"FALLEN IN THE FIGHT."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11540, 27 November 1900, Page 6

"FALLEN IN THE FIGHT."

A pathetic letter (says a Cape paper) has I been received by a member of the family respecting the death of H. T. G. Reid, who was killed in action at Waterval on July 9. It was written by a young member of the Canadian force equipped by •, Lord Strathcona.. and impressively indicates the spirit of comradeship in arms and kindly devotion amongst all sections of the auxiliary forces fighting for Queen and country in South Africa, where so many tragic scenes have been witnessed. We are permitted to give a few extracts from the letter, which will interest many readers who have family links with the seat of war. " Waterval, July 15. Dear Miss Reid,— It is with deep regret and sorrow I record the death of your brother Hugh, who was killed, some three or four miles from hfere, while in action. I will try ' and tell you how it happened: Their troop was patrolling along the railroad, and they, seoing Several men c n horseback, thought them to be some of their own boys. Your brother rode out first to see who they were, and as he did so was shot through the breast. One other man was seriously wounded. I have tried to find out all the information I could about it, and I understand when the troop passed him he was dead. They returned to camp late that night, but some of his comrades went out to bring in the body, and were unable to locate it in the dark, and returned without it. My troop was detailed to patrol the railroad next day, July 10. Before Igo further I must tell you the corps I belong to is Strathcona's Horse. We come from Canada. We have been camped alongside the S.A.L.H. ever since we formed this brigade. We patrolled down five miles, where we met one of the squadrons of the S.A.L.H. It was noon then, so we started back for Waterval and the others for Standerton.' As we were returning I came across the body lying on a small knoll. I rode up, not knowing who it, was, or what it was. Dismounting, I put my hand on his cheek, and found it was cold. By that time my chum had arrived, and said to me, 'It is someone sleeping.' I said, ' No ; it must be the young man who was killed yesterday.' Ho was lying on his left side, his head on his left arm, a smiling expression on his face, as though he had died in perfect peace. Your letter of June 5 was lying on the ground beside him, just us though it had been his last thought, and the letter must have been a comfort to him. I put the letter in my pocket, intending to £ive it to some of his chums, but I have not met any, so I read the letter this morning, and decided to drop you a few lines. His went out next morning, and brought the body in. He was buried on the afternoon of June 11. His grave is alongside rf a comrade of mine, by name of Corporal H. Lee, who was killed on July 6. The two graves are fixed the same with a long flat stone, which is on the top, and a few small ones to finish out the length. There is a stone fence built around the two, leaving a pretty little plot 9ft wide and 12ft long. There is a stone about 4ft high at the head of each, and attnched-to the top of that is a wooden cross with the name and date, of which a copy is: ' In memory of Hush Reid, who fell in action on July 9, 1900. Deeply regretted by all his comrades.' The stones are white, and look nice. The graves are about 100 yds from the railroad bridge on the west side of the railroad track, close to the river. This camp is all trenched and fortified. Wo may have an attack any day. The first sheet of paper is tho one you sent to your brother. It • was lying a short distance from the letter. I went down to the graves this morijing and got a little tuft of grass from a sod- taken from the grave. I will enclose it in this letter. I noticed in your letter that your father has not been well. I hope that the death of your brother will not cause him to be worse. We hope it is for the best. Now do not fret about the brave boy who loved to fight and die for his country and also for the right, for I believe we are fighting one of the battles that is going to do more toward civilising South Africa. I have been away from home for about three years. My home is in Cookcstown, near Toronto, but I have beon out in British Columbia. They used to write to me and say I was so far away from home that it just seemed as if I was dead, and I was only 2000 miles away then, but now lam 10,000. I have travelled around tho world a great deal for a kid, as some of the older members of our troop call mc, as lam the youngest in it, And I»m a Christian, as I judge from your letter you are. Well, I must now close, as I have no more time to spare. May God and Heaven bless you and your bereaved family in this time of sorrow. I may see you in London on our return home to Canada, if I vm fortunate enough to get through without getting killed or wounded.— remain, your sincere friend, F. Arnold, Reg. No. .402, C Squadron, Troop Strathcona' Horse, Canadian Contingent, South Africa."