France
6.10.16
Dear Mother
I don’t know where to start this letter – for the last two or three weeks we have had a dreadful time. Of course you will have heard the worst of the news by now, poor Albert Hargest was killed on the morning of our first advance – one shell killed 3 & wounded 7. Two days later we advanced again & Bagrie has been missing since & I am afraid there no chance of him turning up. It all seems like a horrible nightmare but unfortunately the more we awake the more real it becomes. What a shock their people will get. I am writing to them but feel so helpless, especially in the case of Albert Bagrie. Fortunately Jim Hargest was near at the time & it will be some relief to Mrs H. to think he was there. Of the W’side boys Mark Collins got a slight wound & Chris Millar got a bruise but both are quite right now. W. Hume is in the pipe band & was not in the actual advance & is alright. Am afraid of Duncan Moffitt but have heard no reliable news. Bill Millar, who came up with us, is alright. Hope my cable got through safely & didn’t give you a fright – thought you’d feel anxious.
Love to all Len.
