My Best and Only Chum

The reality of wartime events a hundred and more year’s past may fade but a letter written in 1915 provides a profound reminder of tragedy and sadness that occurred on the battlefields of World War I. Raymond Saunders of Hebron, Yarmouth Co., Nova Scotia enlisted at the age of 16. He served as a Gunner/Driver of an artillery piece drawn by four horses. During the Battle of St. Julian, he was severely wounded on April 24 and died from wounds on April 25, 1915. A letter from Colin Campbell of Weymouth, Nova Scotia, to Raymond’s father would provide the details of Raymond’s injury and death. “He had a shroud and coffin and was buried in the cemetery of that town. Although we had quite a time to get a cross to mark his resting place, we found a wheeler’s shop and I made a nice one myself on which I painted his name, date of birth and birthplace. With me was Gunner O.B. McNeil, of Hebron, NS and Gunner Charles Emin of Yarmouth. We had prayers over his resting place and made arrangements to have it put in as nice shape as possible.” Read the full story and letter at: http://wartimeheritage.com/whawwi/whawwi_saunders_raymond.htm