Harrogate and Ripon in the Great War

By Stephen Wade

Harrogate and Ripon, just a few miles apart in one of the most beautiful localities in Yorkshire, have rarely had their contributions to the Great War told all together, in one volume. Stephen Wade has written an account of their importance, from the Ripon camps, where thousands of infantrymen for Kitchener’s new Pals’ Battalions were trained, to the many Harrogate hospitals where casualties were cared for. Added to this are stories of local individuals, at home and in the European theatre of war, who played their part in this massive conflict.

Harrogate and Ripon,made the usual contributions to the war effort, raising money and making food, but the local people experienced many of the significant Yorkshire events of the war, such as the explosion at Barnbow munitions factory and the housing of Belgian refugees.

The book tells the stories of not only the heroes, such as Betty Stevenson and Donald Bell VC, but of the ordinary Yorkshire folk who endured the hardships and made great sacrifices.

The book provides ample evidence that Harrogate and Ripon, along with their surrounding areas, have a fine record for courage and determination during the First World War.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pen and Sword
• Release date: Nov 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781473855564

Stephen Wade

Stephen Wade is a biographer and social historian, usually associated with crime and law, but here he turns his attention to a place he has known for forty years, as he has lived and worked in Scunthorpe all that time. His most recent books have been "Going to Extremes", "The Justice Women" and three volumes in the "Your Town in the Great War" series (all Pen & Sword), and :No More Soldiering" (Amberley).