_Dear Madam_: In answer to your inquiry by telegram, I regret to inform you that Rifleman Stubbs, B. C. No. 2655, was wounded by shell fire on Tuesday, June 22, and has, we are deeply sorry to say, since passed away, having succumbed to his injuries. His death is much lamented by his officers and comrades, two of whom were wounded by the same shell, one rather seriously. Deeply sympathizing with you in your terrible loss, I am, Yours sincerely, No. 66, M. BROWN, Co. Q. M. S. BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE June 29, 1915 DEAR MRS. STUBBS: This is to convey to you my sincere sympathy in the death of your son, Pr. Stubbs, who died from wounds received last Tuesday. His death was most unfortunate, a large German shell falling right in our trench, severely wounding your son and two others; when I saw your son’s wound (a severe gash on the scalp), I was sure that there was very little hope of his recovery and I was surprised that he survived so long. Mercifully he was quite unconscious all the time, and so, I think, suffered no pain. Although he did not come out with the battalion in November, he joined, I think, with the first draft and so has been through all the heavy work we have done. I am sure you will be glad to know what a good soldier he was, and that he was always cheerful and did his work well during the hardships of the winter months. You may be sure his loss will be felt very deeply both by myself and by the rest of the platoon. But take comfort in this, that he died a noble soldier’s death in a magnificent cause. Again assuring you of my deep sympathy, I am, Yours very sincerely, P. S. HOUGHTON, 2nd. Lt. O. C. No. 8 Platoon, Q. V. R. Never the lotus closes, never the wild fowl wake, But a soul goes out on the East-wind that died for England’s sake-- Man or woman or suckling, mother or bride or maid-- Because on the bones of the English the English Flag is stayed. RUDYARD KIPLING PRINTED BY R. R. DONNELLEY AND SONS COMPANY, AT THE LAKESIDE PRESS: CHICAGO TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: Text in italics is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Diary Kept by Rifleman B.C. Stubbs of the Second Draft Sent to the Queen Vi, by Bernard Castle Stubbs