SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE, WW1
Letter To Mrs. S. P. Kennedy, Dated Aug.11, 1917. Princeton, WVA.
Found in an old trunk at the Flea Market in 1992.
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FROM:
J. F. Kennedy, c/o M.G.Co.
Royal Canadian Regiment
Canadian Contingent, BEF
TO:
Mrs. S. P. Kennedy
Princeton, WVA USA
Aug. 11th, 1917, Somewhere in France
Dear Mother
I just found my letter of July 5th, which I thought I had sent long ago. So this is just a post slip. Please excuse me for neglecting it, but I think I had sent another since but am not sure.
Received yours of July a short time ago and as always it was very welcome along with the ones from Monica and Stephen. You all please write whether you hear from me or not as I haven't always the time but sure do enjoy getting them.
I am very sorry but I did not get the candy, I suppose it went astray. I don't use a great deal of tobacco so won't bother you by having you send me any but I do appreciate the thoughtfulness. You also spoke of a sweater and other things for winter. I sincerely hope I won't have any use for them this winter but you can't tell. Who is organizing the units around there, any one you know? Is there one close that the boys are signing up with? Tell me all about it. I hope Marion is perfectly well by this time.
We are not in the line at present, taking a short rest. I suppose we will go back in a short time. We are billeted in a small town and it is quite a change from what we usually have. I am going to write you again in a few days or so. I will let the rest go until then. Giving my regards to every one with Love for all:
FRED
P.S: For Monica: You tell Myrtle if she doesn't write me more often and comply with my requests I won't come back to Marry her!
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POSTSCRIPT:
Fred never lived to receive his mother's response to this letter home. Pvt. J. Francis Kennedy, #207418 was killed in action when his machine gun position received a direct hit from a large "aerial mine".
Official battle reports list Fred as serving with the Royal Canadian Regiment, British Expeditionary Force, MG section, Co. A. He was assigned as a machine gunner in the area known as "Nun's Alley Trench, Lens Section". He was killed at approximately 3:30pm along with several other members of his crew. He was buried that night on the battlefield.
Although his grave was marked, all signs of his resting-place was obliterated in the ensuing battle. James Frances Kennedy was never recovered and is still "Somewhere In France".