Shoal Harbour
May 18/17

The Hon. J. R. Bennett
Col. Secretary

Dear Sir

I am working on behalf of those interested to know whether it is possible to get the two following soldiers discharged:-

The most important & pressing case is the first no. 2380. Pte Kenneth Driscoll, at present lying wounded in the 3^rd London, General Hospital. He is the only support & help of his Foster Mother Mrs. M. J. Adey of Clarenville, who is at present very unwell & run down from hard work trying to make a living. It is true that Pte. Driscoll own father who lives in St. John’s is quoted  as next of kin, but he has nothing to do with the case & the allotment which goes to Mrs. Adey & Pte Driscoll has always called her mother & had never known another. She is very anxious for his return & discharge when he is clear of the Convalescent Hospital.

The second case is: No. 2770 Pte. Roy Balsom at present at Ayre Scotland, who enlisted when only 16 years old according to the Register of Births he was born March 19^th, 1900. He has a brother now in France No. 2395 Corp. Ralph Balsom. Since these boys enlisted their father has died & the Mother asks that the younger one be sent back to her as she has a family of small children I may say she has a young man 19 years of age on the train firing but she says, that of course is also perilous & she is afraid for the future with a possibility of being deprived of all her help in bringing up the smaller children.

If you could arrange for these two to come home those concerned would be very grateful.

I am faithfully

E. Pollett Ward.
M.M.

Source: GN 2.14.137 - The Rooms, Provincial Archives, St. John's, NL