HIS LAST LETTER HOME

Nelson Evening Mail, 21 September 1916, Page 7

HIS LAST LETTER HOME

The Times publishes a letter written by a voting olljcer to his parents on Juno 50, the day 'before our offensive opened:. In this he writes.: —- "1 am writing this letter to you just before going into action to-morrow morning about 'dawn. I am about to take part in the biggest battle that has yet noon fought in" France, and one which ought to help to end the war very quickly." I never felt more confident- or cheerful in my life before, and would not nibs the attack for anything on earth. The men are in splendid! form, and every officer and man is more happy and cheerful than I have ever seen them. I have just been playing a rag game of football, m which the umpire bad; a revolver and a whistle. :My idea in writing this letter is in case I am one of the 'costs.' and get killed. I do not expect to be, but such tilings have -happened, and are always possible. It is impossible to fear death out here when one is no longer a-u individual, but a member of a regiment and of an army. To be killed means nothing to me, 'and it is onlv yon who suffer for it ; von really pay the cost. I have'been looking at the stars and thinking what an immense distance they are awa,v. What an insignificant thing the loss of, say, 40 years of life is compared with them ! "it seems scarcely worth talkim: about. Weil, good-bye, you darlings. Try not to worry about it, and remember that we shall meet again reallv ouite soon. This letter is going to be posted if . . . Lots of live. From your loving son, "Qui procul hinc Ante diem periit Sed miles, sed pro Patria." The writer of the letter (says The Times) was killed on the following day, .July 1, and' his commanding officer, in a letter to his parents, says : "We recognised in him as soon as hejoined a born leader of men, and I at once put him in command' of a company. He was in command of it on Saturday, and was leading it to the assault when he was shot. He got back quickly to the dressing station, and was just able to speak to our doctor before he died. . e was shot through, the stomach, but did not appear to be in pain. He was a great favouritte with all of us and with the men, and had: he been spared', I am sure he would have bad a great career. I am personally most grieved at Ids loss. but he died as he would have liked to d 0.." "Last December the officer was awarded the T>.S,O.