1 July 7 1916 Ashfild Lodge Cootehill Ireland Dear Mrs Nugent I must write to say
how thrilled we feel at
the Ulster Division's
magnificent advance under
your husband's valiant
lead. His addresses to his
troops are so splendid, and
their response so fine. Please
let him know what we feel
here. So many of our brave boys
from here are with him. Among them
Three from our Gate Lodge (one
wounded) & another the only
child of a family great friends
of ours. He is signaller - my
daughters first taught him 2 but it is a terrible watch now
for the names. They would
neither surrender nor retire
The world might call it foolhardy glorious!
but it is such conduct that
purifies the poor world, and
raises it to a higher level
and lives in history for generations
to come. Please convey our
heart felt congratulations to
your husband and accept
them yourself also from us.
Don't these verses fit them?
And now we feel that all around
Have angels walked the well known ground
Not winged & strange beyond our ken
But in the form of common men
God's messengers from Heaven's own sphere
Unrecognised - because so near. Believe me sincerely yours Gertrude Clements