R.M.S. Metagama
10.30 A M. May 12th 1917
Off the North Coast of Ireland
Some 100 Miles

[addressed to:
“Mrs. Janet Kerr
Elmvale Ontario
Mother of Pte D.W. Kerr, No 853573
177.^th O.S. Bⁿ”]

Dear Madam

It is my sad duty to write you concerning the last days of this mortal life of your boy and our comrade in arms, Pte D.W. Kerr. The cable has already announced to you the sad fact of your beloved son’s death which took place very suddenly yesterday afternoon at about twenty minutes after two o clock. – We have just committed his body to the deep under most impressive circumstances. It became my mournful privilege as Chaplain on board ship to conduct the last sad rites. His body was wrapped in the folds of the flag which he loved and to defend which he had put on the King’s uniform and given up life itself. His body was lowered over the after rail of our ship as we read the service which committed his body to the deep and his spirit to the loving Father and Saviour Jesus Christ. Beside me stood his Commanding Officer, Lieut. Col. M^cPhee and the staff of the [page break with “buried” written below end of last line, date/author unknown] battalion.

As he was an Orangeman like myself we had with us various leading members of the Orange order, Paymaster Hart – M.L.A. for East Simcoe – Paymaster MacLean of my own 235^th Battalion who is the Grand Master of the Eastern Ontario division of Orangemen, etc. All the Orangemen on board were also present in a body – His own battalion Company were also present as company – And all the soldiers on board were present in great masses to show their respect and sorrow for their comrade who had been called to answer the last great call of our Great Commander and Lord. – As we are now in the midst of the submarine danger zone our ship kept on her way during the service. The day was warm and bright – The sea was subdued as if in mute sympathy with the solemnity of the occasion. Reverently we proceeded with the service arranged for the burial of the dead at sea. Tenderly strong hands lowered his body and we committed the mortal remains to the deep until the day when the sea gives up her dead. – Then from the gun deck out over the stern waters and the far heaving sea the bugle sounded the sublime notes of the “Last Post.”

He felt poorly for some days and was taken to the hospital about three days ago now. – He was given careful attention – It was my privilege to visit him there in my round of duties in calling upon the sick – but no one expected any danger. But yesterday he sank suddenly with heart failure and passed peacefully into the presence of His Maker.

We wish to convey to you his Mother and all other of his relatives our sincere sympathy and sorrow in these hours – You have your hope in God and also you have as your great stay and support the knowledge that your son has done his duty to King and country and his God. Our prayer is that God’s all sufficient grace may sustain you and enable you to say “the Will of the Lord be done.”

Yours respectfully.
W.G. Clarke Captain
Chaplain 235^th OS. Bn

P.S. My address when home is Bowmanville Ont.