William Garnett

[lgross]

Hello, I haven't been here for a long time. Some years ago, a very kind member provided a photo of a report in the Salford Reporter from 1918. It was the publication of a letter from an army officer which was addressed to the mother of Bombardier William Garnett 61418 RFA who died of wounds on 29/04/1918. The photo was a little blurred and it wasn't possible to read all the words due to the fold of the page. I wondered if anyone can advise me on how to get a full copy of this. William Garnett was awarded the French Croix de Guerre and I would also like to find out more about this. Thanks.

[shred]

Hi lgross,

This is the piece that was previously posted.



The article was published in the Salford Reporter on the 29/06/1918. This is what I can make out from the article:
BOMBARDIER W GARNETT

The death is announced from wounds of Bombardier W Garnett, 21st Battery, R.F.A. who was the son of Mrs Glover, 41 Raglan Street, Lower Broughton. He has been in the service eight years and has been in France since the beginning of the war. Bombardier Garnett, who had been recommended for the Croix de Guerre was formerly a scholar at the Ascension Sunday School, Broughton. The Major of the Battery in a letter of condolence to Mrs Glover, says:-- Your son was my ? signaller in charge of all my communications. He was an excellent fellow whom it is impossible to speak too highly. He was badly wounded on April 29th and taken to the 18th Field Ambulance where he died. It may be of consolation to you to know that he was wounded whilst at the post of ? of the telephone pit, while the others were in action helping to repulse an enemy attack. I offer you my sincere sympathy in your great loss.

The only way that you would be able to get a clear copy of the article is to visit The Newspaper Storage Building, Bostan Spa, West Yorkshire, when it opens. Not sure when this will be as the British Library currently states "The printed newspapers are currently being moved to the new purpose-built Newspaper Storage Building (NSB) in Boston Spa, West Yorkshire and are under embargo." link

Read this page with regards to researching the Croix de Guerre.

Good luck with your research.

[lgross]

Hi shred, many thanks for transcribing this for me. In the sentence which begins "He was badly wounded " it says "and ........". I wondered if the ilegible word was "gassed". The day he died was the 3rd and last Battle of the Lys. Also known as the Battle for Scherpenberg. Thanks again for your help. Hopefully one day I will find the details of William's Croix de Guerre. Regards, lgross