Pte. H. Jeffrey. E.L.R., 13 Robert-st., Rawtenstall; Mesopotamia. Cotton Cellulose Co. Ltd, Constable Lee, St. Paul's Church.

I regret to state that Mrs Johnson of Spencer Street, Crawshawbooth, has received official intimation that her husband, Pte. John H. Johnson, was killed in action an 30th May, at a place not stated. Pte. Johnson was an especially pleasant young fellow, and the whole district will deeply sympathise with the relatives in their sad bereavement.

Official intimation has been received by Mrs. Johnson, of 35, Tryon-street, Reedsholme, Rawtenstall, that her husband, Private Samuel Johnson, was killed by a stray shell at Chocolate Hill, Suvla Bay, on September 11th. It appears that Private Johnson was in the cook house at the time pre­paring to go back to the trenches after having had a week's rest. He enlisted in the 6th East Lancashire Regiment at the outbreak of war, and went out to the Dardanelles on June 6th. He took part in the great fight at Suvla Bay and escaped injury. Prior to joining the army Private John­son worked as a weaver at Reedsholme Mill. He was twenty-two years of age and only married in April last, when over on furlough. Much sym­pathy is felt for the widow, and also for the two brothers and sister of the deceased.

In a letter to Mrs. Johnson, Quarter-Master Sergeant H. Parker says:—"No doubt you will by now have received information about your dear husband's death, and you will excuse me writing to you, but you have sent several parcels to him and letters, and since he died we have received two which have been opened and given to his com­rades in his platoon. He received about four the evening before the day on which he was killed but did not finish the contents, which were also given out." After stating that he had destroyed all the correspondence, Quarter-Master Sergeant Parker continues:—"He was a very willing lad and I was pretty well interested in his welfare having the job of feeding and clothing him, but it seems fate that I should lose my best men first. He went through the charge on the 9th August quite safely. He was buried at Suvla Bay just near the sea with several of his comrades, and a small wooden cross was put over his grave. We have moved from the dreadful place, but I can assure you they will be looked after, and when the last shot is fired the Government will erect proper monuments." The letter closes with the writer's and his comrades' deepest sympathy with Mrs. Johnson in her great loss, and adds that she has the consolation of knowing that he died for a great cause.

A memorial service will be held in St. Paul's Church, Constable Lee on Sunday evening.

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