John Kinross

21/3/15.
Dear Sir,
It is with very deep regret that I am writing to you to tell you of the death of your son Corpl. Kinross. It happened this morning in the trenches. He was improving some head cover when a bullet came through the parapet and struck him on the head.
He lingered for two hours, happily unconscious, so did not suffer any pain.
The sympathy of the whole Company is with you -- he was very popular -- I personally, feel his loss greatly, as he was one of those men, one could always rely upon.
I know few men who were cooler than he was in a tight place, and we have been in some of them together.
I am sending you a parcel containing his effects. Kindly let me know that it reaches you safely.
Yours very truly,
H.A.H. Newington, Lieut.,
O.C. B Company,
London Scottish

In the Field,
22nd March, 1915.
Dear Mr Kinross,
I believe that Lieut. Newington wrote and told you the terrible news about your son John,--but his letter would probably only be an official message, whereas I write to you as one who has lost his greatest friend,--I can hardly yet realize that he has gone. John and I were very, very close friends, and had gone through everything together, starting the first night in the same advanced trench at Messines, and from that time we shared everything, beds, smokes, leaves, etc., and any jobs that were going. When they made me an officer just lately I lost sight of him a bit, but we always used to chat when we met, and he often came round to my billet with other friends, and we would have a smoke and chat together. I went down to the trenches in the evening to help bring his body back, and we took him down to the dressing station, and it was an honour to me to help carry the stretcher. I arranged for the burial in a little soldiers' cemetery, which one of the regiments out here has bought, and where all the soldiers who have fallen in the fighting round here are buried,--it is beautifully kept, and each grave has a cross and a little name plate. I have ordered a little brass one for John, with the details on it, and have arranged to have the grave photographed and the cemetery as well. The Chaplains read the service, and Sergt.-Piper Gray, the Doctor, and myself, Sergt. Cundell, and Lance-Corpl. Green, of his Company attended as mourners. The whole regiment would have liked to come (but we were in the trenches) as everyone was very proud of him. He was a boy absolutely devoid of fear, always cheerful, and his example was a great help to everyone around him. I can speak very feelingly about this, as I have never known him depressed under any circumstances. All his papers and effects were given to me and I have them now.
I have also got his bonnet which he was wearing when shot, and the bullet holes are in it. Would you care for me to send it to you? or if you think it is too ghastly, I would send his cap and badge alone. I cut off 6 buttons from his tunic and his Corporal's stripes from his jacket, and will send these home to you, or his sisters, if you would like them. He had also bought a little silver brooch, London Scottish Crest, for his sister Dora. This I will also forward to you.
Please write and ask me any more questions you like, or his sisters would like to know, and I will try and answer them. It will not be troubling me as he was my great friend, and it was a friendship cemented by conditions and hardships of the firing line.
With all my sympathy to you in the loss of a noble son, and to his sisters in the loss of such a brother.
F.A.J. Macfarlane, 2nd Lieut.¹¹

Kinross John of Town Farm Stanwell Middlesex was killed in action 21 March 1915. Administration London 8 May to John Kinross esquire. Effects £522 9s.¹²