New Britain herald., 1919-01-29

Gun company of the 58th Infantry
and is written extolling the praises
and the deeds of Sergeant Harry Ber-
son, who was killed in action on Oc-
tober s. 1t is also interesting to read
in the letter that a New Britain boy,
when there was but one officer left in
the company, was the right-hand man
of the officer left and helped him
bring his men safely through the bat
tie. New Britain people will be proud
to read the letter, which follows:
"Moselken, Germany,
Dec, IS, 1919.
''Mr. and Mrs. Berson,
NEW Britain. Conn.
My Dear Friends:
Some time ago I sent a letter adj
dressed to s. Hcrson giving details of
the death OF Sergeant Harry Berson,
but it evidently has not been received
| have been waiting for an answer to
my letter in order to dispose of $50
francs belomging to your son. ! will
write you again what / remembe Of
your sons death, for the other letter
may have been lost
The sergeant was killed in Bois de
Fay--a wood west of the Mouse River
near Brieulles-on October 6, 1913.
We We're in a very bad place there, as
the Boche were giving us heavy shell
fire every day. They had fire on us
from front and both TANKS and were
communicating US every day. Our
whole regiment was in Bois de Fay
and had orders to hold it at all costs
Your son was absolutely the coolest
and neTviest man that [ had in the
company. He would volunteer to do
anything. ! usually took him with me
when I went around to visit my differ
emf gun positions, for he was very
intelligent fellow and often helped me
by his good suggestions. On Octo-
Der 4, the Boche put on a strong
counter-attack and came very near
surrounding us. I remember OF your
son doing very good work that day
with q rifle that he had taken from
Il wounded infantryman. On Octo-
her S. one of my officers, Lieutenant
RobY, was killed, and several Of
my non commissioned officers were
wounded. Next day, while standing
in a group Of several men, your son
got Il direct hit by IT nm. shell and
he died instantly.
II cannot tell YOU how sorry I felt
for he was not only a very valuable
man to me, but also Il reuI soldier and
u true gentleman.
'"The late Captain J. r.. Ducksted
CHILLED in hattl@l. of this company,
often spoke 70 me- of his admiration
for Harry and of tho great work he
had done as Il runner In tho Chatea
Thiorry drive last July and also on
the Vesle RtvCr. | was n lieutenant
in command Of u platoon then and
Harry was n runner between the cap
tain'S headquarters and my platoon.
He would carry a message through
any kind of fire, Tho 1rst night we
were on tho Neslc River tho captain
asked me to go out and locate our
front line and to talsu someone with
mo, Harry overheard the conversa-
ton and asFeyl nae to thlsc him along.
I did and we ran into "a patrol al about
II BopheH and had " lively little scrap
for few minutes, We both men-
aged 10 get awaN
''After the Fesle FIGHT I woe the only
officer left In our original com paty.
In The st, Mihiei drive and the drive
In the AI'Fnnne Forest YOUR son was
my right=hend man. Int ended to
send him to the next officers training
camp end I was sure that he weuld
ha*e made 4 good, efficient officer.
"FTis personal belongings that were
turned over to me by 1rst-aif man
contested of 21e francs (eheut SAD,
Il bruxen wrist watch md few
postal cards. The postcards I burned
and I threw away The wrist watch,
FOR it was badly broken. do not
know Just exactly whore he was lrur-
led, but I will find out If possible The
bodies IF ali the mon killed in Bels
de faN were carried to the Wthert
edge Of the wood and were preba bly,
buried there.
NJ know that 1t must he terribly
hard for. YOU 10 lose your boy In this
way and | extend TO you my heartfelt
sympathy. IF there Is any further IN
formation that ! can give you ! VIII
gladly do SO. Please LET me know
Immediately when you receive the en-
closed 2h0 francs and also tell me
whether or not YOU received my for
mer letter.
Very sinceroly,
"T. Il. RODERTCK.
''Captain T 10. Roderick,
I'M. q. Co, 5sth Inf,
american Ex. F."