WAS THE FIRST MAN OVER THE PARAPET

Major George Rothnie who is official reported to be missing and believed to be killed, was setting a gallant example.

Mrs. Stevens of the Five Acres, is in receipt of the following account from a brother officer, of the manner in which her brother, Major George Rothnie, fell while gallantly leading his men. This account was contained in a letter to the widow of the late officer, which reads as follows:

France Nov. 9th.

Dear Mrs. Rothnie:

You have no doubt been advised that your husband has been officially reported missing since Oc. 21st and have not as yet been able to find any trace of him, and from what I can learn from the other officers and men who were near him at the time, we have almost given up all hope of finding him.

The only hope we have is that he may have been taken a prisoner by the Germans.

I have been informed that he was the first officer over the parapet and was gallantly leading his men on to victory when last seen.

To a person acquainted with conditions in the trenches, it is very difficult to locate a man who is lost, as the ground is blown up into deep holes.

We all regret his untimely loss, as he was one of our best officers, and was loved and respected by all ranks and particularly by those who knew him best.

I myself feel the loss very keenly as he was one of my best friends in the whole battalion and I felt as if I had always known him.

To you and your family, all of whom I have had the pleasure of meeting, I offer my sincere heartfelt sympathy, well knowing that you have (I am afraid) lose a kind and loving husband and father.

You will, I trust, find some consolation in the fact that he died as he would have wished- a soldier bravely doing his duty- and I trust a grateful country will provide for your material comfort.

The package of socks and box of cigarettes sent by Lillian arrived today, and as we are moving again, they were distributed to the men for their use, well knowing that the major would have done the same himself as if he had two pair of socks or two cigarettes he would gladly divide at any time.

With sincere sympathy and regrets at your and our great loss, I have the honor to be,

JOHN A. KIRKPATRICK,

Capt. And Paymaster.