- Correspondence to Florence Card (nee Coker) regarding the death of her son Harold in France:
France, 3/12/18
Dear Madam. Your letter of 24th Sep. just to hand in which you ask for information re the late Pvte.
Harold Card. As I was doing duty with another company of that particular day, I was not actually with him when he was killed, but if you write to the O/C "A" Coy 43rd Btl (Captain J.J.Moran) he will give you more information that I can as to the place and nature of his death.
Speaking of Harold as a man and a soldier, I can say this (and for a long time he was continually with me, being my runner); as a man he was straight and good living and liked by all, and as a soldier he was always ready and fearless in his duty.
When the occasion arose, and it was necessary to get information sent back to headquarters, no matter what the risk, I always knew that so longs as he could moved the information would arrive where it was required. and no soldier can show greater devotion to his duty that to place it before his own life, and this Harold was always prepared to do.
His death was a loss the whole company, and I am sorry that I cannot give you the exact locality of his grave, but I am sure Capt. Morgan will give you all the information in that respect. His death was instantaneous.
In conclusion, please allow me to express for myself and his comrades in the company, our deepest sympathy for you all to whom he was so dear. Yours sincerely, A.H.Dalziel, Lt.
3rd London General Hospital, 12 Sep 1918.
Mrs E.F. Card, Perth, W.A.
Dear Madam,
Returning health permits me to perform a duty which I feel is long overdue. Doubtless you have been already notified of your son's death in action on August 22nd.
On that day, the 43rd Battalion was advancing to attack near the town of Bray, north of the Somme. We were being heavily shelled, for we were under the observation of the enemy.
At about 7 o'clock in the morning a large shell burst among the section to which Pte Card was attached and he fell with a hopeless wound to the groin, dying almost
at once. Three others of the section were killed and three wounded. Unfortunately, I was myself wounded at this time and so cannot say exactly where your son was buried; but the cemetery will probably be very near the spot where he and so many of his comrades fell that day.
That is near a cross roads just half a mile north of Etinehem, now far behind our lines and out of range of all German shells. Pte Card was a good and brave soldier, esteemed by both officers and men throughout the Battalion, and one and all. We wish as we may to express our great sympathy with you in your sad loss. And yet we believe he
fell, as all brave men wish, advancing in the face of the enemy.
Frank W. Thomas, Lieut., 3 Platoon, "A" Coy, 43rd Btn. A.I.F
The following are accounts that Red Cross officials recorded from those who saw Harold Card fall in the battlefield:
I know Private 'Curly' Card, A.2.?. he came from Western Australia in the4th to the 43rd. Reinforcements. He was about 26, tall, slim, fair, moustache; had been wounded before at Warneton last year. I saw his body lying in 'No Man's Land' while we were advancing near Bray about August 22nd. 1918. He was killed by shell along with Sergeant Murphy of A.Company. We advanced and held the ground. I do no know where they were buried but I think it would be int he Bray Cemetery.
Informant: Private B.L.Ware, 2511
He was In "A" Company and I saw him killed, but I do not remember name of place of casualty. He was taken away to Dressing station, but died on the day; he was conscious when taken away. Casualty happened early in the morning at which time we were moving forward and was hit by pieces shell all over the body. I was quite close to him at the time. I knew him well and he came from Western Australia. I cannot give any details of burial. Refer to C.S.M. McLaughlin, "A" Coy, 43rf Battn, who is now in France, for he saw him killed and can give full details of burial. I am sure he took his belongings, and he knew him well, coming from the same place in Western Australia. Informant: Pte. A.Gower, 2817
He was in A Coy., 6th Platoon. I knew him well. He was tall, 6ft 1. fair and about 28 years old. near Bray on Aug 22/18. a shell killed Card and five others. They were all killed instantly. I can only remember three of the others. Cp. S.Murphy, Pte. J.Hogkin and Cpl. R.R.Scott, all 43rd Battn. A.Coy. They were all buried together on the field of battle at the place of casualty. No crosses. We were in action at the time and advancing. Have held those parts since. Refer to Pte. J.Pahl S/B 43rd Battn. A.Coy. Informant: J.J.Edwards, 1144.
No. 2299 Pte. Card, was in my Company. He was killed on the 22nd August 1918, while advancing towards Bray. I may mention he did not suffer at all, a 5.9 shell landing right amongst us, killing and wounding several others. I can only say he was buried, myself and his Cobber buried him later on in the evening on the Field. We have the Map location of the spot; all we could do at the time was to mark his grave by a shield and steel helmet. No doubt by this time there is a cross erected. I believe they have been erecting crosses since we left that part of the country. I wrote to his people both in England and in Australia. If I can clear anything further or in any other case you are in the dark of that I may know please let me know, it will please me much. Letter from: No 2425 C/S/M. McLaughlan. S.J. A.Coy, 43rd Battn.
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| Notes |
- After Harold's death in WW1 his mother had a card printed which included an image in his army uniform with the following words:
In loving memory of my dear son Harold G.B.Card 43rd Battalion killed in action "somewhere in France." August 22nd, 1918. aged 26 years 5 months.
They have laid our son down to rest
In the flag with the Southern Cross,
And we mourn for him as one of the best,
For his death was Australia's loss.
He has sailed on his last commission
To that beautiful place called rest,
And his head is gently pillowed
On the Great Commander's breast.
Deeply mourned -
Inserted by his loving mother.
Newspaper image of fallen soldiers includes Harold Card:
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page3509832
- He was known as Curly to his army mates. There is a digitised version of records that the Red Cross kept on Harold Card: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1414167
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1677031
Name: CARD, HAROLD GEORGE BLANCHARD Initials: H G B Nationality: Australian Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F. Unit Text: 43rd Bn. Age: 26 Date of Death: 22/08/1918 Service No: 2299
Additional information: Son of Albert and Emily Florence Card, of 115, Chelmsford Rd., North Perth, Western Australia. Born at Sydney.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Memorial: VILLERS-BRETONNEUX MEMORIAL
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1892 - 1918 (26 years)
