Circumstances of Casualty: Killed in Action.
Location of Unit at Time of Casualty: North of Courcelette.
BX December 6, 1916
Private John Brown Reported Killed
That Private John Brown of this city had been killed in action was the word received by his wife, who resides at 52 Oxford Street. Pte. Brown enlisted with the 84th Battalion, but on getting overseas was transferred to another Battalion.
BX December 11, 1916
Was Killed While Helping Wounded – Private John Brown had Done Splendid Work in Attack on November 18
“It was while out helping some of our boys who had been wounded on the way over that he met his death,” reads a sentence in a letter with particulars of the death of her husband, received by Mrs. J. Brown, 52 Oxford Street from Lieut. C.S. Clark, “C” Company 75th Battalion, who was in charge of the platoon in which her husband was a member. The letter, which strongly testifies to the deceased hero’s bravery, is as follows:
The war has inflicted many hardships on those engaged in it, but I think there is no greater hardship endured than by those at home who can only wait anxiously for news of their loved ones. It is with the deepest of regret that I inform you of the death of your husband, who was killed in action on the morning of the 18th. We were in an advance on that date which was greatly successful, but as is always, the case some of our best boys were called upon make the supreme sacrifice. I realize how much you will feel the loss of your husband, but hope you will find some consolation in the fact that he died a hero’s death. The work done by him on that day was wonderful. He was with me throughout the advance and reached the objective safely. It was while out helping some of our men who had been wounded on the way that he met his death. For his bravery he has been specially recommended, and I feel sure had he come through he would have been decorated for his noble work. You will recall the words of the Lord, “Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.” These words do surely apply in the case of our husband. If you can think of anything that I can do for you I will only be too pleased to do it if you write me.
With deepest sympathy.
