A SOLDIER'S DEATH.

Northern Advocate, 15 December 1916, Page 2

A SOLDIER'S DEATH.

PRIVATE HAHOLD WILKINSON

A SYMPATHETIC LETTER.

Mr J. Wilkinson, of Wkarigare'i; lias just received a letter, i'ro'hi Private Ted McMahon (formerly of the Whangarei Hotel) extending sympathy to Mr Wilkinson in the loss of his son arid giving a few particulars of the sad event. The letter is dated September 30. It is shown that Private Harold Wilkinson was killed at Fleura, in France. Private McMahon writes:—

"It is with many misgivings and a sorrowful pen that I write you. I would have written sooner but for Captain Holgate telling me that he was writing. - Since then I, too, have had my sorrows, losing my step-brother, C Reinhardt on the 27th and my bosom mate Mr J. Naughton—(Mick Naughton, formerly of the Whangarei Hotel)on the same date. I know js-ou must feel deeply at your loss but I know also that as a man you will live through it and may be that when the first soreness wears off you will lift your head a little higher, for what greater sacrifice could you make? And T fed certain that you think as I do for I would i rather have my brother lie where he is —unknown though his grave be, for he is among the missing—than that he should still be parading Cameron street." The writer goes on to speak ;of the greater sacrifices and sorrows of the good mothers and adds: —'You have but one consolation that your son died as he lived —a man, a good soldier and a true churchman. I was speaking to Harold just previous to tea and we were being heavily shelled at the time. Poor lad, lie -was killed ere dark and lies buriccl just at the rear of the village we had taken." Private McMahon thoughtfully forwarded the dead soldier's Bible and some other articles which will now become treasured posessions.