News has come to hand that Private W. E. Wilson, who lodged with Mrs. Williams, of 12 Flower street, Essendon, and who has been at the front for the past 12 months, died of wounds in France on 6th August. He was 19 years of age, and for two years had been engaged as a letter carrier at the Essendon Post Office. His parents are deceased, and his sister is Mrs. E. Perrett, of Camperdown.

ROLL OF HONOR. (1916, October 26). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 3 Edition: Morning. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74594560         

FOR  HIS COUNTRY.

The following letter, written by Sister M. Aitken, of the Territorial Force Nursing Service, France, refers to the death of Private W. E. Wilson, and was addressed to the soldier's sister, Mrs. Perrett, of Camperdown. Private Wilson was employed at the Essendon Post Office, as letter carrier:

3rd Casualty Clearing Station,

B. E. T.. France. 6/8/16.

My Dear Mrs. Perrett,

Your brother, Pte. W. E. Wilson, 1572, 24th Battalion, A.I.F., has asked me to write to you. I regret very much to be the bearer of very bad news for you. He was admitted into hospital late last night, suffering from severe abdominal wounds. His condition was very serious, and the medical officer gave us no hope of saving him. We all did our best for him, but he gradually got worse, and died this forenoon at 10. He was a splendid patient, so good and so brave, and was always thinking he would be such a trouble to us. He was so pleased when I said I would write you, and sent his fondest love to you, and told me most specially to tell you not to worry about him. He had done his bit and died quietly and nobly.

The end was peace, and his face after death was so calm and restful, a look of happy content seemed there. Rest assured be had every comfort here and nothing more could have been done. It is very, very hard to have one's loved ones so far away at the end, and my heart ached for you all. No words of mine could give you the slightest comfort in your great sorrow, but please accept my sincerest sympathy and admiration for your brave soldier brother.

The funeral will be a military one. The cemetery is reserved for British officers and men, and is well taken care of by our soldiers. Should you wish to know all particulars about the place and position of the grave, you could write to the chaplain of the Church to which your brother belonged, and he will tell you exactly and much better and more accurately than I could. The cemetery is quite near here, and I often visit it. The same address as is at the top of this letter will do. It will always be a little comfort to you to know where he lies buried.

With kind regards, I remain, yours sincerely,

(Sister) M AITKEN.

FOR HIS COUNTRY. (1916, November 2). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 6 Edition: Morning.. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74600650