BottsGreys Posted 7 July , 2004 Share Posted 7 July , 2004 We have had several threads over the past few months about the form, nature, and importance of condolence letters to NOK regarding the fallen. I thought this case might be a good example of just how these letters were probably cherished and, in this case, even utilized by their recipients. Below and following post is a scan of either a file copy or the officer's personal copy of a condolence letter to the family of this man: Bidmead, Stanley Mollet Number: 15106 Rank: Sapper [spr] Unit: 4th Div Signal Coy Australian Engineers Service: Army Conflict: 1914-1918 Date of Death: 08/12/1917 Place of Death: Cause of Death: Died of wounds Memorial Panel: 25 Cemetery or Memorial Details: FRANCE 102 Bologne Eastern Cemetery Next Of Kin: Place Of Enlistment: Fremantle, WA Native Place: St Peters Adelaide SA Notes: BIDMEAD, Spr. Stanley Mollet, 15106. 4th Div. Signal Coy. Australian Engineers. Died of wounds (gas) 8th Dec., 1917. Age 20. Son of Joseph Thomas and Adelaide Mary Bidmead, of 162, Watkins St., Fremantle, Western Australia. Native of St. Peters, Adelaide, South Australia. VIII. I. 129. Source: AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottsGreys Posted 7 July , 2004 Author Share Posted 7 July , 2004 and 2nd page below. See next post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottsGreys Posted 7 July , 2004 Author Share Posted 7 July , 2004 In researching Stanley Bidmead on the Australian War Memorial and its Roll of Honor, I was lucky enough to make this discovery--Below is a copy (terrible clarity, I know) of question #7 on the questionaire the family filled out to have their son's name included on the Australian Roll of Honor. The questions asks, "Any other biographical details likely to be of interest to the Historian of the A.I.F. or of his Regiment." In reply, the parents have quoted Lt. Burns' condolence letter almost verbatim, "Lieut. Burns wrote he was one of three men in an important sig. station vicinity of Louvebeke [sic] All three were gassed..." Proof that in this case at least, the writing of a condolence letter payed large emotional dividends for the soldier's family. I thought this might be of interest to others doing research. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desmond7 Posted 7 July , 2004 Share Posted 7 July , 2004 Botts - loved the post. Further confirmation to me of the immense pride that bereaved families had in their loved ones and just how therapeutic - if I can use that term - these letters were. One can imagine them being thumbed over again and again. As a modern day journalist, working on weekly community papers, I never cease to be amazed at the willingness of 1914-18 families to put these documents into the public view in local papers etc. They are often a wonderful historic resource. Des Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted 7 July , 2004 Share Posted 7 July , 2004 They are often a wonderful historic resource. They certainly are. It also, in some ways, dispels the idea that the "officer class" was dispassionate and had no or very little personal regard for their men. Most wrote these letters, not because they had to, but because they felt it was the right thing to do. Great post Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Miller Posted 7 July , 2004 Share Posted 7 July , 2004 Chris, an excellent post, and good researching. Although sometimes it is commented that these letters gloss over the nature of the soldiers' deaths, I think they must have helped the bereaved families. One can imagine the grief felt anew on each proud, emotional reading, but at the same time, the gaping wound left by loss of a dear one, whilst never to be fully healed, might have been just a little less raw each time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stevenbec Posted 7 July , 2004 Share Posted 7 July , 2004 Mate, Its also good to check out the Red Cross Cards to see if he gets a mention. If lucky there are some good discriptions of those actions which the soldier was lost. We also see the many different veiws that soldiers take during an action. S.B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottsGreys Posted 8 July , 2004 Author Share Posted 8 July , 2004 Thanks everyone--the great thing in doing such a post is getting everyone's thoughts, suggestions, and insights about the subject, the sharing of which are deeply appreciated. Chris Jon: Did you get my PM to you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_davies Posted 8 July , 2004 Share Posted 8 July , 2004 Further to Steve's post Stanley's Red Cross records are here: http://www.awm.gov.au/database/1drl428_dis...x=14&submit.y=7 Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted 8 July , 2004 Share Posted 8 July , 2004 Hi Chris It was great to see your post as Stanley Bidmead is one of the Fremantle soldiers that I'm researching. Around 650 soldiers from Fremantle died in WW1 The details I have on him which don't differ much from what you have already shown are 15106 - Spr Stanley Mollet Bidmead - 4th Division Signal Company - Died of Wounds (Gas) 08/12/17 - Bologne Eastern Cemetery VIII.I.129 - Born St Peters South Australia & on enlistment lived at 162 Watkins St South Fremantle - Telephonist - Age 20 - Attended Fremantle Boys School and was & Naval Cadet - Enlisted 28/05/16 - Next of Kin (Father) Joseph Bidmead The only other Fremantle soldier who died with the 4th Division Signal Company, Sapper Carl Eliasson, also died of Gas poisoning, but he died on the 25/10/18 and is buried at Gloucestershire British Cemetery. Am currently trying to find photos of both so if I find any on Bidmead I'll let you know. Cheers Andrew Pittaway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Miller Posted 8 July , 2004 Share Posted 8 July , 2004 Hi Chris, Yes, PM received, and all being well, all missions should be accomplished. Jon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottsGreys Posted 8 July , 2004 Author Share Posted 8 July , 2004 Following on Steven's excellent suggestion and Jim's kindness in locating and providing me a link, I checked the Red Cross records for Stanley did find some very worthwhile info. As shown below, we can see that his parents, perhaps prompted by Lt. Burns' letter to them asked the RC to inquire about the circumstances into his death. Andrew P: I'm glad to have put forth something of interest--it's great to know that you are researching Stanley and the others from Fremantle. Now I know of a good home for this letter should I ever want to part with it. I certainly would like to see an image of S. if you ever locate one. If anything else turns up about him or any other Fremantle casualty, I will contact you. