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From: Chris Shelley <>
Subject: [NFLD-ROOTS] Newspaper Lookups and R.A.G.
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 05:11:47 -0800


To the List,
The Events for 1918 were transcribed with the help of John Baird.

Reprinted courtesy of Robinson-Blackmore Printing and Publishing

From the St. John's Daily News

Mon. Jan. 14, 1918

Letters of Sympathy To Mrs. BARTLETT

War Dept., Washington,
Dec. 24, 1917.

Dear Mrs. BARTLETT- May I send you word of personal sympathy in the loss of
your son, Rupert? Although this young man was a member of our sister forces
and not of our own, the loss comes home to us as closely both because of the
unity of our aims and effort at the present time, and because we are proud
to recognize the splendid service of any member of the Bartlett family.
Cordially yours,
(Sgd.) NEWTON D. BAKER
Secretary of War.


________________

B. E. F., Dec. 13, 1917

Dear Mrs. BARTLETT,- You will have heard before this of the death of your
son in the battle of Nov. 30th, and I am now writing to offer you and your
family my deepest sympathy in your great loss. I indeed know what a great
loss he is to the regiment, for he was a most brave and gallant officer, so
that I can understand some measure what a terrible loss he must be to you.
I had been talking to him only a very short time before he went out to lead
his company that he met his death. He was killed instantaneously by a
bullet so he suffered no pain. I looked upon him as one of my best and most
reliable officers, and I knew him so well as he was first with me in
Gallipoli.
The only consolation that I can offer you is that he met his death in
the best possible way- leading his company in the attack on the company.
Will you please accept on my behalf, and I know that the whole regiment
joins with me, my deepest sympathy in your great sorrow.
Believe me,
Yours sincerely
(Sgd.) A. L. HADOW, Lt. Col
Com. 1st. Nfld. Regt..


Dec. 10, 1917.
Dear Mrs. BARTLETT,- Long ere this you will have had the sad news of your
son's death. As Rupert and myself were pals, I thought I should write you.
On returning from Newfoundland I met "Pad" (as he was known by everybody in
the regiment) in London. I was very sorry I did not get a chance to go over
and see you so that I could bring him the news. We had a week together and
after we came out we had three days before he went to the line. He was only
two days gone when we got the news of his death.
The regiment were a mile or two behind the line when the Boches counter
attacked; we did not know it until he was on the edge of the village. Of
course it was up to the N. F. L. D. to put a stop to his gallop; we did
this, but at an awful cost. "Pad" led the way over at the head of his men.
Just as they cleared the village sniper got him right through the head. He
was dead before he struck the ground.
BARTLETT is a name of which all Newfoundlanders are proud, but never was
there so much cause as the last few months when your son "Pad" added fresh
laurels to the name. He was a brave soldier and a good man, and it will be
a long time before we are able to fill his place in the regiment.
I offer you and your family my sincerest sympathy, and pray that almighty
God will give you strength to carry your very heavy cross.
I am yours very sincerely
(Sgt.) T. Nangle, C. F.

We hope this helps someone,
Chris and John

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