Lindsay Wright was one of two men killed when a High Explosive shell hit the officers mess at 3:00 PM on August 28, 1918. This letter was written the following day by his C.O.
Dated: August 29, 1918
29-8-18
Henry Wright, Esq.,
584 Avenue Road,
Toronto, Ont.
Dear Mr. Wright,
It is indeed with a heavy heart that I write to offer my sincerest sympathies in the great bereavement which you have suffered in the death of
Lindsay . I have no doubt that before this letter reaches you, you will have received the official news. Lin's death was practically instantaneous. He lived for a few moments only, and was unconscious. He was sitting with three other officers in the mess about five o'clock yesterday afternoon, when a high velocity shell made a direct hit on the room in which they were sitting. Lin was carried to a dressing station without a moment's delay, and the medical officers there did everything in their power for him.
Lin was without doubt the most popular chap I have ever known. He did not have an enemy in the world. He was idolised by the men, and he was the life and soul of the officer's mess. His loss has caused a deeper furrow in our lives than it is possible for me to express in writing. As well as His fine personal qualities, he was an excellent soldier.
Only on the eighth of this month, during the battle of Amiens, he went forward with the infantry and turned captured German field and heavy guns around and fired them at the retreating enemy. He showed a fine amount of dash and at one period was firing a German field gun from the position level with our furthest advanced infantry.
I enclose a letter which he had finished only a moment before the accident. For your information the address of the house in which the accident took place is # 11 Petit rue de Turenne, Arras. A funeral is being held this afternoon, and in due course, you will be notified the location of the grave.
On behalf of all the ranks of this unit, please accept yourself, and extend to the members of your family our deepest sympathy and take consolation you can from the knowledge that he died a true soldiers death.
Sincerely yours,
R.H.Dean, Capt. C.F.A. ,
D.T.M.O 1st Can. Division.
P.S. The kit and effect are being forwarded by registered mail through the usual official channels. It may take two months before they reach you.
R.H.D.
