Lives of the First World War

9th April 1917

"On Easter Monday the big advance on Vimy Ridge started. At five o'clock we were all lined up in the trench waiting for the barrage to open up, and then we were to advance. At 5:30 we started. Gordon sargent of the platoon number 9 led. The barrage was like a thunderstorm and we were trotting along at a good pace. We had gone about 12-hundred yards and bang - I felt a sharp burn in my back and left arm. The next thing I remembered was Gordon pulling me in a shell hole and he told me to stay there. That was the last I saw of poor Gordon. After, I was helped to the dressing station by a corporal. It was just the other day in this hospital that I learned that Gordon was killed. He died a hero along with many others that day." The letter was written to Gordon's sister by Earl Sorel, whose life story is here: https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/lifestory/5718356

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