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Word has been received of the death of Private Osbourne Morgan Lewis, second son of Mrs. And the late Councillor Lewis, Barepot. Deceased was an assistant in the shop of Mr. T.B. Todd before joining H.M. Forces. The sad story of his death is told in the following letter from Lance-Corporal Alf Sydney, of Seaton, which Mrs. Lewis has received:-
Dear Mrs. Lewis,
I am more than sorry to have to write this letter regarding Osbourne, but we both agreed to do it for each other if anything happened, before we went up into the line before the shock, and more than that, I think I knew him better than anyone in our battalion, so it seems to be my duty to tell you as much as I know.
Our battalion was in the first advance on July 1st and Osbourne went out with our headquarters as messenger. We were in a pretty high place, and a lot of our lads went down wounded before we got out of our own front line. Osbourne was among these, but he didn’t seem very seriously wounded, and got down to the first aid post without any help. He was dressed there and sent by motor further down the line to a big clearing hospital. I thought when I saw him last that he would get nicely back to England with his wound, as he was quite cheerful and lively. It must have been more serious, though, as he passed quietly away next morning in hospital, a true British soldier to the last. He was buried in a nice little cemetery near the hospital, very near his own colonel, and along with some more of our heroes from the same day. Everything that could be done for him was done with all possible skill, but God willed that he should be taken, and now he has gone to a better land, where he will be free from all war and strife.
Always bright and cheerful, he was a great favourite with everyone who knew him, and we that are left miss him very much, and mourn with you in your great loss. As soon as possible we are going to look after his grave, and if there is anything I can do for you please let me know, and I shall be only too glad to do it. All his friends here join with me in sending our very deepest sympathy, and it may be some consolation to you to know that he died doing his duty for King and country.
That God may comfort and sustain you in all your great sorrow is the prayer of yours very sincerely, Lance-Corporal Alf Sydney.—Workington Star and Harrington Guardian, Published 14 July 1916.