PTE. THOMAS JACKSON KILLED IN ACTION
Mr. John Jackson today received the first intimation of his brother's death which occurred during the taking of Quesnel on August 9th.
Mr. John Jackson was considerably and most unpleasantly surprised this morning to receive the following two letters from France announcing the death in action on August 9, of his brother Private Thomas Jackson This is the first intimation that has been received here of Private Jackson's death, no official intimation whatever having been sent out from Ottawa regarding it.
Colonel Harlotte, who is in command of the 75th Battalion, in which Pte. Jackson was serving, writes as follows:
To Mr. John Jackson, Nanaimo B.C., Canada.
Dear Sir,- It is my painful duty to have to inform you of the death of your brother, No. 669224, Pte. Thomas Jackson, who was killed in action on the battlefield during the present operations at the front of Amiens, Aug. 9th.
He was instantly killed by machine gun fire, and it will be gratifying to know that your brother was buried by the Battalion Chaplain, and a cross has been erected over his grave.
It is impossible for me to find words to express the high esteem in which your brother was held by the officers and men alike throughout the battalion.
His loss will be felt very keenly both from a personal as well as a military standpoint, and I can assure you that you have the sympathy of the entire battalion in your loss.
You have at least the proud satisfaction of knowing that your brother died a gallant death while attacking the enemy, and no soldier could wish for a better end than this.
Please accept my deepest sympathy in your sad loss.
Yours sincerely,
C.C. Harlotte, Lt.-Col.
Commanding 75th Canadian Infantry Battalion.
Major Baynes Reed, of the same battalion also bears eloquent testimony to Private Jackson's worth in the following letter:
Mr. J. Jackson, Nanaimo, B.C.
Dear Sir,- It is with regret that I write to confirm the death of your brother, Pte. T. Jackson, No. 669224, 75th Batt., Can. He was killed in action on Aug. 9th in the capture of Le Quesnel in our successful advance, and buried next day in the military cemetery in that place, Row A, grave 8, A cross with his name, number, etc., marks the grave.
It will be a satisfaction to remember that your brother gave his life, and thereby made the supreme sacrifice while discharging his duty to the full to king and country and humanity in their great need.
Surely to those who fall there must be a high place of honor in the next world, and surely also there must be some great blessing coming in the world to compensate in a measure for all the sorrow and suffering and sacrifice involved in this cruel war.
On behalf of the officers, N.C.O.s and men of the battalion, I tender you our sincerest sympathy, and with the earnest prayer that you may be sustained by the consolation which our Christian faith affords.
I remain truly yours,
W. L. BAYNES-REED, Maj.
