Letter from Rev Robert Kelso to Mrs.Rankin, 10 October 1916 Letters 1916-1923 Robert Kelso

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Next of kin letter to Mrs Rankin whose son Ian died of wounds in a Canadian Hospital from the Rev Robert Kelso, Principal Chaplain's Dept,Bologne Base, B.E.F. France. Rev Kelso advises that Ian had initially showed signs of recovery but then relapsed and died without much pain or suffering. He offered his sympathy and stated that the doctors and nurses had done everything possible for her son but she was one of many mothers called upon to make the great sacrifice. He hoped and prayed that she would find the strength to bear the strain. He gave details of the burial in France on 6/10/16 grave# 4026.

 Public Record Office of Northern Ireland Kelso Papers, D3019/1/1 https://letters1916.ie/item/710 English Robert Kelso 1916-10-09 Principal Chaplain Department, Boulogne Base, France Mrs Rankin 226 Poulton Rd, Seacombe, Cheshire, United Kingdom Male World War I (1914-1918)

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 Centred at top of page Serg. Geo Burns (8641) 2 nd Canadians Mrs Burns, 74 Paisley Rd. Renfrew Scotland Principal Chaplains Dept Boulogne Base B.E.F.France 9 10 '16. Dear Mrs Burns I am sure you will have heard the sad news of your son's death & I feel I must write to say how much I feel for you in your loss. After my last letter you to you he was so much better that he said he had written you himself so I did not do so. I thought he was on the sure road to recovery & I was terribly disappointed when he suddenly became worse & passed away. He was in such good spirits & so confident of recovery that the relapse was — to me — as unexpected as it was sudden. He was buried in the Military Cemetery here — on 8 thSept Oct. with full Military Honours & the number of the grave is 4039. The Authoritiewill send you a photo of the grave on application to 'Director of Graves Registration & Enquiries, War Office, Winchester House, St James' Sq. London S.W.' but it may be a little time before they can reply to you. Will you please accept my sincerest sympathy & believe me when I say that everything possible was done for your son's comfort and welfare while in Hospital. He has made the Great Sacrifice & such a life and death as his must surely be well-pleasing in the sight of Him who said 'Greater Love Hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.' A line is missing here. Sincerely Yours R Kelso Principal Chaplain Department, Boulogne Base, France Letter from Rev Robert Kelso to Mrs.Rankin, 10 October 1916Letter from Rev Robert Kelso to Mrs. Jackson, 14 October 1916Letter from Rev Robert Kelson to Mrs. Punton, 25 September 1916 226 Poulton Rd, Seacombe, Cheshire, United Kingdom Letter from Rev Robert Kelso to Mrs.Rankin, 10 October 1916 Robert Kelso Letter from Rev Robert Kelso to Mrs.Rankin, 10 October 1916Letter from Rev Robert Kelso to Mrs. Jackson, 14 October 1916