Saturday July 29th, 1916
KILLED IN ACTION
WASHER, Pte. George, the Pals, killed in action on July 5th. Pte. Washer was 25 years of age and deep sympathy is expressed with his parents and sisters and brother in their severe loss. He was well known in football circles as a Rugby forward of splendid physique, who played for his village club and the county. He was a general favourite with everybody. Enlisting in September, 1914, he went out to France with his regiment in September, 1915. He was wounded in October whilst out on a night bombing expedition. Although returning to France in February he only rejoined his regiment about a month before he was killed. The following letter relating to Pte. Washer’s death was received from his chum, Pte. Harry Warwick, on Tuesday:- Again I am called upon to write you at your son’s request, but this time I have worse news to tell you; in fact the very worst. George was killed in a great charge we had on the morning of July 3rd. He was shot through the heart just as he reached the German lines, so was killed instantly. I would have written to you earlier but could not as we have been in the thick of the fighting for a fortnight; so we were not allowed to write letters. We only came out yesterday morning, so this is the first chance I have had. Perhaps you will know that the rest of the Holme lads are reported as missing, viz.:- James Jackson, Wilfred Riley, and J. Willan. You see we took the German trench allright, but for a certain reason which I cannot tell you we were forced to retire leaving behind a large number of wounded and killed, and it is feared they are amongst them. I may also mention that we have done good work since in taking three lines, though we paid dearly for them, losing several hundreds of men. I have also had the misfortune to lose my younger brother, who was in the Lonsdales. I see in the “Gazette” there are a few of our casualties mentioned, though only a very few. Pte. Washer was in the employment of Ed. Shepherd and Sons, Ltd., before the war as a matting weaver.
KILLED IN ACTION
WASHER, Pte. George, the Pals, killed in action on July 5th. Pte. Washer was 25 years of age and deep sympathy is expressed with his parents and sisters and brother in their severe loss. He was well known in football circles as a Rugby forward of splendid physique, who played for his village club and the county. He was a general favourite with everybody. Enlisting in September, 1914, he went out to France with his regiment in September, 1915. He was wounded in October whilst out on a night bombing expedition. Although returning to France in February he only rejoined his regiment about a month before he was killed. The following letter relating to Pte. Washer’s death was received from his chum, Pte. Harry Warwick, on Tuesday:- Again I am called upon to write you at your son’s request, but this time I have worse news to tell you; in fact the very worst. George was killed in a great charge we had on the morning of July 3rd. He was shot through the heart just as he reached the German lines, so was killed instantly. I would have written to you earlier but could not as we have been in the thick of the fighting for a fortnight; so we were not allowed to write letters. We only came out yesterday morning, so this is the first chance I have had. Perhaps you will know that the rest of the Holme lads are reported as missing, viz.:- James Jackson, Wilfred Riley, and J. Willan. You see we took the German trench allright, but for a certain reason which I cannot tell you we were forced to retire leaving behind a large number of wounded and killed, and it is feared they are amongst them. I may also mention that we have done good work since in taking three lines, though we paid dearly for them, losing several hundreds of men. I have also had the misfortune to lose my younger brother, who was in the Lonsdales. I see in the “Gazette” there are a few of our casualties mentioned, though only a very few. Pte. Washer was in the employment of Ed. Shepherd and Sons, Ltd., before the war as a matting weaver.
