Harrogate Herald - 12th December 1917

Roll of Honour

Mrs Hay, of 26 West Lea Avenue, Harlow Hill, Harrogate, has received a letter from the major of her late husband's regiment, which shows hoe the unfortunate soldier met his death. It is as follows : 

"Dear Mrs Hay, It is with great sorrow that I am writing to tell you of the death of your husband. He was killed at 6am this morning, in the gun pit, by a shell which also killed another man. I am more sorry than I can say to lose him. He was an excellent gunner and a splendid soldier. Death must have been instantaneous, so that he could have suffered no pain. We are all very sorry for you in your great trouble, and hope you will take comfort in the thought that he died doing his duty to his country. I am sending his body to the waggon line tomorrow; from where it will be sent to the cemetery for burial.". 

Gunner C Gordon Hay joined the Army in March, 1915, and had been out in France two years. He leaves a wife and five young children.

SDGW

Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery

Gnr Charles Gordon Hay (L/12221)

Born : Tipperary

Enlisted : York

Died : 30th November 1917

Killed in Action  :  France and Flanders