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottsGreys Posted 8 July , 2004 Author Share Posted 8 July , 2004 Here is the medical-related portion of the reply to the RC's inquiry. Although Stanley's gallantry on the battlefield should could be cause for celebration, it appears that his death was a, slow, ugly one. If I am correct in understanding this, he had already been infected with tuberculosis, but the disease had yet to make its appearance before the gassing. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottsGreys Posted 8 July , 2004 Author Share Posted 8 July , 2004 Jon: RePhoto--if convenient in your travels then by all means, and with great thanks for your consideration. Have a safe trip! Chris P.S. Bring me back Sophie Marceau if you run into her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john w. Posted 8 July , 2004 Share Posted 8 July , 2004 What am cracking tale is opening up here... one in true PALS style.. help all over the place... John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stevenbec Posted 9 July , 2004 Share Posted 9 July , 2004 I was wondering if the CO of the 3rd Canadian Hosp is known as I didn't notice his name on the document. And if this is mentioned in their unit War Diary. Over to our Canadian PALS S.B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted 9 July , 2004 Share Posted 9 July , 2004 Thanks for that Chris. It doesn't sound like a very quick death for poor Stanley. On his service record it is stated that he had Gas Conjunctivitis which doesn't sound very nice at all. For those interested his service record is available on the National Archives of Australia website http://www.naa.gov.au Then hit the record search button & type Bidmead & 1914-1918 in the date range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottsGreys Posted 9 July , 2004 Author Share Posted 9 July , 2004 I was wondering if the CO of the 3rd Canadian Hosp is known as I didn't notice his name on the document. Steven: There was a copy in the Red Cross file which contained only the medical info paragraph and was much clearer for a scan, so I only scanned it. Below is the page two of the letter from the hospital back to the RC which contained only that same meidcal info, plus the C.O. signature. As you can see, it's not the easiest to make out. I read it as perhaps J.W. or J.M. Elden Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dinkidi Posted 10 July , 2004 Share Posted 10 July , 2004 G'day. This raises an issue which has been bubbling away in the sub-concious for a while. The lower section of the attached memorandum to the NoK of WW1 casualties is headed "Particulars required for the Nation's Histories". Would it be too extreme to express the view that this was a cruel hoax perpetrated by an uncaring Government on a very traumatised section of its population. There does not appear to have been any intention to accumulate the 'particulars' into any formal history. OK. The records may now, in this age of computerised data systems, provide a personal touch to dedicated researchers, but at what emotional cost to the respondants. Flicking through a very small sample will usually convey the impression that they thought 'their man' would receive due recognition for his efforts. Almost unanimously they find the 'space insufficient' for telling HIS story, and probably waited for the Historians' knock on their door. I jist dunno! ooRoo Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dinkidi Posted 10 July , 2004 Share Posted 10 July , 2004 Blarsted teknology! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted 10 July , 2004 Share Posted 10 July , 2004 I have seen several nok sheets where families attached more pages onto the end as they must have wanted to expand on those few lines allowed to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottsGreys Posted 4 August , 2004 Author Share Posted 4 August , 2004 Many thanks to Forum member Jon Miller, who once again "delivered the goods" and provided this terrific photo of Stanley Bidmead's gravesite, Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. Thanks so much, Jon. Well, I've tried 6-8 times with no luck. It appears that the mothership isn't doesn't want this pic to dock. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted 6 August , 2004 Share Posted 6 August , 2004 Thanks to Jon & Chris for sharing this photo of Stanley's grave. Regards Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted 9 December , 2004 Share Posted 9 December , 2004 Hi Chris I've been asked to nominate some names of soldiers I'm researching for inclusion for future street names for the Fremantle Region. I've included Stanley Bidmead among the 5 names I'm nominating so hopefully in the future there will be a Bidmead street, road or avenue in Fremantle. Regards Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottsGreys Posted 10 December , 2004 Author Share Posted 10 December , 2004 Andrew: Cool--so very cool! Hats off to you for your efforts with the Fremantle guys and, most of all, Bravo for the memory of Stanley Bidmead. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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