In letter number eight, Pte. Sefton Steward of the 77th Battalion has sad news to share with his family at home in Richmond Ontario. The complete letters will be on
display until the end of November at the Stittsville Public Library in the Museum's exhibit honouring
Goulbourn in wartime.
France – February 5, 1917
Dear Mother,
Am just
out of the trenches and have some very sad news to tell you which I suppose you
have already heard about. Poor Sid was
killed on February 4th while being engaged in a raid on Fritz’s
trench. It certainly is hard news to
break to you as I know how the people of Richmond and surrounding country will
feel over it, especially Miss Dorras who I am going to write to.
The
rest of our lads are safe, but there were quite a few casualties throughout the
Ottawa Valley. Harry Guy from
Stittsville was also killed. There were
also two other casualties out of our own battalion. It is almost impossible to send any of their
belongings home. Of course, they would
be of little use at any rate.
I am
sure this will go hard on you people around Richmond. There is so much going on here and we get so
used to such things that we can scarcely realize that he (Sid) is gone.
I think
we are now done on the front and are going out for divisional rest. It was kind of a dangerous position we held
here. They have been making these raids
all along the line as you will see in the papers. There is great talk of peace at present as I
am sure the papers are full of it. Heard
today that the States declared war on Germany, but it is hard to say whether it
is certain yet. If so, I think it will
bring the war to a close shortly.
Well,
Mother, you don’t want to get uneasy when hearing any of these reports as you
will always get direct word. Well, poor
Sid is out of all troubles now, the only worry will be to his parents and
friends. Ervie has been very lucky,
together with myself.
With love to all,
Sefton
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