#643 - Pte. 26th Infantry Battalion AIF
"HE DIED FIGHTING." COMRADE'S AFFECTION.
Mrs. F. Attewell, Nundah, has received the following letter relative to the death of their son Fred from his pal, Bernard James. The writer says; "Doubtless you will by this time have heard the very sad news of Fred's death, and I would like to take the opportunity of letting you hear how he died. He was out repairing the telephone lines at the time on a heavily shelled piece of ground— a dangerous job— but Fred would never mind that. He was the best man in the section and did the work of six men. He was always so keen and interested in any thing that that was to be done. You will be glad to hear that he was buried; his grave is one of the many of those brave Australians who fell on this spot. I was Fred's mate, and knew him since we were at Enoggera and you can guess I feel his loss very keenly. I must offer you my deepest sympathy, but you can take comfort from the fact that Fred died fighting for his country, and no man has done his "bit" more than he."
Another letter received relative to this gallant soldier's death reads as follows: Dear Mr. and Mrs. Attewell — Long before this letter reaches you I expect you will have heard the bad news of the death of your son. As a friend of Fred's I thought it my duty to drop you a line and let you know the circumstances under which he was killed. I was informed by Sergeant De Vis that he and Fred were out mending a telephone line and had just mended the break when a highly explosive shell burst very close to them, killing poor Fred instantaneously. Learning of this sad happening from Sergeant De Vis I set out and assisted by one of my mates we gave him a decent burial, and put a rough cross (inscribed), the best I could make under the circumstances, at the head of his grave. He had no personal effects on him as I believe he had already been searched and such private property found on him had been handed in at his battalion headquarters; but beside him I found a handkerchief flag, which I recognised as his, and am posting it; also a wristlet watch which I obtained out of his pack. You have my deepest sympathy and it was the least I could do for a friend and a hero, who had died for his King and country. I will forward the handkerchief and watch at the first opportunity — I remain, yours sincerely, Sapper Harold Hinckfuss." -Bundaberg Mail and Burnett Advertiser, Friday 9 March 1917, page 4... Contributor: Gary Parsons (48800902)
"HE DIED FIGHTING." COMRADE'S AFFECTION.
Mrs. F. Attewell, Nundah, has received the following letter relative to the death of their son Fred from his pal, Bernard James. The writer says; "Doubtless you will by this time have heard the very sad news of Fred's death, and I would like to take the opportunity of letting you hear how he died. He was out repairing the telephone lines at the time on a heavily shelled piece of ground— a dangerous job— but Fred would never mind that. He was the best man in the section and did the work of six men. He was always so keen and interested in any thing that that was to be done. You will be glad to hear that he was buried; his grave is one of the many of those brave Australians who fell on this spot. I was Fred's mate, and knew him since we were at Enoggera and you can guess I feel his loss very keenly. I must offer you my deepest sympathy, but you can take comfort from the fact that Fred died fighting for his country, and no man has done his "bit" more than he."
Another letter received relative to this gallant soldier's death reads as follows: Dear Mr. and Mrs. Attewell — Long before this letter reaches you I expect you will have heard the bad news of the death of your son. As a friend of Fred's I thought it my duty to drop you a line and let you know the circumstances under which he was killed. I was informed by Sergeant De Vis that he and Fred were out mending a telephone line and had just mended the break when a highly explosive shell burst very close to them, killing poor Fred instantaneously. Learning of this sad happening from Sergeant De Vis I set out and assisted by one of my mates we gave him a decent burial, and put a rough cross (inscribed), the best I could make under the circumstances, at the head of his grave. He had no personal effects on him as I believe he had already been searched and such private property found on him had been handed in at his battalion headquarters; but beside him I found a handkerchief flag, which I recognised as his, and am posting it; also a wristlet watch which I obtained out of his pack. You have my deepest sympathy and it was the least I could do for a friend and a hero, who had died for his King and country. I will forward the handkerchief and watch at the first opportunity — I remain, yours sincerely, Sapper Harold Hinckfuss." -Bundaberg Mail and Burnett Advertiser, Friday 9 March 1917, page 4... Contributor: Gary Parsons (48800902)
#643 - Pte. 26th Infantry Battalion AIF
"HE DIED FIGHTING." COMRADE'S AFFECTION.
