Recently, I was contacted through my website by a gentleman whose grandfather (Major Lawrence) was the commanding officer of my grandfather who was killed in WWII. The letter he wrote explained the day that my grandfather was injured, and the attempts that were taken to save his life following the bomb that was dropped near him and his men. Maj. Lawrence and many of his men were captured by the Japanese and detained in prisoner of war facility for three years until the war was over. It was at this time that he wrote the following letter. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the letter was returned as my grandmother had moved. The letter was kept in his files for over 75 years, and his grandson – Milton Taylor – was able to finally hand this over to our family this month.
Hartwell
7 Nov 1945Dear Mrs. McCullough,
Letter from Major K. P. H. Lawrence, commanding officer of Sgt. David John McCullough
So many times during the last 3½ long years as a prisoner I have wanted to write to you and now at last I have an opportunity.
Your late husband Sgt. Dave McCullough was to my mind one of the outstanding men of the Unit. His delightful personality, his tact and ability in controlling men and his quiet efficiency, endeared him to all the officers and men of the Unit, the dear old 2/10 Field Company.
When our Sergeant Major was given a Commission in Dec 1941, Dave was the logical choice for his successor and the recommendation for his appointment was on the way when he died. He was as you probably know acting in that position when he was wounded.
I was sitting alongside Dave on a grassy slope, along with another officer and several other members of the company, a few minutes before the shell landed which wounded David, the other officers and several others. I had just got up to walk across the road to inspect another position where some of my men were. The shell landed near my map case and haversack.
Dave was severely wounded in the chest. He was taken to hospital immediately and operated on by the best surgeon (Lt. Col Coates who did such great work in Thailand). He rallied for a while and was given a fighting chance, but the hospital had to be moved, unfortunately, and that probably went against him.
Please accept my poor[1] tribute to a brave soldier and a great man.
I would be grateful if you will let me know there is anything that I can do to help you.
All the officers and men who have come back would join with me in expressing our sincere sympathy, and our grateful thanks to you for your great sacrifice.
Believe me[2].
Yours very sincerely,
Maj. K P H Lawrence
[note 1] consensus is this is "poor" but slightly hard to read
[note 2] hard to read, think this is "believe me" (seems out of context)
The Seymour Telegraph (the local newspaper) did a story on the handover of this letter, and it is referenced here.
Notes:
- Major Keith (Philip Henry) Lawrence, 2/10 Field Company (VX45686)