William Henry SEDGWICK

29 October 1915

SKIPTONIANS IN MESOPOTAMIA

The following letter was received by us yesterday:–

62nd Battery R.F.A.,
6th Poona Division,
Indian Expeditionary Force D,
Mesopotamia,
September 21st.

Dear Sir,–Would you mind inserting this in your valuable paper. There are six or seven Skipton and district lads in my Brigade and battery out here, fighting for England in one of the farthest corners of the world, and as we never get any papers or presents from home, I thought I would write and ask what you could do for us. If any people at home care to send a parcel or write, it will be greatly appreciated by us out here. Mouth-organs, razors, and eatables, and writing pads are wanted mostly.

Yours truly,
GUNNER H. SEDGWICK,
Indian Expeditionary Force D.

P.S.–We want music to cheer the Turks up so as to have a decent fight.

19 May 1916

SKIPTONIAN’S THRILLING EXPERIENCES

Relatives are anxiously awaiting news of Gunner Harry Sedgwick, of the 2nd Battery, Royal Field Artillery, Indian Expeditionary Force, son of Mr. Wm. Sedgwick, late of The Fleece Hotel, Skipton, who has served with General Townsend’s gallant army throughout the operations in Mesopotamia. No news has been received from him since the fall of the garrison, and for the present is presumed to have been captured there.

Gunner Sedgwick enlisted at the age of 17, and is now 23. When war broke out he was stationed in India and his regiment was one of the first to go out to Mesopotamia. His father served for some years in the Dragoon Guards.

A series of interesting letters, of which the following are a selection, have been received by Gunner Sedgwick’s brother, Mr. Tom Mason, 13, Walton Street, Skipton, and they give some indication of the heavy fighting that has taken place under terrible conditions in the operations which, after a magnificent stand, ended in a defeat which, if pluck and endurance count for anything, is worthy to rank with many victories. In one of the earliest of his letters Gunner Sedgwick states:–

“You will see by the above address that we are in Turkish-Arabia, or Mesopotamia, but I cannot tell you where. If you follow the map and look up the Persian Gulf, you will see where we landed. We had to fight our way up to Busra. That was the place we captured, but now we are a long way further up country. We had a few shells for dinner at Christmas, but they did not stop to greet us.”

One of his subsequent letters was written on the back of a curious document, containing two large stamps and several endorsements in mysterious hieroglyphics, which Gunner Sedgwick particularly asked should be preserved. Along with it was a blank cheque, presumably Turkish, taken from the enemy. This letter stated:

“We have had a rough time of it so far. One regiment lost 200 killed and wounded, but later on got their own back by putting out a unit of the enemy. Yesterday I had a bullet through my helmet, and another through my sleeve. It did not draw blood, but it was a narrow shave.”

A BATTLE IN THE DESERT

In a subsequent communication, at the outset of which he acknowledges the receipt of cigarettes (which he shared with his colleagues who had not had a “fag” for three weeks), he gives a thrilling account of an encounter in the desert. He states:– “We marched out of camp at 4 o’clock one morning, joined the troops of our division and proceeded across the desert towards ----- which was our outpost blockhouse. The Turks were reported to have been seen near -----. We had got five miles from camp, going through water and sand up to our knees, when the enemy were reported on our flank. Half an hour later a message was received from our rear-guard that the enemy were attacking. A rear-guard action followed, my gun being ordered to go into action while the remainder got clear of the water, so that they could cover our retreat on the main body.

"We had not long to wait before our infantry and cavalry got to us and we could see the Turks advancing through the water. We opened fire at 3,400 yard’s range and nearly got it with the second shot. The Turks did not like it – all at once there was white smoke and all you could see was a big gap. It lasted for hour, and as the Turks had had enough they retired, we went back to the main body to begin our advance. Nothing happened, only sniping at our flanks and rear. We arrived at -----, and had just got into camp when the Turkish cavalry, about 2,000, galloped across our front, and we had to saddle up to meet them, which we did by a charge of the native cavalry, finishing with ten rounds from our gun. We were at it three hours and the best of it was it began to rain and it did not stop until the following night.

“Reveille sounded at 4 am and we marched out at 5 to where the Turks were reported to be encamped about eight miles north of -----. Here we found a big army corps led by German officers. They had about 22 guns to us 6, but still they did not attack. We could see them retreating and my battery, along with the cavalry, got within 7,000 yards, when they opened fire, doing little damage except amongst the horses of a troop of cavalry on our flank. We got the order to retire as they numbered 20,000 (about 10 to one against us). When we began to fall back on ----- they began to attack and we kept dropping into action to cover our infantry. We did a lot of damage, putting five guns out of action and killing hundreds. They advanced in crowds. Our casualties were five killed and 20 wounded. Those killed were Red Cross men who were bringing in the wounded.

