Source: August 1918 casualty.
PTE. HARVEY McARTHUR
Somewhere in France
Sept. 12, 1918
Mrs. Annie McArthur,
Dear friend:– I am taking the liberty of sending you a few nines to let you know how sorry we all are, and that we are bearing with you the loss of your son Harvey in France.
We knew him, not as one of our own, but as a man, a comrade fighting for the same great cause and the freedom of our land and loved ones at home. It will be a slight pleasure to know that he did not suffer but was taken away without pain and I am sure was ready to go. He did all a man could do, gave his life for his fellow men.
We buried him many miles behind the line ins a nice quiet place that will always be looked after, and a nice painted cross marks the place where he rests. He was in my section so I knew him well and I thought as I belong to Teeswater, I had better send you a few lines. I am enclosing my address and I will be glad to hear from you. I hope these few lines will help in some small way to lighten your load of care, and when we remember it is all for the best, for our own God has willed it so. If there is anything I can do that is in my power I will only be glad to do it for you.
Yours very sincerely,
Cpt. McKay
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 