Papers of Edgar Sydney Worrall - Wallet 2 - Part 16

In the Field
October 19^th 1917
Dear Mr Worrall,
I presume that
the cable has already conveyed
to you the sad intelligence of
Edgar's death in action. As he
left Australia in the third
reinforcements which I commanded
at the time, and as he subsequently
came to my company in the
battalion, I had probably a
longer and more intimate
association with him than
any other officer in the battalion,
and, for that reason, and out of
my affection for him, I thought
you would be glad to hear any facts
concerning him.
He was one of the
most courageous boys I have ever
known. When he was detailed
for the Cadet Training Battalion
in England, he protested vigorously
to me on the grounds that he
would miss the fighting in France.
He wrote from the Divisional
School on the eve of his departure
 

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and requested that his nomination
should be withdrawn, but his
request was refused. When he
returned, early in July, he was
attached to my Company, and
his only complaint was that
he could not get an opportunity
to strike a blow at the enemy.
At length his wish was granted
and he was included in the
attack on Broodseinde Ridge
on October 4^th.  His happiness was
then complete.
The night before the
attack, while we were waiting
to go into the line, we had one of
those heart to heart talks in
which men on rare occasions
reveal themselves to one
another, and I knew that all
was well with "Johnny", by
which name he was affectionately
known to all.  We wrote our last
thoughts on the front page of his
field - message book.  "Johnny"
wrote the last stanza of Newbolt's
"Clifton chapel" - a strangely
prophetic dedication.  Shortly
 

3
afterwards we moved to the front
line for the attack.  He was
with me when we formed up, and
showed his usual coolness and
bravery.  No sooner were we in
position than the enemy opened
a terrific bombardment on us,
as a preparation for his their attack
which we anticipated.  Johnny
was beside me in the shellhole
until two minutes before
the time for the launching of
our attack, when we went to our
respective positions.  I never saw
him again.  His body was
discovered next day near the
jumping off tape and buried
there.  He must have been

killed by a shell immediately
after he left me.  Of the four
officers in the Company, two
were killed and one seriously
wounded.
Johnny was a
splendid man, clean and
straight and true, full of the
ardour and resolution of youth.
In a world of temptation he
 

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maintained a character unblemished
and an honor free from taint.
We mourn him as a comrade and
a friend.
I know how pointless
must be any words of mine to
comfort you in your great
sorrow, but I trust that the
knowledge that he laid down
his life in a great cause, and
the assurance that the supreme
sacrifice was not made in vain
may, in some measure, soften
the anguish of you must feel.

I am,

Yours very sincerely,
W H Ellwood Capt.
B Coy 24^th Batt.
 

COPY.
France, 29.10.17.
Dear Mr. Sharp,
In reference to your enquiry concerning the
death of 2nd Lt. E. S. Worrall.  I have already
written to his father and also two other friends in
Australia giving full particulars of his death.
"Johnnie" was a close personal friend of mine and I
assure you his untimely end is keenly regretted in
this regiment.  It was on the 4th October that the
24th Bn. was amongst others to "hop over" in an attack
on Broodeseind Ridge. The movement to the jumping off
position was accomplished unobserved, but prior to zero
hour a heavy enemy barrage of calibres fell down on
our position.  As soon as barrage opened our movement
commenced and the atack was most successful.  "Johnnie"
went forward with characteristic dash and gameness, but
had not advanced far before he was "caught" by an enemy
shell. His death was instantaneous. H was buried
close in to the village of Zonnebeke, and we have
made an oak cross with a brass tablet attached to mark
his grave. The death of such a dear pal and such a
game soldier is a great personal loss as well as a 
blow to the regiment. All ranks testify to their
grief and mourn the loss of one who has been called west.
I may be onleave in a few weeks, so may be
able to call on you and give further details.
Sincerely yours,
Frank P. Sellick
Lt. & Adjt.
24th Bn. A.I.F.