“You must remember that the Turks take no prisoners, neither do they bother with wounded. We had got within a mile of our entanglements when I received a bullet through my helmet and flesh wound on the left arm, otherwise I was all right. Now we are waiting for reinforcements before we make our final engagement to wipe them out. Meanwhile news has come that the enemy have got further reinforcements, consisting of four regiments of cavalry and infantry. They look nice when a distance away, all dressed in white with turbans and mounted on Arab ponies. You must understand that these fellows are fanatics and know no fear. They will come on even when they are getting shot down in scores, as their belief is that they go to Allah and heaven when they get killed.

“There is one thing they do not understand, and that is our 13-pounder gun, as each shot kills a lot at once instead of one. The nearest they got to our gun was 1,500 yards when they tried to charge it with their cavalry. I do not think they will try it again, as not many got back out of range. I am not allowed to tell you about our latest engagement yet.”

BLOWING UP A VILLAGE.

In one of the most recent of his letters, Gunner Sedgwick gives an account of a struggle for possession of a village on the Tigris. He states:– “ We moved from Busra on April 2nd to somewhere in Persia, making the journey by gunboat up the Tigris. Early on the morning of the 3rd we were fired on by the enemy in the village, so the General in command ordered a party of the regiment and gunners to land and blow it up with dynamite. We landed 25 infantry and 30 gunners and marched towards the village, the infantry in advance and us in the rear with dynamite, picks and spades.

“We could see the enemy out on the desert, so we thought there would not be many troops in the village; we were wrong. When we got within 200 yards of the place we had to come into the open. We had nicely got out when 'bang, bang,' and then followed volley after volley – they knew what we were up to and meant to stop us. It was a lovely trap, but they worked it too soon. I gently laid down my charge of dynamite, as I did not want to be blown to bits, laid myself down, and opened fire at 100 yard’s range.

“We could not move for for two hours as our gunboat opened fire, and when we did get a move it was with the infantry who fixed bayonets and charged. We followed with clubbed rifles, as it was a case of having to go on to get under cover of the walls. When we got there we found them in scores, but 'chickens,' and went for them, the gunners with clubbed rifles and the infantry with the bayonet. It was a regular scrap for half an hour. Then they ‘nipped,’ as they always do, out in the desert. Honestly, I thought my number was up, but I came through with only losing my jacket and helmet. We had five casualties, all wounded and not seriously. They lost 15 killed and 14 wounded and prisoners. Later we blew the place up and returned to the boat and went to our present encampment, which we reached the following day.”

09 June 1916

SKIPTON SOLDIER A PRISONER OF WAR

Mr. T. Mason, of 13, Walton Street, Skipton, has received the following communication from an officer at the Record Office, Woolwich, with respect to his brother, Gunner W. H. Sedgwick, of the 32nd Battalion, Royal Field Artillery, Indian Expeditionary Force, and son of the late Mr. William Sedgwick, of the Fleece Hotel, Skipton:– “I regret to inform you that I have received notice from The Base, Basra, that No. 66282 Gunner W. H. Sedgwick, who has been serving with Major-General. C.V.F. Townshend’s Force at Kut-el-Amara, is a prisoner of war. I do not yet know where he is interned, but as soon as the information comes to hand you will be informed.”

In reply to an inquiry made by Mr. Walton, he has received a letter from the secretary to the War Office stating that so far as is at present known, correspondence for members of the Force which served at Kut-el-Amara might be addressed as follows:– Name, rank, regiment; British prisoner of war in Turkey (from Mesopotamia), c/o G.P.O London, E.C.

Some time must elapse before letters and parcels could reach the addresses, and it was advisable that parcels should not be sent until more definite information was received as to the location of the prisoner referred to.

15 December 1916

A PRISONER IN TURKEY – SKIPTON SOLDIER’S PITIABLE PLIGHT

A letter which reached Skipton on Saturday morning from Turkey confirms the fears which are held in official circles in this country as to the fate of English soldiers who are prisoners of the Turks. The letter was received by Mr. Tom Mason, of 13, Walton Street, Keighley Road, from his brother, Gunner Harry Sedgwick, of the Royal Field Artillery, Indian Expeditionary Force, who fell into the hands of the Turks after the fall of General Townshend’s garrison at Kut.

Gunner Sedgwick writes:– “I expect you will have read about the Battle of Solomon Pack and the retirement of 30 miles to Kut-el-Amara, where began the siege and fall. Well, I am a prisoner of war and my health is none too good, so if you could send a few things out, cigarettes and eatables, I should be glad. Write and tell Flo you have heard from me, as it will be a long time before I shall be able to write again. I shall be glad when the war is over now, as I want to get home.”

