24 York St.
Bamer St.
London W.
1st July 16
Dear Mr. Mackenzie,
Thank you so much for your very kind letter. I was stunned at first, but now I realize that Jon was splendid & that is really all that matters - he was the best Member in the Dept. He was hit in the head by a sniper & killed instantly, he did not suffer. He was just getting his commission in the R.F. T of the Imperial Army - "He is [?] dead of all dead tho the house of him seems", just gone to work in another sphere - he was a good boy & never gave [?] a parent's anxiety, & so I have a beautiful memory of him - & I have had dozens of letters, all speaking in the very highest terms of him. His earliest training lay in your hands, & I must thank you for the large part you played in the formation of his character, for character is really all that matters - all we take over with us at the last. It will be very nice to have a memorial, an example to all those in years to come of the great principle - "Those who lose their lives shall find them" - Jon was just starting his fourth & last year in the Yarrow Shops at Victoria B.C. he was a very fine mechanic.
Again thanking you & Mrs. Mackenzie for your very kind thoughts of me in my great [?] & with kindest regards,
Very Sincerely,
Marguerite Kinloch