Letter of condolence from Lieutenant Banham

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16 March 1916

9th Royal Sussex Regt
B E F
France
March 6th 1916

Dear Mrs Whitehouse,

I am so sorry I have not been able to write to you before but I have been unwell - I am your husband's platoon commander and I want to write to you to offer my sympathy in your heavy loss - Your husband at the time of his death was placed in a bombing post situated at one of the craters which the huns blew up on the 14th inst.  A shell was dropped in the midst of his party, one of whom was wounded - the rest I fear killed - This war is awful and these terrible catastrophes make us wish all the more the whole affair was over.

Your husband was attached to the Battalion bombers - so I was not so very close to him - but I feel I have lost in him one of my best men.  He was always so willing and cheery and whenever there was anything doing - he was always there.

I daresay you have heard from a great friend of his Pte. Warren.  They were always inseparable - The whole Batt had a bad time - we lost many men and officers - at this time we can hardly realize what has happened.  It is so little we can do in these matters - I only offer my sincerest sympathy and may god give you strength to bear this heavy loss - Your husband has made the supreme sacrifice - his life - and he has died a hero - no man can do more for his country than that.

My dear Mrs Whitehouse may you be given the strength to get through this trouble - The sympathy of all C Company's officers and men.

Yours very sincerely,

JJ Banham Lt.

Letter of condolence from Lieutenant Banham (22k)
Transcript (Word document)