Communications

Letter from Lt Lanyon OC A Coy


This letter was received from Lt Lanyon his Officer commander of A COY who was not at the battle unfortunately he got the dates wrong my correction in the transposition of the letter.


Lt Lanyon J W. K.S.L.I was later killed on the  26th July 1952  in a tragic accident whilst on active service he was only 23 years old.


Notice: That the letter was written to Georges father and Not his wife!



OC A Coy


1KSLI


BFPO 3


10th June 1951


Dear Mr Yapp


I am writing to you to your letter asking about your sons death his company commander had wished to write himself but he is not out of the line yet.


On the 25th May [*incorrect was the 21st May] our coy was moving forward to attack a high hill about 20 miles south of the 38th parallel on the western front. The hill was heavily held by the enemy and as we moved up a few artillery shells fell on the rear platoon in which your son was leading his section. A piece of shrapnel wounded him behind the right ear. He was evacuated by helicopter but did not regain consciousness before he reached hospital.[*]


It is difficult to sound sincere, but I would like you to know how sorry we are. Your son had served this company very loyally for a long time.


The company Commander had recommended him for further promotion as a section leader here he had shown himself to be a first-class NCO, and we have felt his loss deeply.


The whole company wishes to express its sympathy with you in your son’s great loss.


Yours Sincerely


J W Lanyon


2nd I/C A Coy 1 KSLI.


* my correction George was Killed on 21st May 1951,[*] info later discovered that George passed away hours before the casevac called in  CY



Explicated

Letter  from John Quinn to Georges dad

explicated

 

 


John Quinn's letter translated


                                     


Dear Mr Yapp


The OC of our Coy has just shown me a letter from you to him and after letting me read it as I was a good pal of your son and it was a great shock to me when George passed away, so if you don't mind I will tell you how it happened, we were advancing to attack a pretty big hill which we did take about 3 hours later. There was a lot of noise and obviously a lot of shelling and one dropped about 1 yard  from George, he was transported straight away but God rest his soul he died on the way to hospital he never came to and believe me Mr Yapp he was in no pain. He was well liked in the Coy by all the boys not forgetting the  Coy commander we know had great confidence in him as an NCO and also as a man. He was always telling me of his great pal Bill who must be a good bloke to be a pal of George's and also of his son who I am sure is a great kid, he also told me about his wife but that I know has nothing to do with me. I only hope you don't think I have said to much Mr Yapp if so please forgive me I shall have to close now as duty calls, my kind regards


Yours Faithfully


John Quinn

Letter from Colonel of the K.S.L.I