Mrs. F. Attewell, Nundah, has received the following letter relative to the death of their son Fred from his pal, Bernard James. The writer says; "Doubtless you will by this time have heard the very sad news of Fred's death, and I would like to take the opportunity of letting you hear how he died. He was out repairing the telephone lines at the time on a heavily shelled piece of ground— a dangerous job— but Fred would never mind that. He was the best man in the section and did the work of six men. He was always so keen and interested in any thing that that was to be done. You will be glad to hear that he was buried; his grave is one of the many of those brave Australians who fell on this spot. I was Fred's mate, and knew him since we were at Enoggera and you can guess I feel his loss very keenly. I must offer you my deepest sympathy, but you can take comfort from the fact that Fred died fighting for his country, and no man has done his "bit" more than he."
Another letter received relative to this gallant soldier's death reads as follows: Dear Mr. and Mrs. Attewell — Long before this letter reaches you I expect you will have heard the bad news of the death of your son. As a friend of Fred's I thought it my duty to drop you a line and let you know the circumstances under which he was killed. I was informed by Sergeant De Vis that he and Fred were out mending a telephone line and had just mended the break when a highly explosive shell burst very close to them, killing poor Fred instantaneously. Learning of this sad happening from Sergeant De Vis I set out and assisted by one of my mates we gave him a decent burial, and put a rough cross (inscribed), the best I could make under the circumstances, at the head of his grave. He had no personal effects on him as I believe he had already been searched and such private property found on him had been handed in at his battalion headquarters; but beside him I found a handkerchief flag, which I recognised as his, and am posting it; also a wristlet watch which I obtained out of his pack. You have my deepest sympathy and it was the least I could do for a friend and a hero, who had died for his King and country. I will forward the handkerchief and watch at the first opportunity — I remain, yours sincerely, Sapper Harold Hinckfuss." -Bundaberg Mail and Burnett Advertiser, Friday 9 March 1917, page 4... Contributor: Gary Parsons (48800902)
"HE DIED FIGHTING." COMRADE'S AFFECTION.
Mrs. F. Attewell, Nundah, has received the following letter relative to the death of their son Fred from his pal, Bernard James. The writer says; "Doubtless you will by this time have heard the very sad news of Fred's death, and I would like to take the opportunity of letting you hear how he died. He was out repairing the telephone lines at the time on a heavily shelled piece of ground— a dangerous job— but Fred would never mind that. He was the best man in the section and did the work of six men. He was always so keen and interested in any thing that that was to be done. You will be glad to hear that he was buried; his grave is one of the many of those brave Australians who fell on this spot. I was Fred's mate, and knew him since we were at Enoggera and you can guess I feel his loss very keenly. I must offer you my deepest sympathy, but you can take comfort from the fact that Fred died fighting for his country, and no man has done his "bit" more than he."
Another letter received relative to this gallant soldier's death reads as follows: Dear Mr. and Mrs. Attewell — Long before this letter reaches you I expect you will have heard the bad news of the death of your son. As a friend of Fred's I thought it my duty to drop you a line and let you know the circumstances under which he was killed. I was informed by Sergeant De Vis that he and Fred were out mending a telephone line and had just mended the break when a highly explosive shell burst very close to them, killing poor Fred instantaneously. Learning of this sad happening from Sergeant De Vis I set out and assisted by one of my mates we gave him a decent burial, and put a rough cross (inscribed), the best I could make under the circumstances, at the head of his grave. He had no personal effects on him as I believe he had already been searched and such private property found on him had been handed in at his battalion headquarters; but beside him I found a handkerchief flag, which I recognised as his, and am posting it; also a wristlet watch which I obtained out of his pack. You have my deepest sympathy and it was the least I could do for a friend and a hero, who had died for his King and country. I will forward the handkerchief and watch at the first opportunity — I remain, yours sincerely, Sapper Harold Hinckfuss." -Bundaberg Mail and Burnett Advertiser, Friday 9 March 1917, page 4... Contributor: Gary Parsons (48800902)
Gravesite Details
Private, Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
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