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to say he died nobly doing his duty like an Englishman. We buried
him nicely at night behind the lines. Bill Roper one of the burial
party, Corpl. Boulger, and myself went last night and trimmed it
up a bit. We shall make a wreath of evergreens and put on it. The
chaplain came up and read the service for us. Well, dear mother,
I cannot write much more this time, as I feel about done up. May
God watch over and protect you, and give you strength to stand
this awful blow. It is a big blow to me, and I know it will be a bigger
one to you. Kiss Regg and Lott for me, and accept same yourself.
That is all this time, with love from your loving son. Arch. P.S. – We
come out of the trenches on Tuesday night for six days.”
Private R. Lakey, son of Mr. Robert Lakey, 14, Chapel street,
Melton Mowbray was also killed the same day. He served his
apprenticeship as bookbinder at Mr. J. W. Warner’s, 11 years ago,
then took a situation in Lincoln. After that he had various other
engagements and when the war broke out was employed by Mr.
Stacey, printer and bookbinder, Leicester. Deceased enlisted in the
2/5th Leicester’s (Territorial’s), and went out with the second draft
from Luton. Last Friday his father received the following letter. –
“Dear Mr. Lakey. – It is with deepest regret that I write to tell you
of your son’s death. He was killed by a shell on Sunday morning
early, and died as brave a death as any soldier could. He was
greatly respected by the rest of the company, and please accept
the deepest sympathy from me and from them in your great loss.
Yours sincerely. F. E. Wynne, 2nd Lieut.” Deceased’s sister Mrs.
J. W. Coulson, received the following letter from Sergt. Dobson.
“September 16th. Dear Madam. – Just a line to let you know the