Researching letters about a soldier's death

[tiswot]

Hi Folks

Does anyone have any pointers or ideas on how I can find out anything about the above 47thHAG personnel? Especially the officers.

I have a series of letters written after the death of 2/L JE Baskott on the 10.12.1917 from various personnel and it would be interesting to find out a little more about them. I've done searches on Ancestry but can't find any of them, also on the CWGC site.

Any assistance gratefully received.

Liz

[KevinBattle]

Baskotts unit is shown as

Name: BASKOTT, JAMES EDWARD

Initials: J E

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery

Unit Text: 193rd Siege By.

Age: 27

Date of Death: 11/12/1917

Awards: M M

Additional information: Son of Walter Fred and Elizabeth Baskott, of East Haddon, Northants. Native of Rugby.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: III. BB. 37.

Cemetery: MENDINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY

which may have made your search difficult.

There is also his brother:-

Name: BASKOTT, EDWARD

Initials: E

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers

Unit Text: 34th Bn.

Secondary Regiment: Labour Corps

Secondary Unit Text: transf. to (60301) 101st Coy.

Age: 23

Date of Death: 14/05/1918

Service No: 54685

Additional information: Son of Walter and Elizabeth Baskott, of East Hadden, Northants. Native of Rugby.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: P. XI. I. 5B.

Cemetery: ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN

I could only find only one casualty for the Heavy Artillery Group

Name: PURCHAS, ARTHUR OSBORNE

Initials: A O

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Acting Bombardier

Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery

Unit Text: 47th Heavy Artillery Group

Age: 20

Date of Death: 28/11/1917

Service No: 337330

Additional information: Son of the late A. H. and A. D. Purchas, of Sunderland, Co. Durham.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: III. E. 17.

Cemetery: ABBEVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

but there are 50 serving with RGA units starting with 47th....

[tiswot]

Thank you Kevin W4. I knew all the info on the Baskotts. My interest is in the men who served with JEBaskott, and wrote the letters. So far the names are;

1) Capt FE Andrews

2) Major CE Horner

3) 2/Lt WJ Clarke.

Liz

[IPT]

I thought Horner rang a bell...

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...6&hl=horner

[ianw]

Good info on Horner in that old thread - and he came up through the ranks like Bascott. Sounds like a good unit.

[ororkep]

Liz,

10.12.1917. 193 position Canal Bank Ypres (old position of 256 SB):

While in action 2/Lieut BASKOTT though wounded, endeavoured to put out some blazing cartridges which had been hit by an enemy shell, assisted by Sgt ARROWSMITH and a/Bdr TAIT. Another shell burst close by wounding all three. Baskott succumbing to his wounds early next morning. Sgt STANLEY and Bde HALE also showed great bravery in finally subduing the fire. But for the prompt action and devotion to duty shown by this Officer and these NCO’s the fire would have reached a large pile of cartridges.

F. E. ANDREWS DSO was a/Lieut Col of 47 HAG at the time.

None of your other names appear in the 47 HAG WD, as 193 only joined the group in mid November.

If I have the correct man, James Edward BASCOTT was only promoted from the ranks in July 1917, originally Bdr 43393 with 12 Hvy Bty.

No doubt Gunner No1 will be along and able to assist more in due course.

Rgds Paul

[tiswot]

YOu guys are AWESOME! Thank you so much. Horner is tracked down now to start on the rest....

I knew how Jim died, and have always felt so proud of him. It's good to know I have some of the same genes as him.

Much, much appreciated.

Lizx

[Paul Chapman]

Uncanny, but the day you were recording / exchanging details re. J.E. Baskott, I was at East Haddon photographing the memorial in St. Mary's Churchyard.