Pte. Herbert Meek always his duty and never shirked

Through the courtesy of Mr. W.E. Smith, C.P.R. telegraph operator, we have in hand a copy of the Orangeville (Ont.) Banner, containing a copy of the letter to Mrs. Meek, 51 Pauline Ave., Toronto, by Lieut. Livingston, containing particulars of the death of her son, Pte, Herbert Meek, referred to in these columns last week. The letter follows: Belgium, July 16, 1915. Mrs. Catherine Meek, Toronto, Ont. Dear Madam, It is my painful duty to write you and tell you of your son, Herbert's death by a rifle bullet on the evening of Thursday, July 15, 1915.Your son was sitting, opening a parcel just received, I believe, from you when he received a mortal wound and died very peacefully, and, we believe, painlessly, within two of three minutes. The bullet entered his body just below the armpit on the left side and punctured both lungs and we think must have grazed his heart also, leaving his body in relatively the same place as that of the entry, on the right side. I ran up and asked him where he was hit, and he said, "in the stomach, sir" - I being his platoon officer. Immediately after speaking, he moved once or twice and passed away. He was buried by his comrades within 50 yards of where he fell, under a big tree. I wish to tender my sincerest sympathy in this your great bereavement, but you may always know Herbert was well liked by officers and men and always did his duty bravely and without thought of shrinking. I beg to remain, very sincerely yours, J.A.M. Livingston, Lieut.