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Date: August 31st 1923
To
Relatives of H.W. Ellis
From
Gwen Fisk
Letter

Aug 31, 1923

To the relatives of H.W.Ellis,

I think that the above named was killed in action at the same time as my son W.A. Fisk whom he survived half an hour at any rate both are buried side by side for the same date.

I went to Villers-au-bois in July 1921 I took these snapshots. I have since thought you would like to see how beautifully the Canadian part of the cemetery is kept. They have planted rows of different flowers at the base of the crosses, pinks, pansies, sweet williams, marigolds, etc. & the piece Fenclase is what grows at the foot of our crosses, it has a small white blossom. It was a very dry summer other wise the spaces between the rows would have been all grassed over.

You will see the number of row I plot in photo no 1. I try placing No 1 & 2 together a good general idea of the scene is obtained. I was sorry not to have photographed the bare crosses. at those times it is difficult to think & our time was limited.

I also enclose a poem which exactly describes the scene. A friend tells me that the battlefields this year are a mass of poppies bright scarlet. The place is not far from Vimy Ridge I should say about three miles or so. The military authorities are kindly posting these for me, & I hope it will comfort you to know that though your brave boy lies so far away, the spot is not uncared for.

Yours faithfully,
Gwen Fisk

Original Scans

Original Scans