8th Norfolk Regt
B.E.F
July 10th 1916
Dear Mrs. Ayre
I am just writing you a line to tell you how sorry we
all are about your son. He had already lead the front waves over three
lines of German trenches and was hit when nearing the fourth line. It will
be a comfort to you to know that he suffered no pain ( I heard that from
the doctor of the Berkshire Regt- who was able to get to him almost at
once) also that the attack he was leading, was entirely successful, nor is
there any doubt that he was mainly responsible for the success of our
brigade. He was very greatly loved by his men, I cannot give a better
testimony of that then the way in which all officers and men flocked to
his funeral- about which they were only given five minutes notice. He was
buried in Carnoy Cemetery on the 3rd. Please accept our deepest
sympathy from yours sincerely,
Jack Patten
Source: COLL-158
4.01.006, Centre for Newfoundland Studies, Memorial University of
Newfoundland, St. John's, NL |