Circa 1915 - Four Greenwood Brothers enlist in the British Army. They were George, Mark (my Grandfather), Fred, and Arthur.
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Mrs Fleming's Hospital Dear Mrs Greenwood, I am writing as the commanding officer of the Brigade in which your son, Lieut. G. Greenwood C/177 Battery R.F.A., was serving, and to tell you how deeply we all in the Brigade feel for you in your great loss. He fell on the 21st March during the first day of the German attack, between Roussay and St. Emilie, while leading the teams and [?] up to the guns of his Battery, in a very gallant attempt to save them. We were in the most unfortunate position of the whole army that day, the enemy having broken through the Division on our right, and attacking us from the flank, though our own infantry were still holding out in the front line. Enfiladed* at short range by machine guns, the Battery positions were untenable, and all efforts to bring away the guns were unavailing. If it had been possible, your son would have undoubtedly succeeded. As it was, his personal gallantry and skill saved many more casualties to the teams than actually occurred. He took every precaution in keeping wide intervals, and making the best use of ground, and rode well in front himself, so as to be able to warn them of danger. He was killed by a machine gun bullet right beside the guns. Death was instantaneous, and he was spared any suffering. I have been rather unlucky myself - I was wounded [this sentence is very hard to read] ... the third wound in this war - but hope to be fit to go back before long. With deepest sympathy,
Yours sincerely
W. R. W. Warren
(Lt. Col. R.F.A.) |
*thanks to Peter and Dave for helping with this translation! Ironically, Great Uncle George actually survived the war. Apparently, after laying on the battlefield for 3 days & nights, he was found and taken to a Russian Field Hospital. He must have taken some time to recover. His family, unaware of his survival, were in mourning for 6 months. |
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