Letters From the Front

Dated:

87^th Battalion Canadian Grenadier guards
France, January 18, 1917

Dear Mrs. Henry:

Your letter of Dec. 24 reached me this morning. I sympathize with you most sincerely in the great sorrow that has come upon you through the death of your son. I remember Pte. Henry well; he was a good boy and fine soldier and he won the respect of his officers and comrades who miss him very much indeed. Pte. Henry was killed in the attack on the Regina trench which took place on October 21 and 22 last. He was shot through the head by a bullet which is thought to have been one of the explosive kind. Whether the bullet was of the explosive variety or not, death must have been instantaneous; your son cannot have been conscious that he was hit at all. He was buried at the back of the Regina trench and his grave is marked. It was quite impossible to hold any service at the time of his burial but later on a religious service will be held over the graves and the graves will be carefully looked after. A little parcel containing your son's personal belongings has already been sent to you through the orderly room and probably it will reach you before this letter, although there is frequently delay in the delivery of these parcels. There is no mention of a wristwatch or ring in the orderly room list of effects; possibly these articles were not removed from Pte. Henry's body. I hope that the other articles will reach you all right. It is very hard for you to lose a son but his was a glorious death and I ensure that got must have something very good in store for him and for the many others who like him made the supreme sacrifice in the cause of righteousness.

Thank you very much for your good wishes for the Guards: we think of the mothers and wives of our men belonging to the regiment and I am inclined to think that the heaviest part of our burden on suffering is borne by them. Praying that God may send comfort to you in this day of trouble.

Believe me, dear Mrs. Henry,

Yours most sincerely
J. W. Leyman, C. F., Capt.