Havana Cuba
March 16 1915
My dear Beaumont,
It is a long time since we have seen Each other but I frequently hear of you thro Mary.
I was very sorry to read in the newspaper of the death at the front of your son Herbert. I saw it first in a Halifax paper and was going to write then but thought it better to wait for confirmation. This morning a Victoria paper came from Mary with his picture and a full account.
I met your other son Arthur at Kingston. He graduated the same year as my Arthur. This war is certainly terrible and comes very close to us all. My son is at Ottawa with the 2nd Contingent awaiting orders. My cousin Major Frank Symons is at the front on Genl French’s staff, and my second cousin Capt Harry Kaulbach has been wounded. So you see I am somewhat interested. We hear nothing of the war in Havana except the meagre reports in the daily papers and have to depend upon outside sources for any particulars.
Mrs. Boggs and yourself have my sincere sympathy in your great loss and I trust your other son will be spared to you.
I have very pleasant remembrances of you, both when we were boys in Halifax and when I visited Victoria and hope that some day we may meet again.
Yours sincerely
John W Lawson
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