Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Great War on The Wartime Memories Project Website
Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Great War on The Wartime Memories Project Website
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L/Cpl. Hebert Walter Sawyer
British Army 213th Coy. Machine Gun Corps
from:Catford, London
(d.26th November 1917)
Herbert Sawyer was killed at Bourlon Wood, near Cambrai. He was 21 years old. He was the much loved older brother of my Grandad, who was too young to go to war. My Grandad missed Herbert all his life.
Herbert was a natural athlete, a leader and a talented engineer. His loss was felt by his fellow soldiers, and all who knew him.
When he was killed his commanding officer witnessed his death and got a grid reference. No body could be recovered as it is believed that further shelling destroyed the site. He has no grave and is commemorated on the Louverval Memorial. We only know this because my Great Grandmother received a lovely letter from Herbert's commanding officer explaining what had happened.
History has not looked kindly on the Bourlon Wood campaign, in terms of organisation and outcomes. Such a terrible waste.