War Diary 19 Aug

Le Sart Sector 19th Aug: Right Front Battalion. W and Y Coys followed up their previous day advance and took up a position along the W side of river BOURRE running N and S from SAW MILLS.  They remained here for the day and sent patrols across the river to MERVILLE at dusk. ENEMY gas shells fell.

Casualties 16 O.R.s

War Diary 20 Aug

Le Sart Sector 20th Aug: Our patrols returned at 1.15am and reported the town of MERVILLE was not occupied by the enemy. W and Y Coys then crossed the river at 5am and established a line N/S. At 7am X and Z Coys went through the front line. Coys crossed the LYS canal and establish a line E of the canal. Enemy heavily shelled the area with HE and gas and inflicted several casualties. 

Casualties 13

Newspaper Report

Official intimation has been received from the War Office by Mrs S Begley, New-street, Shipston-on-Stour, that her husband Sergt Sam Begley was killed in France on August 20. Sergt Begley joined the forces in 1914 and went to France in July 1915. After nearly two years service in France he was wounded in the head in May 1917. On his recovery he went to France again on March 31, 1918. He had seen a lot of fighting. He was 26 years of age, and since joining the army he has married, and leaves a widow and one son.

In a letter received by Mrs Begley from the officer in command of the platoon, sympathising with her in her bereavement he says – “It is my sad task to tell you of your husband’s death. We moved forward at dawn to follow up the enemy, and at 7:30am were moving forward in extended order. At about 8am an enemy machine gun opened fire on us, and unfortunately your husband was hit in the forehead by one of the bullets. He was immediately tended to by my splendid stretcher-bearers, but without avail, as he died 15 minutes later. However, I can assure you that he felt absolutely no pain and probably never knew that he was hit.  He died at about 8:15am on Tuesday August 20th and was taken to battalion headquarters. I believe he will be or has been properly buried  in a  cemetery. I cannot tell you  where he fell, but I will keep the map reference, and will probably write to you again when I get to England. 

He was my constant companion on my night vigils in the line, and his conduct and help at all times left nothing to be desired; in addition he gained the respect and admiration of all officers and men in the whole company.  The commanding officer has just been in and endorsed all of my statements. In conclusion, may I extend my heartfelt sympathy, and if I can give you any further information I shall be very pleased to do so.  F J Wells 2nd Lieut”