OSWALD K. PETO DIED ON WAY TO THE FRONT

The eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Peto passed away on the transport which was conveying his regiment, the 88th, to England.

News of the sad event was conveyed to Mr. F. G. Peto last night in letters from Major Harrison and the Rev. G. H. Andrews, chaplain of the 88th Battalion, and Mrs. Peto, who is at present visiting her relatives in California, was immediately apprised by telegraph.

Mr. Andrews wrote as follows:

Dear Mr. Peto,- It is with a very sad heart that I write to you about the death of your dear son on the morning of Wednesday, 7th, but I know you will wish to hear from me and I saw a good deal of the dear lad during the few days he was in hospital on board. Taking into consideration the difference in time, it was exactly a fortnight since we left Victoria at 5 p.m. when he was called away from his earthly warfare, soldier even though it was not in battle he fell. He constantly sent for me, and I was with him much. He seemed to cling to ones being there, and talked a good deal though up to a few hours before the end it was not realized how serious matters were. In fact all Wednesday he said he was much better, the pains in his left side had gone and also that in his back. The latter I think was only form lying in bed. He was rather restless and had some morphine the night before that he might get some sleep. He complained a good deal of thirst but was very gentle and thoughtful constantly saying how sorry he was to give trouble, but that he liked to have someone with him. Of course it was no trouble. All his friends would have done anything for him.

I was not sa[?] with his appearance before [?] on Wednesday and after dinner he got rapidly worse. Dr. Hou[?] operated on him and later I [?] again. He was very low, but held my hand. I laid them on [?] and gave him the blessing. [?] that I asked him if I should send his love to you, and the last words I heard him say were, "Please [?]". He rested in a state room and quietly passed away, as it were [?] at 1 a.m. Yarrow, Pocklington, and I are remaining here to conduct a military funeral tomorrow, [?] send this now to catch the Friday mail.

He was a dear [?] lad, very much a home [?] is all very sad. I can imagine [?] it will be to you and I offer you the most sincere sympathy in your [?] loss. None but a father can [?] into your sorrow. He is [?] far away from all this earthly turmoil and conflict. We can be sure of that.

Yours in all sympathy,

G.H. ANDREWS

Chaplain 88th Battalion.