File:Letter (AM 2002.82.5-2).jpg

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Letter   (Wikidata search (Cirrus search) Wikidata query (SPARQL)  Create new Wikidata item based on this file)
Artist
Leslie Shaw
Title
Letter
Object type Letters home/wars; casualties/wars
Classification: NM3.12829
Description
English: Typescript copy of letter from Leslie Shaw, France, 27-10-1918, to his brothers and sisters, advising the death (killed in action) of their brother Leonard James Shaw on 29.9.1918.
Date 12 Sep 2002; 30 Sep 2002; 27 Oct 1918; World War 1, 1914-18-wars; 29 Sep 1918
Dimensions notes: 332 mm x 210 mm
institution QS:P195,Q758657
Accession number
2002.82.5
Place of creation France
Credit line Gift of the family of the late Jessie Pearson (née Osborne), niece of the late Leonard James Shaw
Notes typescript copy of letter from Leslie Shaw, France, 27-10-1918, to his brothers and sisters, advising the death (killed in action) of their brother Leonard James Shaw on 29.9.1918. "France 27th October 1918 My dear Brothers and Sisters, It is a hard matter to write of Len's supreme sacrifice as I know how sorrowful you all must be even now I can hardly believe that such a great loss can really be ours. I have just received a letter from his captain in which he speaks very highly of the work Len was doing and expressed great regret at not having met him as he was away on leave during the short time Len was with the battalion. It has been hard to get any particulars. All the officers in the Haurakis that day are casualties and there are few left who went over with him. But I was fortunate enough to meet one of the lads who was with him at the last and this is what he told me. The Haurakis were advancing in the side of the village but had to wait on the Wellingtons (on their right) who were held up by machine gun fire. The Wellingtons sent across for assistance and Len volunteered to go. The chap who gave me this account asked Len if he could go too and several of them crossed under fire from a rise where the Germans were putting up their stand. They had to advance over flat ground that gave no cover, the higher ground occupied by the German's giving them direct fire even into the shell holes that would otherwise have afforded some protection. Len, this chap and another rushed into a shell hole from which a Wellington machine gunner was firing and did a little sniping till the Wellingtons was wounded in the knee. Len then took the machine gun but had only fired about 5 rounds when a bullet struck in his neck. Though this account is brief we can see how nobly Len was playing the game and can feel sure Captain Montcrief meant his words when he wrote that Len was doing splendid work and was one of the most liked promising officers. Since it was decreed that he should lay down his life we can be thankful that he did not have to suffer. The men of course had to go in but on the 9th the day I met this chap he had gone back over the same ground to see if there was anything he could do. Len had been buried in the vicinity, by a small village, Beaulateause, a place you will not find unless you can procure a very detailed map. This is about 12 miles on the right of Cambia, somewhat in advance will give you some idea of the locality. Some few yards from the spot they found Len's batsman who had evidently been killed by a shell while trying to get away. By him on the ground they found Len's pocket book and binoculars. These they gave to me and I have sent the pocket book to Bella, intending to do the same with the binoculars when safe means offer. They can't be sent by post. We are now many miles in advance of this village but when the smallest opportunity offers I shall go back to Len's grave and shall then do all that is possible, attending to the making and naming of the monument as befitting. I am writing to the Padre to find out what has already been done. This is all I can tell you as yet. I am posting this to Mary as it would take some time to go from me to the others and I cannot write to you all if you perhaps some you could copy it and send the copy to others. Ever from your loving brother, Leslie Shaw" GENERAL NOTES- While serving overseas during WW1 Len Shaw (2nd Lieutenant Leonard James Shaw, 7-1323, 2nd Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment) of Opuatia near Mercer, corresponded with his niece Jessie Osborne (then aged 12-14 years). Among the letters she received is a letter enclosing a pressed poppy he had picked in the front-line trenches. Len Shaw was killed in action France on 29.9.1918. His brother Leslie Shaw wrote home describing the circumstances of his brother's death.
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