Letters From the Front

Dated: July 4, 1917

The Late Pte. Songhurst

Mr. and Mrs. Songhurst have just received from relatives and friends in England, communication in answer to questions re: the death of their dear son, Syd, at Vimy Ridge.

We think it speaks well for the wholeheartedness of our country's interest in the cause of our noble volunteers. Syd was not quite 20 years of age when he fell, and had seen no other life save the farm one at Hill End where he was born, till he enlisted in 1915. Extracts of the letters written by the Captain of his regiment would no doubt interest his friends:

Pte. Songhurst was instantly killed by a big shell during the capture of Vimy Ridge on April 9th, when we lost so many of our gallant officers and men, and none better than Pte. Songhurst. He was one of our very best soldiers, and we can ill afford to lose men of his great ability and sterling worth. He was a brave soldier, and all his officers speak most highly of his ability, and his place is very hard to fill in our battalion. He was buried in the Military Cemetery, near where he fell with the bodies of so many of his comrades, and we are having suitable crosses erected to mark the graves of our dear boys. We all very much regret the loss of our brave soldier, and tender the sincere sympathy of our Colonel and all our officers to his friends.

(Signed) J. A. Kirkpatrick, Captain, 102nd Batt., France