Harrogate Herald - 16th January 1918

W H Breare letter

Two boys fresh from the Front have been in to see me. Sergeant W Botterill, Machine Gun Corps, is a son of Mr and Mrs Botterill. The father is a well-known gardener. The son has nearly three years in the Army and 14 months out. Not a Harrogate chap with Botterill's little lot, only about five since he went out. There are but two Harrogate boys in his division; Barker, of Cheltenham Mount, and himself. Botterill is what is called a transport sergeant. With him came Private W R Wood, Army Service Corps, MT, son of Mr and Mrs Dawson Wood, 3 Cambridge Place. The father used to work for Lawrence and Hall, but a year ago had a stroke and has not been able to do anything since. Tom Smith, of Denmark Street, is near Wood. He is in the Royal Engineers. Wood is with the signallers on communications, and has not a cushy job. Both these lads look well and are quite happy.