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Date: October 20th 1917
To
Mrs. Robert Smith
From
G.E.McCuaig
Letter

JOHN ANDERSON IS REPORTED KILLED

Mrs. Robert Smith of 314 Hailburton street, whose son, Private John Anderson was reported officially as missing in August last, is now in receipt of a letter from his commanding officer which removes all hope that he still might be living, a prisoner in the hands of the enemy.

Dear Mrs. Smith,

I am very sorry to have to tell you that your son was killed in action with the battalion on Aug. 15th.

I would have written you before but it was not till today that I discovered your address by taking the liberty of opening one of your letters to your son.

He had been with me for two and a half years, and it is needless to say that I had become very much attached to him.

His death occurred during an attack made by the battalion, I had gone over with the attack and about two hours afterwards when Jock was coming over with four other men, a shell landed in their midst, killing three and seriously wounding the other two. He was bringing over some things of mine, among which was a pair of field glasses, which I afterwards recovered in a badly smashed condition.

He must have been killed instantly, and I am thankful to say could not, therefore, have suffered any pain.

I sympathise with you deeply in your loss, as I know he must have been a faithful son from my intimate knowledge of him, and I miss him very much.

Please accept my deep sympathy,

Yours sincerely,

G. E. McCuaig,

Lieut- Colonel.