THE LATE SERGT. ALEX GRAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1833, 30 May 1918, Page 3

THE LATE SERGT. ALEX GRAY.

Mr W. Gray has received the following letter from Corpl. George Knight, a personal friend of the deceased’s:—

“This letter, which is as sorrowful for me to write as it will be for you to read, is the bearer of the sad news of the death of Sergt. Gray (killed in action on April Ist), known and respected by all as ‘Old Bill! Bill was a soldier whom everyone knew in the battalion, and am sure his death on the field of battle will be felt by us all. It might somewhat relieve you to know that he suffered no pain, as death was instantaneous. If this letter seems unsympathetic, pray forgive me, as it is so hard to put one’s real feelings into a letter. Too much praise cannot be sung *hout ‘Bill’; as a sollier he was first class, as a man he was one of the whitest, a braver man never lived. In conclusion, please accept my sincere sympathy in the loss of such a good friend.” Mr Gray has also received a very nice letter from Chaplain Charles Walls, of the Salvation Army, informing him that he had buried his boy in a military cemetery near the sugar factory, Scrre Road, a shortdistance from Collincamps, France, and that his mates did all possible for him, and intended placing a small wooden cross at the head of

his grave. These communications will, no doubt, be a source of consolation to Mr Gray.