tells how he was missed.
Harrogate Herald - 4th July 1917
W H Breare letter
His Sergeant-Major announced Sergeant J W Abbott as
a prisoner of war. The military authorities returned him as wounded
and missing on the 3rd of May. He is a Beechwood Boy. Today
(Tuesday) his mother, Mrs J F Abbott, of 26 Spring Terrace, Oatlands
Mount, Harrogate, called with a letter from Abbott saying he was a
prisoner in Germany. Good news, you see! A letter from him appears
in another column. Pop Jewitt, another Oatlands boy, is in the next
camp to Abbott, and Sergeant Wharton is in the same as
Abbott.
Harrogate Herald - 11th July 1917
Sergeant Oswald Wharton, who has been missing
since May 3rd, is a prisoner of war in Germany. His mother, who
lives at 7 Duncan Street, came in yesterday to bring me the joyful
news.
Harrogate Herald - 17th October 1917
W H Breare letter
When I sent some playing cards to Private W
Parkinson, of the 2/5th, who was in hospital at Keighley wounded, I
hardly expected to see him very soon, but I am glad to say that he
looked in on me on Monday morning, having been discharged, otherwise
granted sick leave, at the conclusion of which he will report to his
depot. Parkinson was wounded on the 3rd of may - a memorable day for
the boys of the 2/5th - in the left leg and foot. He lay out two
days and found himself in hospital May 5th, where he has been until
last Thursday. He is the son of Mrs John Parkinson, 13 Pearl Street,
Starbeck. A bullet went through his helmet and, as he puts it, he
was then "within two inches of death". Private Samuel
Abbott, of Oatlands, was missing at the same time and Sergeant
Wharton taken prisoner. There was talk of amputating the leg,
but happily that has not been necessary, though it is still
troublesome. He does not look as if you will see him out where you
are very soon, if at all. You may be sure, boys, that there is
someone in Harrogate pleased to see Parkinson home and that is his
mother, who has borne his illness so long and patiently. he is her
only son and child. Just those two! May good fortune attend them
both henceforth.
Harrogate Herald - 9th January 1918
War Notes
Following upon our enquiry for particulars regarding
Sergeant O Wharton, his mother found that he is a prisoner in
Germany, and has received a letter from him showing that he has
received nothing since September 19th. He sends his good wishes and
remembrances to friends, and says he would have written but the
fortunes of war prevent him. He receives his parcels of bread
regularly.
Harrogate Herald - 9th January 1918
W H Breare letter
I get many of these happy moments. For instance, you
remember the 3rd of May, when so many Beechwood Boys were missing?
Well, Sergeant Oswald Wharton has been missing since then.
His mother came in to see me on Saturday wreathed in smiles. I said,
"Good news?". She replied, "Yes". She then gave
me a letter from Sergeant Oswald Wharton saying he was a
prisoner in Germany. I had seen her before, and bid her to be of
good faith. I asked her if she had ever wavered in her mind
regarding the fate of her son. She replied, "No!". I
added, "And you now have your reward". Wharton has
not yet received his clothes, but the authorities say they were sent
off immediately. This happy sequel to all the trouble should make
those who have not heard of their missing boys more determined than
ever to cling to hope. For six years Wharton worked at The
College, then went to the Adelphi. He is engaged to a lady who bears
the same name as himself, so he cannot ask her to change her name
when the happy event comes off. His officer was Lieutenant Hanley
Hutchinson, who later was killed.
Harrogate Herald - 27th August 1919
August 19th, 1919, at St Mary's Church, Cromford,
Matlock, Bath, by the Rev D W Burbon, Oswald, youngest son of Mr
and Mrs T Wharton, New Park, Harrogate, to Mary, only daughter
of Mr and Mrs G Wharton, Matlock, Bath.
Harrogate Herald - 6th November 1929
On November 2nd, to Mr and Mrs Oswald Wharton,
5 Montpelier Square, Harrogate, a son.
Harrogate Herald - 30th January 1960
In loving memory of Oswald Wharton, a dear husband and
father, died February 1st, 1951. Mary and David
