Robert Johnson

He was the adopted son of Mr and Mrs H Watkinson, Gate Inn, Clarborough and was married. His wife, of 6, Myrtle Street, Retford, recieved the following letter dated 28th April:

'Dear Mrs. Johnson,—I must ask you to prepare yourself fo: a shock in case the War Office have not officially notified you about your husband.

I must tell you that your dear husband gave his life dearly in the service of his country on 13th April.

His Company were in a wood and were having a tough time when his major, the Hon. Clegg-Hill, fell mortally wounded from a sniper's bullet.

At this stage I took over the Company, and we were pushed forward but ran into some very stiff resistance, and it was here that your husband was hit,

and died instantaneously. He did not know anything about it.

I can assure you of that, as one of my men were right beside him as he fell. I feel I ought to tell you this, so that you should know all the facts. He has been laid to rest with several other of his comrades, and has a wooden cross on his grave with his number and name.

This is a tragic loss for you, and I must tell you that I and all his comrades in this Company have been deeply moved by his parting as he was a great favourite and amongst the most popular men of the Com-any. Please accept my sincere sympathies and those of'my men in your great loss.

We shall not forget those who have fallen, and their sacrifice will not be in vain.

May God bless you and comfort you in your sorrow.-Yours very sincerely,

P. W. Tyrrell, Capt.'