Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-11-05
MORE HONORS COME
TO SIMON D. HAY;
Wins BAR AT FRONT
OTTAWA BOY UNDER SHELL FIRE
ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY SINCE
JUNE, WINS LlEUTENANT'S
COMM SsiON.

Simon De Lagneau Hay the only
Ottawa boy who has been decorated
by the British government for distin-
guished service, has been given his
straps. and is now a full fedged sec
0nd lieutenant. Contrary to regular
rules OF the soldiers game, Lieut.. Hay
vas presented his commission while
in active duty at the front, instead of
at the close Of an officers training
school
In two very interesting letters.
Lieut.. Hay tells OF being presented
with his Victoria cross. and with his
commission. He did not mention his
decoration untiI This relatives here
had read OF 1t in the Chicago papers,
and wrote asking him about it. In
his letter with the spirit of a true
hero. he declares he did not deserve
the decoration any more than every
other member Of the company did,
and said he would rather it had been
q ribbon presented to his entire com.
pany
He briefly mentions having his chin
burned by mustard gas, which causes
his friends to believe he has success.
fully passed through a gas attack
Lieut. Hay is we'll known in this
city, and resides with his aunts, the
Misses Leah, Emma and Alice De
Lagneau, on the north bluff
He also sent note to his aunt,
written on German field card. which
he captured in raided German
trench
October 9Th.
Dear Family:
Just word or two to let YOU know
that | received your letters, and with
the exception of being dead tired |
am still very much alive.
( You write me such good newsy let
/ ters that | fell ashamed for not writ
ing you longer and better letters. But
! can hardly do any better, first be
cause just as soon as start giving
you real news I'll most likely be tell
ing you something | should not. Sec
ondly, We have all been so busy thai
we are lucky to get a little rest, lei
alone doing anything else.
The other day went over the tor
again. this is the second time for me
and for a few days, since then W,
have been working very, very hard
= We are keeping the old cuss busy.
! | was promoted to second lieu
tenant a few days. ago, and it hap
; pened right here at the front, on tn
battle field of one of the most memol
able spots of this war.
Contrary to general orders that al
men must go to officers trainin
school, got mine right straight fror
army headquarters The reason i
: mostly, | guess, because of the afort
said stunt in which took part. How
: ever, | am disappointed, for did hop
: ] might go TO school, it would be
rest, yes, heaven, for with the excel
}, tlon of the time it took us to chang
! sectors, about sixteen days, | hay
) been almost continually under she
fire since the middle of June.
Not long ago couple of us foun
u one OF our nfantrymen sound aslee
VI in what a couple OF hours before W.
Frtas land When We woke him L
he' didn't know whether he was
no mans land in F'ritz's land {
back in our own lines. and, what
more, he didn't seem to care who
lot. This little incident will kind
give you an idea of just how tired
H. fellow can get in this mans war.
N God, but | will be happy when II
is all over with. Love to all. SIM.
Of Written on German Field Card.
IS Oct I, 1918.
Dear Family
This Is one of the German field |,
ters.
The other day we went over {
~ top and by noon had him routed lrc
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