A.M. William Lord Australian Flying Corps

G'day All,

Today July 13th marks the 93rd anniversary of the death of my Great Uncle William Lord. He is buried in a mass grave outside of Baghdad and no family member has ever had the chance to visit his grave, or ever will I fear.

In his memory I would like to share with you his last letter home. Will often mentioned in his letters that he had not received any mail from home, but he would then received a bundle. I can only imagine how difficult it was getting mail delivered in Mesopotamia.

Persian Gulf
24-11-15

My Darling Parents,
No doubt you will wonder where I have got to, well I left the base post haste and came up to __________ which is not far from where we intend to go.

I hope you enjoyed your holidays and that you both are in the best of health as it leaves me at present. I have had a bad cold but it is all right now. Hector said that he would tell you how things were until I had time to write. I have a good job here there is only a Sergt. and myself here and we send stores up to the Flight when they need them. I have not had a letter or any papers from you for 3 weeks but that is through me having to come away. It took us days in a steamboat they are paddle boats it was a pretty pleasant trip up here. I saw the place they call the Garden of Eden also Ezra’s Tomb it is a big place with a big dome on it covered with coloured tiles it looks very pretty. They have got people guarding it. Well Mother I don’t think there is any more news this mail only that I wish I was home and that this war was over for I do miss you both very much Well goodbye and take care of your selves.

I am
Your Loving Son
Will Lord
xxxxxxxx

A boy from Fitzroy standing in the Garden of Eden, perhaps he is there now?

Andrew.

[crankcase]

...not the last Allied serviceman to die in the Gulf, i fear.
can you tell us more about his activities and the circumstances of his death?
marc

Originally Posted by crankcase

...not the last Allied serviceman to die in the Gulf, i fear.
can you tell us more about his activities and the circumstances of his death?
marc

G'day Marc,

William along with his twin brother Hector were members of the Australian Half flight which was attached to the Indian Expeditionary Force under Townsend.

William along with eight other AFC members were captured when Kut fell. Of the nine men only two survived captivity.

William died on the Turkish Death Railway at the Tarsus Mountains.

Regards,

Andrew.

[stevedrew]

Rest In Peace, William.

They shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old.
Age does not weary, not the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning...

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

LEST WE FORGET