The York Club. Toronto.
9th May, 1916.
My dear Sir;
Will you allow me to convey to you and to Mrs. Platt my most sincere sympathy with you in your grief over the death of your only son? He was a faithful Member of my department in the University and he was well-known and much liked by all the staff and I am sure also by all the students with whom he came in contact.
You have the satisfaction of knowing that when he joined the overseas contingent he knew he was with high probability offering his life for his country and that he died in the performance of his duty.
This terrible war has brought many griefs and may yet bring many more; but the grief of losing an only son must be peculiarly poignant. The utmost we can do is to make you aware that in so far as is possible for us who bore relations with your son other than yours, is that we desire to share your grief.
Yours very faithfully,
Jas. Mavor.
[Postscript, date added unknown:] Political Science De. U. of T.