Harrogate Herald - 22nd December 1915
[Small extract from a letter from Sgt Fred C Allen
to the Herald]
.......... I keep seeing Charlie Wood, who is
stationed about 500 yards from here, and I can tell you he is sure
looking well, although he doesn't get much fatter. I wish he would
hurry up and give us another variety show, for the last one was
"some" success. ..............
Harrogate Herald - 17th November 1915
W H Breare letter
You remember Charlie Wood, who got up that
three days' show for the boys coming out of the trenches? He is a
son of Mr and Mrs George Wood and brother of Miss Connie
Wood, who collected those cigarettes and sweets sent to you on
that occasion. Well, he is on leave and came in yesterday. He is
very fit and jolly. I was delighted to hear from him that you speak
of me as "the old man". That's right! I look upon you as
my boys and am proud. I would have you regard me as something more
than a casual friend, and I believe you do. Do not be afraid of
giving me trouble. I have always time for your concerns.
Charlie Wood is the proprietor of a cinema
and variety house in Scotland. He turned them over to a manager to
run for him while away and enlisted. Charlie has a very
responsible job and is happy in he consciousness of duty done and
doing. Do you wonder that he is content? He is in the 50th Division.
Sergeant Fred Allen, son of Christopher, is in the same locality as Wood,
and he has sent me, by Charlie, his kind regards. It is a
cold day, but I am warm.
Harrogate Herald - 10th January 1917
Letters
The following are men who have sent us the Army
post-card briefly stating that they are well and have received
papers and parcels, or whose letters contain views that have
repeatedly been expressed by other correspondents, but show their
friends that they are all right :
Second Lieutenant George Pearson (a happy and
prosperous New Year)
Private S Addyman
Gunner W Bedford
T Balme
Private V Coates
J Dalby
Private H Hullah
CSM Gordon Ince
Lance Corporal W A Kemp (greetings)
F Milner (greetings)
J H McMahon
J Oldfield (with compliments of the season)
Gunner W W Pantry
Gunner F Padgett (greetings)
Charlie Wood (greetings)
Private H West
Sapper M H Wood (greetings)
Harrogate Herald - 9th January 1918
W H Breare letter
I had a surprise visit from my dear friend Sergeant
Fred Allen, of the Canadians, the other morning. He is a son of Mr
Christopher Allen, of Cathcart House, and you will remember or
identify him amongst the brothers when I tell you he married a
daughter of the late Mr John Knowles, assistant station-master. Fred
looks well, and says he has never been better. Not had a day's
illness. He was able to tell me that Charlie Wood was in
Italy. You boys who know Fred will understand with what regret I
parted from him.
Harrogate Herald - 13th February 1918
Letters
S Batty, of Starbeck, says : I really must thank you for sending
me the Herald. It may be only small, but out here it is worth its
weight in gold. You've no idea how pleased we lads are to get news
from home. I came out with C Wood and S Whitehouse and W
Weatherhead, of Starbeck, but I have left them all now.
