Consoling Letters From the Chaplain

The following letter has been received by Mr. W. Sharp, whose son was killed in France :

Dear Mr. Sharp,-- You will, no doubt, by this time have received official news of the death of your brave son, Pte. W . J. Sharp. You will, l am sure, get the particulars of his death from his officer, so I will not go into details except to say that your boy was killed by a shell, and so far as I can gather death was instantaneous, so that there was little if any conscious pain. This, I know, will be a great comfort to you. We laid his body to rest on March 17 (St. Patrick's Day). It was Sunday, about 11 a.m. A couple of officers and several others, including Rev. R. C. Kerr, were buried at the same time. I read our impressive burial service, so full of comfort and hope. At the close of the service a salute was fired and the bugle sounded the Last Post. Our General was present, as well as a number of officers and detachments of men. Your son was buried in the little military cemetery of Thelus, on the summit of Vimy Ridge. The grave is marked and will be well cared for.

Your loss is indeed a heavy one. We regret the death of your brave son. He was well liked and will be missed. But you have the satisfaction of knowing that he gave his life in a great cause. What a real comfort to be able to bring our sorrow to the Saviour who knows and understands all. May you find in Him Your confidence and your strength. I thought you would like to have these few lines written hurriedly from the trenches lo assure you of my sincere sympathy.

Faithfully yours

-W. H. DAVIS, Chap C. M. R.