Somewhere in France

Nov. 6/17.

My Dear Mrs. Beath,

It is with great sorrow that I have to write this letter. No doubt you will have been informed of John’s death some time before this letter reaches you, but I thought perhaps it would help a little if I wrote & told you a few of the circumstances.

On the morning of Oct. 26/17 we were detailed for “going over the top” so when the appointed time came we started. John went with me for awhile but we got separated just a very short distance from our first objective & I never saw him after. From what I can gather though he must have been hit almost immediately after. Up to that time he was quite cheerful & was doing his work with a heart. I am very sorry that I was not able to see him again but from what I have heard he had a painless & instantaneous death.

As a stretcher-bearer John turned out a decided success. He was a conscientious worker & by his faithfulness to his platoon he won the respect & good will of all his men.

No doubt you will be wondering who I am when you read this letter. You will see my name affixed & I think by what John has told me you will know who I am. We have been chums ever since our old battalion left Canada and you may be sure I miss him very much.

I send my sincerest sympathy Mrs. Beath in this bereavement of yours but you can always remember that your son died while nobly serving the right & just cause which we are all fighting for.

If I could give any more information I would be glad to do so. If you care to write I would be very pleased indeed to hear from you. I believe our sergt. will be writing you soon & I think he will corroborate all my statements.

Yours very sincerely,

Laurence B. McNichol.

910981

Pte. L.B. McNichol

S.B. “B” Coy. 46th Batt.

Canadians.

B.E.F. France.