Letters relating to William George Blaskett, 1916-1919 - Part 12

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couldn't express my opinion of him
in writing, so I will leave it to
you to tell her, at any rate until
I come back. For a start Mum,
he was the whitest and gamest
man I have ever met or will ever
meet. Do you know he was in
the first wave to go over at Bullecourt
and he was out on his own easily
60 yds ahead of anyone. Dont think
he was foolish to be out there as he
wasn't because I'm sorry to say
that the l boys failed to go on at the
right time, and he never faltered
but went on, followed by another
officer who also was killed. Of course
the lads got there just after, but it
was just that temporary stoppage
that probably caused his death. Mind
you Mum it took a man had to
have a great heart to get out of the
first trench and take the second under
a perfect hail of Machine Gun and
rifle fire. I'm not in the coy Bill was
in, so that's why I wasn't in the first
wave. Our Coy formed the 3rd and 4th
waves and me being in charge of No 3
platoon was in the last wave. Mind
over
you, my boys got knocked about just as much
as anyone else, as the Germans were behind
their trenches using their guns with very
deadly effect. Only a few Fritz’s waited for
us, and I might state we wasted no time
with them. I have in my possesion now
poor old Bill's pocket book with his photos
in, also his wristlet watch that I took off
him. You can tell Mrs Blaskett that I will
hang on to them, and if I go to France I
will leave them here with the Payne's so
as she will be sure to get them after the
war. I'll take no more chances of sending
valuable goods to Australia. She will value
them greatly, I know. Well Mother I was
a lucky man to get out of that scrap with
my life and when I get back I'll be able
to explain to you how.
I cant think of any more
to say now so will close hoping this
finds you all in the "pink” as it
leaves me at present from Your
Ever Affectionate Son
Leo
16th April 1919
No 6958
Mrs. C. Blasket,
"Bullecourt"
9th Street,
BOWDEN.
Dear Madam,
re Lieut. W. G. Blasket, 48th Infantry Battalion.
Our Commissioners have now forwarded to us a few details
relative to the death and burial of the above officer, we would
advise, however, that although these reports have been carefully
tested, we cannot guarantee the absolute accuracy of this information
No 5381 Pte M.E. Holder states that he saw your son killed
outright by machine gun bullet through the head, not being 5 yards
away from him at the time. This was after the first line of German
trenches had been taken at Reincourt, at about 8 a.m. on April 11th
1917. The ground was taken and occupied by the Germans that
afternoon, and Pte. Holder was captured and wounded that day.
Should any further particulars reach us we will forward
same tomyou.
Yours faithfully
Chas A Edmunds.
Honorary Secretary.
No. 6058
20th May, 1919
Mrs. C. Blaskett,
"Bullecourt"
9th Street,
BOWDEN.
Dear Madam,
No. -- 2nd Lieut. W. G. Blaskett, 48th Battalion
We are now in receipt of some further details
concerning the above soldier, which Corporal Champion, who was
detailed as searcher on board the H.T. "Plassy", gained from
two soldiers of the 48th Battalion. This information, is of
course purely unofficial, but we forward it on to you in order
that you may have all that reaches us.
No. 2490 Private T. B. Shinnick, 48th Battalion,
states that your son was killed at Bullecourt on 11th April, 1917,
at the beginning of the attack. Our informant had seen
him lying dead in the trench while the attack was in progress.
This information was corroborated by No. 5750 Private S. E.
Regan, who further advises that 2nd Lieutenant Blaskett was
in charge of No. 5 Platoon, and describes him as being about
5'10" in height, fair and of slight build, and "very popular
among the men."
Should anything further reach us, we will forward
same on to you.
Yours faithfully,
Chas A Edmunds
Honorary Secretary.

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