185 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca RSM James Morrison served with the 52nd Battalion in the second battle at Vimy Ridge. He served with his three sons. On April 16, 1917 his eldest son, James Jr., was killed in action, his father witnessed this tragic event. The following is a letter, written to his wife Kate the following day, trying to explain their son’s death. The letter was written in a pencil on four pages of a field message book and reads: THE LETTER HOME: Somewhere in France, April 17. My Dear Wife and Children, It is like breaking my heart to write and let you know our darling boy is dead. He was killed on the night of the 16th and Old God was good to me for he died in my arms. He was not conscious. A shell burst in amongst us and it was the hand of God that protected me as he was only 3 yards off me. I always liked to have him close to me. I at once got at him and held him in my arms till he died. His was a painless death, for life was gone in about two minutes. It is breaking my heart to think that our darling boy has gone, but God alone knows what your sorrow will be when you hear of it. But, Kate, I will pray to God and his Blessed Mother that you may get strength to bear your loss as none known the depth of a mother’s love. I am sending home some of the property that was in his pockets. Other property will be sent on late. What I am sending is the photos of his Mother, Grandmother, Sisters, Brothers which he was always so proud of. Well my dear Kate, I will need to finish as my heart is like to break, but trust in God you will get strength to bear your terrible loss for the sake of the remainder of your children. From your loving and broken hearted Husband and Father till death XXXXXXXXXXXXX. The following is from a magazine article, believed to be a Catholic parishioner’s magazine and was printed about the same time: “SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE” FATHER AND SON Just a note to thank you and your kind and sympathetic letter. My only anxiety now is for those at home in Canada. God only know how his mother will take it, but she will have this consolation that he was well prepared for death. It was the night of the 16th. We were in one part of the battle line and were to change to another. It was pitch dark and snowing heavily. We set out about 8:30pm for our new position—as cheery a lot of fellow as you could meet anywhere. All went well for a time, though we were under heavy shell fire-and, of course, once you go forward there is no going back, for the simple reason that the safest place is to get through the barrage. Close on 11pm the barrage-firing got more and more fierce, and we were out in the open—ever moving forward in a steady, brisk step-with no cover or protection possible. It was hear that a shell dropped just two yards from us, and close to my boy’s side. The shell burst, and some of us were tossed into the air. When I struck the ground again I heard the groans of the wounded, and my first thoughts were for James. I shouted his name, and getting no reply, knew that the worst had happened. I moved around in the dark, until I came across a group of men lying still; I turned my flashlight on them, and he was the second I came to. I knelt down, and got him out from amongst the rest, and found he was still alive, but a mere glance told me that death was near. I took him in my arms and gently spoke to him, but he was unconscious. He died in my arms, having lived just three to five minutes after the MORRISON, James Sr. WWI ➤
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