Letter From Gertrude Smith 1944

ORMLIE,
NAPIER

5.3.44

My dear Constance

Thanks you so much for your most sympathetic letter & the very kind things you said about our Darling. Ian has been a wonderful Son & Brother, so sweet & considerate to both old and young. I remember so well reading on a tombstone where we were in France “ Only those are fit to live who are not afraid to die” –

This certainly applies to all those brave men who are fighting for us. At times ones grief feels overwhelming, Ian so loved life, his love for every flower was just like the dear old Dad – But one has to pull ones self together & realize that others have probably not got the four devoted daughters we have got.  I am so looking forward to seeing your family next week. Thanking you once again.

Yrs affectionately

Gertrude Smith

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Description

Letter from Gertrude Smith to Mollie Nelson on the death of her son, Ian Hector Ross Smith, who died 1 September 1943 in World War 2

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Handwritten letter

Date published

5 March 1944

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Accession number

369602

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