Show RITES TO SISTER j BEFORE HE GOES GOES GOES' OVER OVERTOP TOP Cy fly Special News Service SAN FRANCISCO Oct 13 At 13 At dawn on April 8 8 1917 when the Seaforth Highlanders went over the the top in the big British advance at l Ie ridge I among those killed was a a. young I Iwho Scotch lieutenant Algernon Davidson Dl who prior to the war wa was a n pedagogue In a country schoolhouse at Dingwall in the hl highlands of or Scotland When England sent out her first t call for volunteers in 1914 Davidson then 32 years ears old enlisted as a private lie He I said goodby to his sister Jean Davidson David David- son with whom he had quietly lived David I in ina ina ina a little cottage In the foothills and left for France Ills His three brothers In various parts of Scotland also Joined On the night of April 7 7 1917 word I I was passed through the British tr trenches of the t big ig push to be made In Inthe inthe I the tho morning Davidson who had won wona a a. lieutenancy for bravery had a a. premonition premonition premonition pre pre- pre pre- I monition that he was to be killed In Inthe Inthe inthe the early morning charge over the top I LETTER TO SISTER That night he wrote the following I I letter to his sister Jean back in Scotland Scotland Scot Scot- land who ever prayed for the day of ot othis his return This letter Is now in scot scot-I possession possession pos pos- session of A. A E. E of or London a former friend of Davidson I April 7 1017 My Iy Dearest Jean In twenty-four twenty hours or so from now we go out to meet the enemy and I feel constrained to write you a few lines not lines not farewell ones as I hope and pray but you can understand that these are the thoughts and feelings to which I would like to give I sion My first duty Is to give gl you my ray heartfelt thanks for your kindness and devotion to me and the others during all these years ears Yours has been a hard and unselfish life Indeed and can never repay you for all that you have been wonderful and we have been greatly blessed In having such a sister But now Jean if it be Gods God's will wll that we do not meet again on this earth you must not mourn for me as having left you for for- ever Whatever happens I am all right Should I fall in the fight in my country's country's country's coun coun- try's great cause then I would like I that the great feeling in your heart I were one of pride that your brother I was privileged ed to lay down his life a I willing sacrifice for tor his country's good CONFIDENT IN CAUSES CAUSE'S RIGHT Yes Jean I 1 would like you to think of ot me as still living and looking forward forward forward for for- ward to the time timo when we shall meet again I leave you OU In Gods God's good hands and nd I know he will take care of or you a as as ho lie has done in these e past years Trust him more moro and more Jean as heIs ho he hoIs hoIs Is worthy of all our and hopeWe hopeWe hope We e are going into the fight confident confident confident dent In the tho righteousness of or our cause God give me rae strength to lead my men fearlessly that Is my prayer as I know knowS It shall be yours Now Joan I bid you goodbye and my earnest prayer for fOI you Is that God will bless and keep you Have no fear for me I have faith In our Heavenly Father and all Is well My Iy earnest I wish is that I had served him more faithfully In the past May lolay God forgive me for my neglect With heartfelt thanks again Jean for your great kindness to me in the past God bless you yell ou and take care of or you In the years to come Fondest love from y your ur loving ever-loving brother ALGY P S S. Cheer up Jean lassie I |