Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Husband of F J MAYO, Uabba, Lake Cudgellico, NSW

The death is announced, of Private Charles Mayo, Queanbeyan, who was killed in action on May 15. Deceased leaves a widow and two children. It was exactly one month previously when deceased's brother, Private Earnie Mayo, laid down his life for his country. Private C. Mayo's widow is a daughter of Mrs Campbell, of Queanbeyan.

THE LATE PTE. J. C. MAYO.
From Belgium, under date 21st October, 1917, Geo. C. Pinkstone writes to Mrs. Roberts as follows: "Am very pleased to be able to, give you any information in my power in  regard to the death of your son-in-law, J. C. Mayo, or Charlie Mayo, as all the boys used to call him. It was at Bullecourt, on the morning of the 15th May, when the Germans  attacked this Battalion with a very strong force. The fighting was very severe, and, although our casualties were very heavy we succeeded in beating off the attack. Just about the time the attack commenced a party of men arrived at the front line, with rations, among them being a chap named Bob Grant, who came over in the same reinforcements as  Charlie and myself. Bob got slightly wounded and Charlie ran to him and commenced to put a bandage on the wound. He had nearly finished fixing up the wound when, without  any warning, over came a "pineapple bomb" and landed right beside the two of them. There was no time to move, as it exploded instantly, and, when the smoke had cleared  away we discovered that both poor Charlie and 'Bob' had been killed. It must have been instantaneously, as a piece of the bomb went into Charlie's head; and he could not have  suffered any pain at all - it was all too sudden. It is much better to meet your end suddenly than to linger with wounds. We all saw to it that the boys got a Christian burial. Both  were buried side by side in the Noveine military cemetery, the burial service being read by Rev. John Bowran, who unfortunately, has since been killed himself. A cross was placed  over the grave, inscribed with No., name, battn., and date of death. Everything possible was done, you can rest assured of that; and the loss of Charlie was felt very badly by all his many mates in the Battalion. Please extend my deepest sympathy to Mrs. Mayo and tell her from me that Charlie died doing his duty, and more than that, while doing all he could to help a wounded mate. There is nothing finer than that. But I fancy you are making a mistake as regards Perce Norris. He was wounded the same day, and, after the  attack was over no trace could be found of him. But it has since been ascertained that Perce is wounded, and a prisoner in the hands of the Germans. I don't think there is a  shadow of doubt about it. He is alright, not badly wounded. I am 'only sorry I could not give you the same reaasuring news as to poor Charlie. I told you in the early part of this  letter that I came in the same reinforcements as Charlie. We were great friends, and coming over from Egypt to France our bunks on the ship were side by side. I was cut up  when he got killed, but it was a marvellous thing how any of us escaped alive that morning. One of these days I suppose this terrible war will end, and when it does I hope to be  one of the lucky ones to get back to dear old Australia, when I hope to take advantage of your invitation to call on you. In regard to parcels, thanks very much for your kind offer,  but I am not in need of anything. I have private means, and am kept well stocked with comforts. Hope you don't mind me saying this, but I don't wish to put you to any trouble or expense.