The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-07-13
Letters From Front
Tell How They Met
Death
CAPT. HELLIWELL
BLOWN TO BITS
Capt. Wilkinson Rend-
ers Distinguished
Service in Battle

Several letters to Windsor people
have been received in recent days
telling more in detail than has been
previously reported, OF the heroic
death of Capt. Helliwell, and of the
deeds OF others lighting in northern
France. in a letter written to his
parents less than two hours before
he fell, Capt. Helliwell, describing
a drum head church service, says
in part:
when the men were asked to
respond to the Lords prayer 1t
seemed that many of them hesitat-
ed when the sentence, Thy will be
done was reached. The knowledge
that we are about to go into battle
brought thought of death to the
majority Of the men, of that | am
sure.
"As we are sitting around the
chaplain, with roar of guns that are
booming death less than two miles
from us, there is much to think
about. try to do my share for the
Master by setting good example
to my men. II | should fall In this
battle, will die with the knowl-
edge that ! have done my duty to
my men and TO the country that !
love"
In another letter, which has just
reached Windsor, the roll-call fol-
lowing the battle of Festuberg is de-
scribed; also the death of Capt. Hell
liwell. The letter runs as follows:
Capt. Helliwell reached the par
apet of the first line Of German
trenches and was about TO leap over
into safety when a high explosive
shell burst directly over his head
All / can say is that the captain dis
appeared. We did not think him
killed, but his body was not found
The conclusion that the majority
OF us came to was Capt Helliwell
was blown to pieces by the shell.
1.-The roll-call of the Windsor com
pany was the most distressing sight
I ever witnessed Out of 100 men
and officers, only Is answered the
call Men at home cannot realize
big fellows with tears raining down
their cheeks, looking for comrades
who did not respond.
mo man could he more game
than Wilkinson. Fellows who saw
him lying on the ground wounded
say that he crawled toward the
German trenches after he had been
twice wounded in the chest and
stomach"
An account of the bravery of an
other officer known in Windsor, Is
contained in letter to Mrs. II. r.
Casgrain from the wife of Capt. II.
F. Walker. Capt. Walker is the
nephew OF Mrs. Casgrain. OF the
captain his wife writes that he has
been granted q three months fur
Tough to recover from wounds re-
ceived at the battle of Ypres. II
will, perhaps. be remembered that
Miss May Davis crossed the ocean
at Christmas time TO become the
captains bride. OF his personal ap-
pearance the latter states that he is
transformed into an apparently old
man, that his hair has turned grey
and that his health has been broken
from hard service and exposure.
Mai. d. r. McCuaig, writing from
a German hospital. In which he Is
slowly recovering from his wounds,
tells In high terms Of Capt. Walk
er's conduct. Cant Walker Is the
son OF Herbert B. Walker. general
manager of the Canadian Bank OF
Commerce. In Montreal. The fam
lily formerly lived in Windsor.
Private Harry Milmine, who was
wounded in the battle OF Festuberg
has since died in hospital in Eng