大象传媒

Dear Clare,

I found this letter on returning home and thought you might like to add it to the file.

This is a copy of a letter written in pencil by Lt Col G.L.G. Gadson .Royal Artillery
Dated 1 May 1945
Addressed to my grandmother.

112th Field Regt R. A.
B.L.A.

1 May 1945

Dear Mrs Ramsden,

Thank you for your letter.

I can well realise and appreciate the deep grief you and your daughter in law must feel in your tragic loss.

At the time your son was killed the battery position was being shelled fairly heavily. As battery Sergeant Major he ordered

all the vehicles on the position to be dispersed and the men to take cover. To insure that his orders were properly carried out

he walked about the position and quite fearlessly and without any thought for himself exposed himself to considerable

danger. By his gallant conduct and forethought in the execution of his duty he undoubtedly saved many lives.

I may add that during the whole of this campaign he has shown the greatest coolness in danger. It became necessary to

Order the battery to change its position and while assisting the reconnaissance parties to get off the position a shell fell

Near them killing your son and wounding three others.

I am afraid that it would have been impossible to take him back to England. He was buried at the English cemetery at

Klopenburg by the padre with this regiment. As many as possible attended his funeral as he was beloved by all.

I don鈥檛 think there is very much more I can tell you. I do not yet know whether the bodies from this cemetery will be

Moved later, this will be decided in due course and you will be notified.

However his body is not the most important, it was his courage and cheerfulness which will be remembered.

I realise how much his loss must mean to you both as it has to all of us in a lesser degree.

I can only say that I am sure that it would have been her husbands wish that your daughter in law should face life now with

the same courage he always showed himself in life and which was exemplified in his death.

Yours sincerely,

G.L.G. Gadson
Lt Col R.A.

Please forgive pencil but I am writing in the small hours of the morning and cannot find my pen.

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