Bandsman W. Cunliffe
75th Battn C.E.F.
c/o Army PO London England
no 164557.

Oct 23rd 1916

Dear Aunt

i am very sorry to have to inform you that Herb is dead. they were returning home after carrying ammunition up to the trenches . a german shell fell amongst them one man was instantly killed, herb was severely wounded and died about half an hour after he had been taken to the dressing station there was a party of seven of them all salvationists but one, he was a good christian though, he was killed instantly one of the others was wounded in the leg another one was severely shell shocked and had to be sent away, the boys did their best for herb untill the stretcher bearers arrived, they bandaged him up the best they could in a shell hole with shells falling all around they tell me he was cheerful till the last, he was a good boy you dont know how much i shall miss him. i would far sooner it had been me than him. he was so fond of his wife and children and used to talk of the time they would have together, when he got back only last week mary sent him a lock of one of the childrens hair it is in his bible now with other little cards that have been sent from time to time. i was not with their party i was out with another party all night working under shell fire we did not get back until morning they did not tell me he was dead untill after i had a sleep. my deepest regret is that i was not with them they aught never to have separated us i would rather have died with herb than have been left, we were allways together and god alone knows how we loved each other. still allthough it is very hard to [?] God knows best someday we shall understand why God takes away our loved ones. he has been buried here in a cemetary and if you was here you would know that is something to be thankful for. oh aunt Ellen it will be a blessing when this cruel wicked was is over God values one human soul at more than many worlds yet thousands and thousands of lives must be sacrificed for the possesion of a few miles of land, i know it will be an awful blow for you but God will help you to bear it he has his reasons for allowing these things to happen perhaps he wants to draw us nearer to him. i trust and pray that he will draw each one of us nearer to him. all herbs money and articles of value are being sent on by the Chaplain. i will close now good bye and God bless and keep you from your loving Nephew Will.