Letter of condolence

"He was wounded from the effects of a bursting shell & died, poor chap, in the Duchess of Westminster's Hospital at La Toquet [Le Touquet]."

"He was buried yesterday in a pretty little Cemetry [sic] - set aside by the French Government as a burial ground for British soldiers, with full Military Honours & he lies there with brother officers from almost every British & Overseas Regiments & over his grave is a little wooden cross, with his name & Regiment on a steel plate. I am enclosing a flower taken from the grave, from some flowers that were placed there by one of that noble & admirable band of workers - the Red Cross Sisters."

"What a tremendous change has come over the Empire since last we met, a change that will bring hardship & sorrow to many at home, but I believe out of the ruin & sorrow will rise a greater, a grander Empire & it must be of some poor consolation to you and yours that your Brother has given his all - has died for his Empire & so helped to build a better, nobler & more united Empire & world generally."