“To be wounded in the
head by a bullet from the same shrapnel that killed Pte. James Duffy, the
famous marathon runner, undergo an operation, have gold-plated rivets used in
his skull, and to secure the bullet that caused all the trouble, has been the
experience of Pte. C. Heath, one of the 91st Highlanders, wounded in
the battle of Langemarrek.”
Hamilton Spectator.
May 27, 1915.
When the news of the
death of Jimmy Duffy was announced, his friends in the Hamilton sporting
circles, as well as fans of marathon racing, were understandably upset. Duffy’s
good friend and fellow soldier received little publicity as to what happened to
him in the same incident that killed the popular runner.
On May 27, 1915, the
Hamilton Spectator was able to publish the contents of a letter that Heath had
written to his friends in Hamilton, telling them of the manner in which he was wounded
and of the complex treatment he had received for his injuries:
“His wound was of
such a peculiar nature that several English newspapers published X-ray photos of
it, although prevented by the military authorities from using a photo showing
the bullet as it lodged in Pte. Heath’s head.”1
1 “Pte.
Heath Had Real Experience”
Hamilton
Spectator. May 27, 1915.
The letter written by
Private Heath follows :
“Dear Mr. and Mrs.
Pryor : Thanks very much for the letter, was very pleased to get one. You have,
no doubt, heard all about us, and the scrap we took part in, nevertheless, I
guess it is up to me to say a few things about it just the same.
“I do not know what
became of Almond. I have not seen him since the night of the 22nd,
the day the battle started. I am anxiously awaiting to see the casualty list.
They are a long time getting it out, rather a bad sign. I am afraid we got an
awful cutting up, and the list is sure to be big. Anyhow, wherever he may be,
if he is still alive, let us hope that he is in good hands and being well cared
for.
“You will see by my
address that I’ve got something to go on with. It was like this : The French
were retreating and the Germans advancing, and our orders were to stop both of
them . We did, anyhow, for the time. We
were lined up two deep in half battalion, about fifty paces between each
other.. This was about 10:30 p.m.
“Then we got the
order to advance. We’d not gone far (our object was a wood about two miles
ahead, filled with the enemy, and we have to sweep them out at the point of the
bayonet.), when they began to shell us hot and strong and they got our range
good. A percussion shrapnel burst on the right of our line, badly wounding
Jimmy Duffy. I see by the papers he died from it. Poor Jimmy, he was a good
fellow.
“Well, I got wounded
by the same shell, a bullet striking me on the right hand side of the head,
between the ear and eye, narrowly missing the temple. That put me out of it. I
had my orders to retire to the dressing station, about a mile back of the
village of St. Julien, so that is the last I saw of the boys, and when I awoke,
I was on my way to Boulogne.
“They kept me there
for a few days, and shipped me here. To say that I have been a lucky fellow is
quite true. They put me under an operation on Saturday morning last and
extracted the bullet. It was well-jammed into the skull, and, believe me, it
was rather a clever bit of work getting it out. It travelled two or three
inches after it struck first in an untoward position. The gash finishes at the
top of the ear. It won’t show a great lot when it is healed up.
“They’ve got
gold-plated rivets stuck in now. I guess wire was not strong enough. Looks kind
of funny in the side of one’s nut. They change them every day. Not a very
painful ordeal. How long I shall be here I am unable to say. After this, a
convalescent home, then a short furlough and then the depot. Guess I’ll be up
for it again. Never mind, spirits up and heads down.
“Perhaps by the time
you get this we shall both shall know the fate of our friends in the 91st,
for believe me, I made some good ones there. Jack Hamilton wished to be
remembered to you several times, but it seemed to slip me when writing. Saw Tim
Smart the other day before the mix-up. He was all right then.
“Am sending you a
Daily Mail with my photo in it. It’s not badly taken at all. You’re not to
laugh at it. It’s the best they or anyone could do. The Daily Sketch were going
to publish the X-ray photo of my head, but the colonel wouldn’t allow it. They
took two, one from the side and the other from the back.It was a good picture,
well-taken. Shall try to get one, and if it’s possible take one off that, will
send one on. I’ve got the bullet – some souvenir! Wouldn’t like to lose it now.
“I don’t know that
there is much more to say just now. Will let you know if Almond is in a
hospital or what became of him. May hear such.
“Please convey my
regards to all friends and inquirers and accept some yourselves. I hope this
will find you well. Now, on the road to it myself.
“I remain your old
and sincere friend.
“Private C. Heath.”1
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