The Yorkshire Post Thursday 10 Feb 1916
Page 3 Column 6
COMFORTS FOR THE 7th YORKSHIRES.
To the Editor of the Yorkshire Post.
Sir, - In the course of a letter written to me, Sec.-Lieut. C. W. UZZELL, 7th Batt. Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regt.), pens the following passage:- “I wonder whether your newspaper interest can help me to do something for my men. I have taken over the command of a platoon numbering about 50, from another officer who has gone under. When he was alive some ladies whom he used to know sent him regularly all sorts of comforts for his men – socks, shirts, cigarettes, and things like that. Now that he is killed, poor fellow, the men miss these things, and I would give anything to be able to keep the supply going. If you think you can do anything in this direction do try, because the men I have got are the best fellows in the world, and I'd like to do all I can for them.”
Lieut. UZZELL is a Somerset man, and was some years ago resident in Winchester. But I hope Yorkshire people will see that it would be impossible for me to appeal to either Somerset or Hampshire folk to answer Lieut. UZZELL's request. Winchester, for instance, is doing a very great deal for the Hampshire Regiment, the Hampshire Territorials, the King's Royal Rifles, and the Rifle Brigade, and among the two latter regiments are many Yorkshire men. Probably the bulk, If not the whole of the men in Lieut. UZZELL's platoon are from the broad-acred county. It therefore struck me that, with your permission and goodwill, I could bring this appeal to the notice of your readers, and that perhaps some good would result. I hope it may. May I suggest that there may be some lady in Richmond who would be good enough to undertake the collection of such comforts and necessaries and forward them to Lieut. UZZELL, 7th Yorkshire, B.F.F., France? If not, any articles forwarded to me will be gladly sent with any I may be able to solicit personally – Yours etc.,
FRANK OATEN. Member Institute of Journalists.
Verulam, Hatherley Road, Winchester, Feb. 7. 1916.