52395: Letter from Sgt W. G. Bastin, Dublin Fusiliers
This is a letter from Sergeant William Bastin to his sister Mabel - written from a French farmhouse in May 1918. He was in the 9th Royal Dublin Fusiliers and was commended for gallant conduct and devotion to duty for action between 1st - 16th August 1917. He is also mentioned in a later dispatch from Field Marshall Haig on 16th March 1919 as then being in the 7th Batallion of the Royal Irish Regiment.
Editor's Comment:
Letter followed by photograph of Colour Sergeant Bastin wearing the Cap badge of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
Colour Sergeant 15344 William G. Bastin, 9th Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers, later Colour Sergeant (service no. 26622) of the 7th Bn. Royal Irish Regiment. His first commendation for bravery was awarded while the 9th Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers, as part of the 16th (Irish) Division, were preparing for the Battle of Langemarck (commenced 16th August 1917). This letter was apparently written while the battalion was resting: the 16th Division had suffered so many casualties from the Spring Offensives that it had to be returned to England on 18th June 1918 for a thorough rest and refit.