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

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
AWM2018.785.5
Difficulty:
3

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(2)

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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Kimberley Hayes Kimberley Hayes
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