Sheldrick-R-A-Pte-666

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Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918

Sheldrick R A Pte 666 Robert Alfred 38 Inf Bn 18 Grocer Single C of E

Address: Ascot Vale, The Parade, 166

Next of Kin: Sheldrick, C, Mrs, mother, 166 The Parade, Ascot Vale

Enlisted: 1 Mar 1916

Embarked: A54 Runic 20 Jun 1916

Date of death: 13/10/1917 Corporal

Son of Charlotte Sheldrick, of 45, Francis St., Ascot Vale, Victoria, and the late John Wood Sheldrick.

YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL

16 Bay View Terrace,

Ascot Vale 23/2/1918

Captain Latchford

Dear Sir,

As I have just received my son’s pocket wallet by the last mail, I have taken the liberty to write and ask you, can you tell me anything about it, as I do not know who has sent it to me, or how they had possession of it, whether Bert gave it to them to send to me or not.

I am going into the Defence to see if they can tell me tomorrow, if you can tell me anything about his private business I will be very thankful to you as I know he thought such a lot of you and I thought he might confide any of his business to you, knowing you were his friend. I also heard from a neighbour that her son wrote and told her that poor Bert was killed in action but the defence knows nothing about it, it is a terrible trying time but still hoping to hear some tidings of my dear boy.

May God you a safe and speedy return.

Yours truly,

C. Sheldrick

Letter courtesy of Mark Latchford.

Mark says "I was also fascinated with Ern's WW1 batman, by the name of Sheldrick, whom he loved like a brother/son and he tried to protect him from the front line but the lad insisted, only to be killed in Passchendaele days later".

ON ACTIVE SERVICE.

SHELDRICK. Killed in action on 13th October, 1917 (previously reported missing). Corporal R. A. Sheldrick (Bert), dearly beloved son of Charlotte and late J. Sheldrick of 45 Francis st., Ascot Vale, and much-loved brother of Elsie, Linda, Edie, Archie, Lottie, Doris, Arthur and Eunice, aged 20 years and 9 months.

The smile that shone on the face we loved

Has left us for ever more;

But we know he is waiting with sweeter smile

To greet us on the golden shore.

Missing, ah missing always,

One that home so ill could spare:

But when the roll is called up yonder

Our dear Bert will not be missing there.

Loved by all.

-Inserted by his sorrowing mother, sisters and brothers.

Family Notices. (1918, May 16). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2 Edition: Morning. Retrieved June 12, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74605920

Mentioned in Correspondence

Mentioned in a postcard written by Lt E W Latchford, 1916