Summary
Letter written by 'Did' to Mr Galbraith, telling him how his son Sapper Alfred Galbraith had been killed by an exploding shell the previous night. The letter is addressed ' Dear Friend' and signed 'Did' and an unclear surname, but is almost certainly is Driver Clarence McArthur Fraser (AKA 'Clarrie'), a friend of Alf's from Essendon.
'Did' writes: 'he was attached to a brigade section of our company, and consequently was stationed nearer the trenches than myself. The fatality occurred last night about eight o'clock, as he and three others were moving from one dugout to another; one shell passed over their heads and they took no notice, but the next minute a bigger one exploded right beside them; two escaped injury, one named Johnson was killed outright, and poor old Alf lived but a few minutes.' 'Did' writes that he was told this account by an eyewitness, and stresses that Alfred 'died as a soldier and a hero and I am sure that you are more proud of him now, than if he had stayed a slacker at home.'
Born in Maryborough, Sapper Alfred George Finlay Galbraith was the son of Alfred and Amy C. Galbraith, of W.R. Institute, Flinders Street, Station Buildings, Melbourne. He trained as electrical engineer and enlisted in the Australian Army at the age of 20, in July 1915. His father gave written permission for him to join 'the Military Forces to serve the Empire abroad'.
Galbraith served in the 5th Division Signalling Company, Australian Engineers, AIF, embarking from Melbourne on 23 November 1915 on the 'Ceramic'. He went to Egypt for further training, then was shipped to France, disembarking 27 June 1916 at Marseilles. Less than three weeks later, on 15 July, he received a wound in the thigh and a 'penetrating wound in the neck'. He died the same day at the 8th Australian Field Ambulance. He is buried at 254 Sailly-Sur-La-Lys Canadian Cemetery, France.
After he was killed in action, Sapper Galbraith's other personal effects to his next-of-kin, his father Alfred Galbraith. Included in the packet were a bible, two wallets, letters, photographs, two diaries, a pipe in a case, a cigarette holder, a tie clip, a steel mirror and six coins.
Physical Description
Two-page letter, hand-written in purple pencil on lined paper. Paper is now yellowed, stained, deeply creased, crumpled and torn at folds.
More Information
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Collection Names
Returned and Services League (RSL) Collection, Military Memorabilia Collection
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation & Subsequent Transfer from Mrs M. Jamieson, May 1985
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Author (Probable)
Mr Clarence McArthur Fraser, Flanders, France, 21 Dec 1916
Possible author -
Addressed To
Mr Alfred Galbraith Senior, Essendon, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 16 Jul 1915
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Person Named
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Organisation Named
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Organisation Named
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Language
English
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Inscriptions
Hand-written in pencil on the first page, upper right corner: 'Somewhere in France / 16/7/16' Hand-written in pencil on the first page, body of text: 'Dear Friend / I have no doubt that long before / this letter reaches you, you will have heard / from the authorities, the terrible news of / Alf's death. / As you are aware, he was attached to a brigade / section of our company, and consequently was / stationed nearer the trenches than myself. / The fatality occurred last night about eight / o'clock, as he and three others were moving from / one dugout to another; one shell passed over / their heads and they took no notice, but the next / minute a bigger one exploded right beside / them; two escaped injury, one named Johnson / was killed outright, and poor old Alf lived but / a few minutes. / This information is correct, Mr Galbraith, as I got it / from eye-witnesses of the occurrence. / I went down to the hospital where the bodies/ were taken today, but could get no more / information that that given above. His personal / effects will be forwarded to you by the authorities' Hand-written in pencil on the second page, body of text: 'and I have one or two little things of his which I / shall send you at the first opportunity. / I know what a terrible blow this will be for / you all, and I feel his loss very much, but all I / can do under the circumstances is to offer you / my heartfelt sympathy. He was a good and true / friend to me and all [illeg.] / speak very highly of him, both as to his word / and personality. He died as a soldier and a / hero and I am sure that you are more proud / of him now, than is he had stayed a slacker / at home. / I am sure you have quite enough to worry you at / present Mr Galbraith so I will close, / Once again offering my sympathy / Yours sincerely / "Did" [illeg.]'
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Primary support
178 mm (Width), 216 mm (Height)
Page 1
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Primary support
178 mm (Width), 217 mm (Height)
Page 2
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Keywords
Australian Army, Australian Military Forces, Death & Mourning, Letters, Military Memorabilia, Wars & Conflicts, World War I, 1914-1918, Battle of the Somme (Somme Offensive), 1916