You will have received your dreadful news by telegram. I cannot tell
you what a terrible loss it has been to the whole regiment, whose
deepest sympathy you have. Our dear Colonel was killed on March 12th
at 5.30 p.m. as he rose to lead a charge, revolver in hand--a fine
example to us all. The end was instantaneous, no suffering.
His adjutant early next morning, out with me, was shot dead at my
side, and we last evening after dark buried them side by side close to
Neuve Chapelle. We had three terrific days' fighting (10th, 11th,
12th), and are still engaged. I will answer any questions you may ask
as soon as I can. I am writing this in the position we captured,
knowing that you must be longing for even a short letter. I cannot
tell you what a _loss_ I have suffered. You have my very deepest
sympathy.
Yours most sincerely,
W. CLINTON BAKER.
Everything will be sent home in due course.
(_From the same._)
24/3/15.
I am glad to think that my hurried note was of some little comfort to
you. It was written practically during the battle, so you must excuse
its apparent briefness. My poor Colonel was absolutely without fear, a
splendid example, which I am glad to say the men well followed. The
grave is within two hundred yards of the German trenches and 50 yards
from where he fell. It is now marked with the rough cross we put up,
with his name on it, but I am getting a substantial one erected
similar to those he had put up for all the regiment who have fallen
during the last four months.
As he no doubt told you, we attended the Holy Communion together only
five days before he fell.... I will have "Peace, perfect Peace" put on
the cross. His sword was sent off to Cox and Co. about the 5th, and
they will send it to you, together with all his other effects which
have been sent off. But you should write to them.
I cannot tell you how I miss him; we were so much together every day
and every night. Don't hesitate to write to ask me questions.
The first part of the fight I think he wrote and told you about; I
know he said he was engaged in writing to you, on the 11th I think it
was. The 10th was the day on which we stormed the trenches and took
Neuve Chapelle. On the 11th we did little except get shelled, as we
tried to sleep in some German trenches. On the morning of the 12th we
were again in Neuve Chapelle, and for 2-1/2 hours endured a terrific
shelling to which he paid no heed, and, as I told you, the fatal shot
came at 5.20 p.m. just as, revolver in hand, I saw him about to get
over our parapet and lead a charge. A true soldier's Death. Should I
write to his Mother? I would rather not if you can do so, but will, of
course, if you wish it. I am so sorry for you and for your poor
children.
Yours very sincerely,
W. CLINTON BAKER.
(_From the same._)
1. R.I. RIFLES
12/4/15.
I am afraid I have been a very long time answering your letter of
March 30th.
I hope you will be able to get a photograph of the grave, as Capt.
Jeffares of our fourth Battalion, now attached to the 2nd Munster
Fusiliers, who knew the Colonel well, writes that he has taken a
photograph of it and will send you one. There will probably be only a
rough cross on the grave, which we put up on the day he was buried.
Capt. Jeffares wrote that he had tidied up round the grave.
One of our men soon after the fight wrote home as follows:--"Our
Colonel and Adjutant lie side by side guarding the ground won till the
last Trump!"
We have now lost Capt. Lanyon, very sad, so soon after Capt. Biscoe
being killed. They had been inseparable friends for years.
Yours sincerely,
W. CLINTON BAKER.
(_From Brigadier-General Oldfield (at this time Major R.F.A., attached
Royal Irish Rifles) to Hon. Lady Ross of Bladensburg._)
ON F.S.
18/3/15.