World War I Casualties

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Wilmer Basil Thomas

Born 20^th September 1887 Carrick the son of John Kidd and Georgina Wilmer (nee Gorringe) a 27 year old clerk he enlisted Helena Vale Western Australia and served with the 11^th Battalion  

He was killed in action 21^st July 1917 and is commemorated in the Reninghelst New Military Cemetery 

LETTERS FROM THE FRONT.

DIG! DIG! DIG! Corporal Basil T. Wilmer, writing from the trenches, Gallipoli, where he has been in the firing line ever since his return from Malta Hospital, says:-"I was among the 1500 men of the 3rd Brigade who were the first to land, and acted as covering party to the rest of the division, and returned to the front on May 15. I have seen exciting times and plenty of fighting. I was lucky to be back for the big Turkish attack on May 18. They attacked at dawn, and came on just like a big football crowd over the brow of a hill to the left of where 1 was stationed. I fired till my arms ached, and the flash of our rifles seemed just like a sheet of flame along our line in the semi-light. They couldn't stand our accurate fire, and were simply mown down in hundreds. Not a Turk reached our trenches, and during the armistice I counted over 300 dead being buried in a cornfield of only about two acres in area. We have had plenty of hard work. It has been nothing but dig, dig, dig, and using pick and shovel since we landed, and all the hills are honeycombed with trenches and dug-outs. It just looks like a large mining camp. I am still feeling fit and well, and quite all right, and enjoying the excitement of trench life. The trenches are dry and snug, and we are all comfortable. There is plenty of good food-tinned meat, bacon, vegetables, and any amount of water for billy tea. "The 3rd Brigade is still doing splendid work, and we are giving the Turks a terrible drubbing. Their losses have been enormous. They won't face our bayonets at all. We are having beautiful weather and mild nights. Everyone is in splendid spirits, and as happy as sand larks. I am getting quite a war-hardened soldier now. I enjoyed the luxury of a swim in the sea yesterday-the first wash for over three weeks. We are still in the firing line, but things have slackened off a little, although there is fighting going on nearly all the time somewhere along the line. We are all contented, and bar a hard life, have suffered no actual hsrdship so far. I can't write you a letter, as writing paper is scarce, and worth its weight in gold, and an envelope would easily fetch half a guinea at present, so I am writing this on a cigarette-box lid. I was on outpost last night. It is rather trying to the nerves. I wish you could see us in the trenches. We are all gaunt, dirty, unwashed, and dressed in all sorts of uniforms. Clothes don't matter as the weather is warm and the nights mild. "Our trenches are getting close together, and we now have the sport of throwing bombs at each other. You can rest assured things are going on all right-slow, but sure. I have just had four days' sapping and tunnelling. It is hard work, but keeps one fit. I am alright, and still going strong, and manage to slip down at night now and again and have a dip in the briny. I saw Fred Fairthorne today, also my old D.M. Forest and Captain Gee. We are out of the firing line into dug-outs for a few days' spell, which we all need, after so many weeks in the trenches. We have been released from the firing line for three days by the Light Horse, and are at present in r serve for a rest. Today is a red-letter day, as we have a ration of fresh meat and bread, and have cooked the meat in canteen with onions. We each cook our own food mostly. I went down to the beach today, and had a swim in the briny. There were hundreds in, and it is most amusing to see the scatter when a shell comes flying over and bursting near; but no one takes much notice now, and one seems to know by instinct if it is going to burst near. We call them 'Gallipoli pigeons.' The health of the troops is splendid. There are very few sick up to date. The climate is glorious. Now we are in reserve, all the Eleventh are getting plenty of sleep, and rifle and shell fire at night don't disturb us in the least. My mate, Andy Foster, was killed by a shell on May 17. He was gathering wood down a gully, and a shell burst close, and he was struck in the back, dying almost immediately. I saw Fairthorne, Collins. Bennett, Orchard, and others in the fifth Battery yesterday and I am still enjoying the exciting life here, and so far have escaped without a scratch since returning. 'There have been two thunder storms this week, caused no doubt, by the heavy bombardments, but not a great deal of rain. We are continually hammering at Jacko with our guns, and slowly driving him from his strongly fortified positions. Naturally it is slow work. I hardly know what to write about. as the censor is so strict, and I have no idea if any correspondence, bar field post cards, goes through. We get a mail at irregular intervals, and it's the only thing to look forward to. You have no idea the intense eagerness with which we look forward to it. You will rejoice with me I know when you hear that I have at last managed to get a transfer from the infantry to the artillery. After 11 months of battling my O.C., who would never hear of a transfer, was wounded, and I managed to get his successor to grant me one, so have been transferred to a heavy battery, and as you know how I like artillery work you can realise what the change means to me. I am situated a lot nearer to the sea now, so manage to have a swim nearly every night. The sea bathing helps to keep us fit and healthy. I saw Jack Orchard yesterday; also Percy Nicholas, who is looking well, and has quite recovered from the wound he received in the shoulder. We are having fairly quiet times at present, and are eagerly looking forward to a general advance to little Jacko, and drive him right off Gallipoli. I have comfortable quarters where I am now, and shelter in wet weather; but we hope to be away before winter. It is glorious weather now, and real Mediterranean balmy nights, with long twilight.

Examiner 29^th September 1915

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