James Albert Slatter

Pte. J. A. Slatter Worksop Guardian 7 September 1917 Deep sympathy is expressed with Mr. and Mrs. William Slatter, 117, Gateford Road, Worksop, in the bereavement which has befallen them, in the death in action of their eldest son Pte. James. Albert. Slatter, a bright, promising young fellow. Mr. Slatter is an old and trusted servant of the G. C. Railway Company, and he and his family are held in great respect. Albert as the deceased lad was popularly known, enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters on January 4th 1915, previous to which time he worked at Steetley Colliery. He was drafted out to France on December 15th the same year, just before his 20th birthday. He was attached to the Royal Engineers, tunnelling Corps. And in this capacity he saw much service. He was wounded on February 14th last year, and was invalided at home. After a stay in hospital he went out again, and was last at home in January of this year. The notification of his death was received from the War Office, simply states that he was killed in action on August 16th. It was surmised that he and others were tunnelling at the time, but up to the time of writing no further particulars had been received. Pte. Albert Slatter was a good son and a gallant soldier, one whose memory will be cherished with affection by those who knew him. To his parents his loss is indeed a severe blow. Mrs. Slatter has since received a letter from deceased’s Commanding Officer, Captain E. Jones, R. B. Captain Jones says :- “I am sorry to say that your noble son was killed by a shell on the morning of the 16th and died instantaneously without suffering any pain. I cannot express how sorry I am to lose him. He was devoted to duty; he died doing his duty for his King and country. I was given to understand by the officer who was with him at the time that he would write to you then, but we were very busy then and have been ever since…… I can imagine what a terrible blow this means to you and to every mother in this great struggle. “Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. Do not think of him laying in this foreign country, but think of him in his glory in the Kingdom of Heaven, where there is no pain and worry”. I trust the Lord will give you strength to bear this sad loss,-Yours Faithfully, E. Jones, Capt., R. E.

Commemerated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. Research by Colin Dannatt ............................................................................................................. Also commenorated on the United Methodist Church Worksop Memorial now (2015) held at the Bassetlaw Museum Grove Street Retford Robert ilett 14.12.15