Circumstances of Casualty: Died of Wounds. (Shrapnel Wounds Right Leg, Right Eye and Left Arm) at No. 2 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station.
BC December 15, 1917
Died of Wounds – Private Leonard Howell Killed on West Front on November 18
The following letter, received by Mrs. J. Hastings, 46 Elgin Street, tells of the death of Pte. Leonard John Howell an employee of the Buck Stove Works prior to going overseas.
2 Brampton Square
Brampton Road
London, G.W. 3
England
Dear Mrs. Hastings,
I am sure you will wonder who I am. I know you will be grieved to hear that my darling boy, Leonard, has laid down his life for King and Country. He was killed on the 18th. The chaplain who wrote me said he was very badly wounded in the right eye, right arm and left leg. He spoke to him and asked if he had any message for home but he was unconscious, and passed away at 3.30 pm.
I had always prayed that he might be spared to his young wife and myself, but it was not to be. His was such a bright and happy young life, and always so hopeful of coming back and going again to the land of his adoption. He was a devoted son and husband and his young wife will miss him terribly, as he wrote her so often. She will probably return to Brantford and she will come to see you. Please accept a mother's loving thanks for all your cheering letters you wrote my dear boy and as I do not know other addresses, I wish you would please thank anyone in my name that has ever shown him any kindness. I am glad that he won respect and regard from so many.
I cannot write more now, but should you at any time like to write me, I shall be pleased. It will be a link with my past. With very kind regards from my daughter and myself.
Yours very sincerely,
E. Howell