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of the death of your son, J. E. Atter. He was killed this morning by a rie
bullet shot at random. He was just behind our front line, and was hit in
the back of the head, and killed instantly. I had kept him in my notice
because he was your son, and so I can say from personal knowledge
that he was a most conscientious soldier. All details of reports, some of
them perhaps irksome to a thoughtless man, were always -?- carefully
observed. His capacity might have demanded a position higher than
that of a private soldier, but whatever ambition he might have had, that
did not deter him from performing every single portion of the work that
fell to his lot. I feel sure that all his ofcers will speak well of him. Our
hearts are with you all in your troubles. I am yours truly. C. H. Jones.”
Mrs. Atter has now received the following letter:-
“20th April, 1916. Dear Mrs. Atter. I feel I must write a few lines to say
how very sorry we all are to lose “Jimmy.” He was one of the best
soldiers in my platoon, and never shirked his work, and was always
willing to do anything that was required of him. He was killed instantly,
and suffered no pain. Please accept on behalf of N.3 platoon and myself
our deepest sympathy on losing so good a comrade. – Yours sincerely,
Leslie Tervor Jones, 2nd Lieut., No.3 Platoon, B Coy.”
Deceased was exceedingly popular with all his friends and associates.
Born at Melton Mowbray on November 28th 1896, he was in his 20th year.
He was educated at Oakham School, and inherited his father’s sporting
proclivities. For two seasons he played regularly in the cricket eleven, and
was also in the School Rugby fteen, while on a few occasions he assisted
the Melton Mowbray Rugby F.C. during the vacations. Deceased passed