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WW1
Sweeney, Edward Richard
He died 11th August 1918 at the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station France from a gunshot wound to the head at Harbonnieres and was buried in the Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Major Gee, A.F.A., writing from Launceston to Mrs. Sweeney, Arthur Street, Hobart, says: - Dear Mrs Sweeney,-In case a letter which I wrote you from France on the 11th August last may have failed to reach you, I am just sending a few lines to give you particulars of your son's death, and also of the very excellent work he did during his four years' service with the 9th Battery. I hope to visit Hobart before Christmas and will then call and give you fuller details. On the 8th August last, the 9th Battery was in the forefront of the big advance through the German lines, and continued following up the retreating enemy who fought hard as they were driven back. About 6 p.m. on the 10th August I was taking the battery through Harbonnieres, a French village near the Somme, which had been captured the previous day, and when almost through the village was shelled by heavy German guns. Your son was driving in a gun team when a shell burst almost under his horses, and he was fatally wounded in the head and side. Three other men with him were also badly hit. My battery captain (Captain Faulkner) had the wounded men carried into a dressing station, where they received every possible attention, but your son was beyond aid, and died either that night or the next morning. The doctors told me that he was unconscious and felt no pain at all. So far I have not been able to learn where he is buried, but am trying to get this information. He has probably been laid to rest in a military cemetery at Harbonnieres where he was killed. His grave will, of course, be registered and marked with a cross. Personally, I felt his loss very keenly for during all his services with the battery he always did his duty faithfully and well, and his general conduct was exemplary. He was a good, clean living soldier, and because he was so reliable I selected him for my own personal mounted orderly and trumpeter. He was with me in this capacity until 1 went away wounded from Messines, when he was made a driver. "Ted," as he was called, was a general favourite with all, and was very much missed by his comrades, several of whom wrote to his father and yourself. I know it is very hard for you to lose him, but you must remember that you and Mr. Sweeney have every reason to be proud of having given such a splendid son to the great cause, more especially as the sacrifice has not been in vain. Knowing Ted as I did, I am certain he would not have begrudged giving his life to help gain the glorious victory which now is ours, a victory which we had to win if the world was to be habitable by decent people. We have reason, also, to be thankful that he suffered no pain. The Mercury 16th December 1918
Photo Courtesy Roger Clifford
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