1 4th July '16 Dear Mr Davidson It is with the deepest
regret and sorrow I start this
letter to you, and cannot express
in words what I feel about
poor Jim, he always was so
good & kind to me. All I
can say in my poor way is
that he died as he live a
grand man, ad is for ever
graded as one of "Brittians
greatest Hero's." I am sure
you know by now what he
did, but I must tell you in
my own words. He went
across with the first and
although getting casualties in his 2 team took the German 1st
and second lines, with the
help of a few men made an
emplacement in the 3rd line
and although wounded started
to work, one by one his men
fell until he had no one
but himself, and did he stop
No!!! he worked on with his
gun "singlehanded" although
wounded through the leg.
His ammunition ran out did
he give in, those who know
Jim well know the answer
No !!!. He took bombs from
the men round him and through them till his strength
gave out. Some men 3 carried him to a dug out
in the German front line untill
untill the bearers would come
for him, Ah!!! there is the
tradgity, the stretcher bearers
could not come. The ground
between our line and theirs
was sweped with murdreous
m/c gun and shrapnel fire
which made it impossible
for the bearers, ammunitions carriers
or messengers to get across.
Many a good life was sacrificed
in trying to do this. Our men after fighting for
hours were beaten back because
of shortage of ammunition and
men so when this word reached 4 4/
Jim he made his way out of
the dugout to try & get back
to rally his men, what a
noble heart, — but found
he was unable to do anything
but crawl, therefor as no
help was coming accrosshe
tried to get back him self
and while crossing "nomans land"
was shot, I believe through the
head & it is believed died
instantly in no pain. Was
not it a glorious ending
to a glorious life. I am sorry I
am unable to write you a good
letter but even yet I am not myself
after what I have come through this
last ten days, and the tears are rolling
down the face of your friend & his friend. Jo Sterdman 5 On Active Service Written 21st Sent 26th June Mrs. S.C. Davidson
Seacourt
Bangor
Co. Down
Ireland JmDavidson 21-6-16