August 21/18.

Dear Mrs. Shirley:

It is with great regret that I have to write you in connection with the death of your son L/Corp. R. S. Shirley. I can assure you Mrs. Shirley that in the death of such a gallant young soldier we have suffered a loss which we can never replace. During all his service with me I have found him one of the bravest boys I had in the Company. His soldierly qualities have been inspiration to the rest of his comrades through out his service.

I think I can say without doubt that he was the most popular boy in the whole company and generally liked by his Officers and Comrades.

He was killed at the finish of our recent successful advance in which the battalion did excellent work. The work of your son through out the whole of the operation was of the highest order. The battalion pushed forward to a village which was the furthest point reached by any troops in the advance. It was during a counter attack by the enemy on this place that your son was killed by a machine gun bullet in the head. He was killed instantly and had no suffering. When killed he was firing his Lewis Gun of which he was in charge to the last round and made the enemy pay a terrible price for his life.

I can assure you Mrs. Shirley he died a death of which any soldier would be proud.

On behalf of the Company and myself I wish to offer you our deepest sympathy on the loss of your brave son.

I have recommended him for Mention In Dispatches which is the only reward I can secure him.

Very Sincerely

F. L. Hesson, Major
C. Coy.