Pte. Eric Blatherwick
Army Service No. 4978525
Portfolio
Service:
Private Eric Blatherwick enlisted into the 2nd Battalion The Royal Berkshire
Regiment, later to serve in India and Burma. Pte. Blatherwick entered
the theatre of war as part of the 14th Army's famous 19th Indian (Dagger)
Division in 1944.
Prior to 31 December 1944 Pte. Eric Blatherwick came under heavy fire,
as recorded by L/Cpl. William
Lowe and succumbed to wounds received as recorded in a letter that
all families dread as sent to Eric's wife, Mrs. Esther Blatherwick.
4978525 Pte. BLATHERWICK,
E.
Royal Berkshire Regiment.
It is with regret I have to inform you that a delayed report has been
received to the effect that your husband was Wounded in Action on a date
not yet known and placed on Dangerously Ill list on the 31st December,
1944 suffering from penetrating wounds of the head, and subsequently died
the result of his Wounds on 1st January, 1945. An official Death notification
is enclosed for your retention.
NOTIFICATION OF DEATH.
CERTIFIED that according to a telegraphic commutation received in this
Department that No. 4978525 Private Eric Blatherwick The Royal Berkshire
Regiment died of wounds in Burma on the First day of January 1945 while
serving in the Indian Theatre of War.
Dated this 1 day of February 1945
THE WAR OFFICE (A.G.13)
32 Grosvenor Gardens,
London, S.W.1.
Tel: VICtoria 1244.
Any further communication on this subject should be addressed to:-
The Director,
Graves Registration and Enquiries, as Opposite, and the following number
quoted:-
INDIA 823-7E/AG.13
-------------------
19th October, 1945.
Dear Madam,
Referring to the previous notification sent to you, a later report has
been received which states that your husband, 4978525, Private E. Blatherwick,
2nd Bn, Royal Berkshire Regt, is now buried in Imphal Military Cemetery
No. 2, India, Plot 6, Row K, Grave No. 19, having been removed from the
temporary cemetery where he was previously buried, in which it is found
that it would be very difficult to arrange for the proper care of the
grave.
Mrs. E.A. Blatherwick.
Effects Form 214
THE WAR OFFICE, EFFECTS BRANCH,
Blue Coat School,
Church Road,
LIVERPOOL, 15
17 MAY 1945
Sir/Madam,
I am directed to enclose a draft in your favour for £58 : 6 : 5d.,
being the amount due from Army Funds to the estate of the late N. 4978525
Pte E. Blatherwick Royal Berkshire Regiment made up as follows:-
Balance of pay and allowances: £26 7s 11d.
Post War Credit: £27 8s 6d.
cash belonging to him: £4 10s 0d.
The Post War Credit, which it has been decided to release specially for
payment in the case of deceased soldiers, is assessed at 6d. a day for
the period 1st January 1942, (or date of enlistment, if later) to date
of death.
Payment is made to you as the sole legatee of the Will of the late soldieer.,
copy of which is enclosed herein
Iam,
.....Sir/Madam,
..........Your obedient Servant,
..................T G Sinclair
Inboung Military Cemetery Wooden
Cross:
Which Reads:-
4978525 PTE. E. BLATHERWICK
R/BERKS
1.1.45.
Plaque - Imphal
Military Cemetery N.2:
Which Reads:
4978525 PRIVATE
E. BLATHERWICK
THE ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGT.
1ST JANUARY 1945 AGE 26
LOVES LAST GIFT,
REMEMBRANCE
Pte. Eric Blatherwick
Pte. Eric Blatherwick Jan 1940
Pte. Eric Blatherwick Jan 1941
Pte. Eric Blatherwick KIA
Pte. Eric Blatherwick
TEMPORARY
Inboung Military Cemetery
Burma Row D, Grave No.8
Pte. Eric Blatherwick
Imphal Military Cemetery N.2, India
Plot 6, Row K, Grave No.19.