Parsonage Lavoy May 14th 1917
Dear Mrs Bell,

It was with real sorrow that we learned that Billy had been called upon to make the supreme sacrifice You were very much in our thoughts yesterday where 'Mother's Day" gathered us around Mother and home.

We know your sorrow must be great, and we extend to you and Mr Bell our deepest sympathy. Our hearts go out to you in sincere Christian Love, and we pray the Great Father himself may comfort your hearts.

We honour Billy and the many others who have laid down their lives for the cause of liberty, and we believe their sacrifice cannot be in vain. The honour that is his is doubly yours.

We would not belittle your grief: we feel it is overwhelmingly great, but we trust that the loving sympathy of the community, yea of the empire may help you bear the sorrow.

You may well be proud of a noble Son who died in a noble cause.

May God bless you both and the sons and daughters who are still spared to comfort you in these dark days.

Mrs Ritchie joins me in this expression of sympathy.

Sincerely Yours,

Duncan Ritchie