William George Domleo

William George Domleo enlisted in Nottingham and landed in France on 25th February 1915 . The Regimental History states that Domleo was killed by heavy shelling: ‘we were cruelly handled by the heavy howitzer fire” at the railway close to Neuve Eglise. He is also described as ‘a splendid warrant officer whose loss was severely felt in ‘D’ Company’. He was buried in Wulvergham Lindenhoek Road, Military Cemetery, Gave Reference V A 22

William George Domleo wrote of his first experiences of trench warfare in a letter published on 19th April 1915 in the Nottingham Evening Post : “OUR SPLENDID TROOPS. “WHAT THEY THINK OF WAGE SQUABBLES. “Mr. Tom Domleo, of Stapleford, has received a letter from his son, Lance-Sergt. W. G. Domleo, Sherwood Foresters, of which the following are the most interesting passages: "We into the trenches in the dark, about 120 yards from the Germans, and shoot at each other night and day. What an experience! Our trenches are fairly good and practically fireproof. If careful, and we take no risk, a man is unfortunate to get injured, except of course from shell tire. A portion of our trench was blown away shrapnel one afternoon, and we built it up with sandbags under heavy fire, but no one was hit, except one man's arm badly injured by a shell. The most exciting part is entering and leaving the trenches, but risk out here has to be taken. "We were wet through to the skin before taking up our position and never got dry all the week and absolutely covered in mud. I have always felt very sympathetic for the brave men who have been fighting through the winter, but take it from me, with my little experience, they were absolute heroes. It seems more than frail human beings can possibly stand, but soldiers do it quite cheerfully. The Tommies are just marvels of optimism and nonchalance in their natural and splendid way of meeting and surmounting all difficulties. You would not believe it unless you had personal experience. They just make the best of everything. It is impossible to thoroughly realise the perils and trials of it, and all we go through; no change of wet clothes, for days and nights on duty without restful sleep, and absolutely covered with mud. But never mind, our cause is a just one, and we shall come out on top in the end. “What we out here absolutely failed understand the industrial strikes in the preparation of munitions of war. Every man who objects to doing his little bit for his own country, irrespective of what it may cost him or what his wages may be, is a traitor. Take it from me, this fight onward to drive the Germans back is a continual uphill fight. The enemy have chosen positions most suitable to themselves and everything possible to retard our advance, and then to think our brothers at home for a mere pittance of ½d. to 3d. an hour going on strike, when we absolutely want more and more of everything and must have it to make headway. We seem get our stores in daily supplies, and should anything happen to prevent them coming in, it means a 24 hours’ fast for the boys who are fighting to protect Old England and her comfortable homes." In memoriam published 12th April 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “DOMLEO. – C.S.M. Domleo, Croix de Guerre, of Stapleford, killed April 13th, 1918. Gentle and full of understanding, his patience was great, his courage profound; devoted to sport, and in love with life, and he lifted us all to his holy ground. – Mag and Con. “DOMLEO. – In affectionate remembrance of William George Domleo, Company-Sergeant-Major, 1/7th Robin Hoods, killed in action near Kemmel Hill April 13th, 1918. Cherished memories.” above article and in memoriam are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.