Dear Mrs. Gray:
Before this time you have probably heard from our Militia Dept. or the War Office London, about the death in action, on June 3rd [?] of A-4092 Private C.R. Gray 3rd Canadian Battalion.
The funeral was conducted by me at 4.30pm on the following Monday June 5th. Private Gray was buried in the same grave with another man of his platoon, Private W.H. Gate. Both men were killed by a shrapnel shell which burst close to their platoon as it was on the way to the trenches. The officer in charge of the party was killed at the same time, death in all three cases being instantaneous.
The battalion was represented at the funeral by both officers and men, and the grave is in a cemetery, some miles from the firing line where there is hardly any possibility of damage being caused by hostile shelling.
The personal belongings of Private Gray will be sent to you through our Pay & Record Office, London.
I am sorry to write such sad and melancholy news, but I feel sure you will be grateful to know that we extended to your son, (and I promise he was) whatever honor and respect were possible under active service conditions. These are the men who do the real work of this great war and stand to the last between civilization as we know and value it, and that which would take its place if our enemy should prevail. However, we know that, with such men behind our guns and rifles, our Cause is bound to triumph at last.
Yours very Truly
T.I. Warner, Capt.
Anglican Chaplain 1st Canadian Infantry Bgde.