The letter is dated September 24th last, so it has taken it nearly three months to reach its destination. The address of the writer is not given, and Gunner Sedgwick asks his brother to write to the War Office for it, the inference being that the Turks keep the locality of their internment camps or prisons a secret. It appears to be generally well known that the Turks have not too much food for themselves, and the plight of the poor English soldiers who have had the misfortune to fall into their hands is undoubtedly a most pitiable one. There are several religious and philanthropic agencies at present at work in the town preparing to send local lads in the Forces a Christmas present, and it is to be sincerely hoped that such men as Gunner Sedgwick will not be forgotten. There are other Skipton men who are prisoners of war, either in Germany or Turkey, and the lot of these poor fellows would be brightened – temporarily at any rate – by the receipt of a parcel of food and other necessities from friends in their native town.

Gunner Sedgwick, it may be added, is a son of the late Mr. Wm. Sedgwick, late of the Fleece Hotel, Skipton, and he served with General Townshend’s gallant little force throughout the operations in Mesopotamia. He enlisted six years ago – when only seventeen – and at the outbreak of war was stationed in India, his regiment being one of the first to go out to Mesopotamia. His father, it is interesting to recall, was also a soldier, serving some years with the famous Dragoon Guards. It is twelve months since Mr. Mason previously heard from his brother, and in the meantime much has happened in Turkey.

15 June 1917

SEDGWICK – October 7th 1916, at Tarsus, of dysentery, while a prisoner of war, Gunner W. H. Sedgwick. R.F.A., Indian Expeditionary Force, son of the late Mr. Wm. Sedgwick, formerly of the Fleece Hotel, Skipton.

15 June 1917

A KUT HERO – GUNNER SEDGWICK, SKIPTON, DIES AT TARSUS

We regret to hear that Gunner Harry Sedgwick, R.F.A., Indian Expeditionary Force, son of the late Mr. Wm. Sedgwick, a former landlord of the Fleece Hotel, Skipton, who was taken prisoner by the Turks after the fall of General Townshend’s garrison at Kut, died on October 7th last from dysentery at Tarsus. For over twelve months he had been kept in close confinement at an unknown place by the Turks. The sad news has only reached Skipton this week in a letter to Mr. Tom Mason, of 13, Walton Street, Keighley Road (deceased’s stepbrother) from the Central Prisoners of War Committee which states:– “Regret to inform you that according to an Ottoman Red Crescent list Gunner W. H. Sedgwick, R.F.A, is reported to have died at Tarsus Hospital on October 7th of last year of dysentery.”

For many months fears have been held in official circles in this country as to the treatment meted out to English soldiers who have fallen into the hand of the Turks, and these fears have been well grounded as was confirmed by a letter received by Mr. Mason from Gunner Sedgwick in December last as follows:– “I expect you will have read about the Battle of Solomon-Pack and the retirement of 30 miles to Kut-el-Amara, where began the siege and fall. Well, I am a prisoner of war and my health is none too good, so if you could send a few things out, cigarettes and eatables, I should be glad. Write and tell Flo you have heard from me, as it will be a long time before I shall be able to write again. I shall be glad when the war is over now, as I want to get home.”

The letter was dated September 24th last, and it took it nearly three months to reach its destination. The address of the writer was not given, and Gunner Sedgwick asked his brother to write to the War Office for it. The only inference from this was that the Turks keep the locality of their internment camps or prisons a secret. It appears to have been generally well-known that the Turks had not for a long time had too much food for themselves, and the plight of the poor English soldiers who have had the misfortune to fall into their hands has all along been a most pitiable one.

Gunner Sedgwick served with General Townshend’s gallant little force throughout the operations in Mesopotamia. He enlisted six years ago – when only seventeen – and at the outbreak of war was stationed in India, his regiment being one of the first to go out to Mesopotamia. His father, it is interesting to recall, was also a soldier, serving some years with the famous Dragoon Guards.

05 October 1917

SEDGWICK – In loving memory of Gunner H. Sedgwick, who died at Tarsus whilst a Turkish prisoner of war, October 9th 1916.

Sleep on, dear brother, in a far off land,
In a grave we may never see;
But as long as life and memory last,
We will remember thee.

From Brother and Sisters.

10 October 1919

SEDGWICK – In loving memory of our dear brother, Gunner W. H. Sedgwick, who died at Tarsus whilst a prisoner in Turkish hands.

“Gone West” with the glory of the setting sun,
To an endless day of well-earned rest;
For another hero’s part is done
And another soul “Gone West.”

From Mothers and Sisters, London and Skipton.

08 October 1920

SEDGWICK – In loving memory of our dear brother, Gunner W. H. Sedgwick, who died at Tarsus, whilst a Turkish prisoner of war, October 9th, 1916.

“Though time rolls on, still memory clings.”

From Brother and Sisters.

07 October 1921

SEDGWICK – In loving memory of our dear brother, Gunner W. H. Sedgwick, R.F.A., who died while a prisoner of war in Turkey, Oct. 7th, 1916.

Time may pass from year to year,
And friends from day to day,
But never will the one we love
From memory fade away.

From his loving Brother and Sisters.