Places > Book of remembrance for Tweeddale > Landward Parishes

102
County of Peebles Book of Remembrance
only add that I have lost a great friend and
a very gallant comrade."
From the Eev. W. P. Young, Chaplain. 9th
September, 1917: —
" I joined the battalion as chaplain on
Friday, and the first news I got was _ that
your son had been killed the night before.
I knew him at Eipon when he was there,
and I knew friends of his at Schoolboy
Camps. He was a fine boy, and he had
done well out here. One of the men in his
letter home to-day, says how sorry they all
are to lose their oflBcer, as fine a one as ever
they had.
I have been out myself as a combatant,
and I personally have learnt in the war
only a very strong and sure belief that
death is only the entrance to fuller and
better life, and I have no thought else of a
fine boy like your son ; but I know what a
grief it must be to you, and a sense of loss
you must have. This, hardest for those at
home.
His captain is writing you fully of the
details, which I dont know through arriv-
ing only the day after, but may I send you
my own, and the sympathy of all the ofiicers
here who knew him."
. . . . One of quiet mould
Gazed long at those school chronicles that
told
Of honours that the stately school had known.
He read the names, and wondered if his own
Would ever grace the walls in letters bold.
He knew not that he for the School would
gain
A greater honour with a higher price —
That, no long years of work, but bitter pain
And his rich life, he was to sacrifice-
Not in a University's grey peace.
But on the Battlefield his earthly life would
cease.
SAPPER NORMAIT ROLF SHIELLS
(Innerleithkn and Australia)
1st Australian Tunnelling Compantt.
1917. September 14.
Killed in action in France on Friday, the
14th September, 1917, Sapper Norman Rolf
Shicllci, Australian Contingent, beloved son of
Mr and Mrs Gilbert vShiells, Mima, Austra-
lia, lato of Innerleithen,
He enlisted in May, 1916, sailed from Mel-
bourne on the 25th October, 1916, and was
killed on the 14th September, 1917, at Ypres,
and was buried there. He was born at Hob-
art, Tasmania, in the year 1896. He was only
aged four years when the family came to live
at New South Wales, and was twenty years
and nine months old when he fell. Before
enlisting he worked in the coal mines, and
was well respected by all who knew him. He
had never been away from home before join-
ing the army, and was the youngest of the
family. He was of a bright and happy dis-
position, always " singing very loudly of his
home and people." Wherever he went he was
ever well liked. His chum who buried his
body paid a visit to his parents, telling them
that Norman never shirked his duty, and was
every ready to do a good turn for anyone.
He lived an honourable and clean life while
abroad.
War is declared in Britain, such is the news
and true;
Now that the Mother's smitten, what will her
litters do?
Volunteers, all come forward, stand to your
arms like men.
Let the Germans know that where'er they go.
If at home, or here, they will meet their foe
When they come to the Mother's den.
The soldier said, as he lay a-dying,
"I am content.
Send word to my mother who lives in the
town.
And to my beloved who dwells in a cot.
So they may join hands and pray for my
soui."
The soldier is dead. His sweetheart and
mother
Have joined tlieir hands, and prayed for his
soiil:
'J'hey digged his grave on the field of the
battle:
The earth where they hud him was reddened
with blood:
And the sun said, as he witnessed the nccno,
" I too am content."
Tlie flowers have grown on his grave,
Each flower contented to blossom,
(From the French).