Letters From the Front

Dated: December 13, 1916

The Late Lieut. Carrick

Mrs. Atter, of Pine Lake, sister of the late Lt. Carrick, has received from Capt. Taylor, 49th Battalion, particulars of the death of the gallant soldier as follows:-

Your letter of Sept. 26th has not been answered as I have been in hospital and only recently returned to my Company in the line. Carrick lasted so long because he was in the cavalry and being the kind he was joined the infantry which is a different proposition. On the night of September 15th-16th, my company was ordered to attack. Carrick was commanding No. 6 platoon in my company. This platoon was in the 1st line of attack and off they went, Carrick leading them. they took the Hun trench and were digging in beyond when Carrick was shot through the head by a German sniper about 8 a.m. September 15th; he fell and never moved again. The Co. Sergt.-Major was also killed beside him and later two of his men pulled his body into a shell hole, saw he was gone, took his effects off his body and later buried him and the C.S.M. in the same grave.

His platoon held the line after and in a few hours our troops again advanced. That night our regiment took two lines of Hun trenches, 2 trench mortars, 3 machine guns and 5 9 inch guns, also 210 prisoners and it is due to such gallant fellows as Carrick that these things are possible. We still miss his cheery face in the mess and often speak of him as we were all very fond of him. He did his work and did it well from first to last. Sincerely yours, B. H. Taylor, Captain 49th Battalion, C.E.F.