JOHN ANDERSON IS REPORTED KILLED

Mrs. Robert Smith of 314 Hailburton street, whose son, Private John Anderson was reported officially as missing in August last, is now in receipt of a letter from his commanding officer which removes all hope that he still might be living, a prisoner in the hands of the enemy.

Dear Mrs. Smith,

I am very sorry to have to tell you that your son was killed in action with the battalion on Aug. 15th.

I would have written you before but it was not till today that I discovered your address by taking the liberty of opening one of your letters to your son.

He had been with me for two and a half years, and it is needless to say that I had become very much attached to him.

His death occurred during an attack made by the battalion, I had gone over with the attack and about two hours afterwards when Jock was coming over with four other men, a shell landed in their midst, killing three and seriously wounding the other two. He was bringing over some things of mine, among which was a pair of field glasses, which I afterwards recovered in a badly smashed condition.

He must have been killed instantly, and I am thankful to say could not, therefore, have suffered any pain.

I sympathise with you deeply in your loss, as I know he must have been a faithful son from my intimate knowledge of him, and I miss him very much.

Please accept my deep sympathy,

Yours sincerely,

G. E. McCuaig,

Lieut- Colonel.