Please do not think of answering this.
I remain,
Yours sincerely,
Manvers.
(From Brigadier-General Farmar, C.B., C.M.G.)
Headquarters, 2nd Army.
March 20th, 1915.
My dear Mrs. Laurie,
I cannot tell you how shocked I was to hear the dreadful news: only to-night; but you at home must have heard of it days ago. B——'s letter was my first intimation. Somehow it came absolutely unexpectedly: of course, one lives in the middle of these awful sights and happenings, but he was so strong and so full of energy that it seemed unbelievable that he should be taken. He has been a friend of mine, and a very real one, for a good many years now. I saw him not long ago. He would have been sure to have got a Brigade soon if this terrible thing had not happened. I have heard no details, but will try and find out and tell you: unfortunately, his battalion is right at the other end of the line to where we are, but if I can get down I will. Dear Mrs. Laurie, I do feel for you most deeply, and my own loss of a friend as well. If there is anything I can do, it would be a kindness to ask me, and a relief to do something for you.
Yours very sincerely,
Jaspar Farmar.
(From Colonel Anderson.)
Headquarters, 8th Division.
March 22nd, 1915.