Mr. Charles Wilkins, Noddfa House, Penybank, Ammanford, has received two official letters announcing the death of his brother, Gunner Tom Wilkins, R. G. A., who was instantaneously killed in action on September 9^th in France.

Gunner Wilkins was a native of Mountain Ash, and was employed at the Wernos Colliery for nine years, living with his brother at the above address. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him. Deceased has left to mourn a step-mother, living at Bargoed, three brothers and three sisters.

The letters are as follow : —

From Lieut. Albert J. Dennis, R. G. A. : “It grieves me very much to have to inform you of your brother’s death, No. 166191 Gunner Thomas Wilkins. He was instantaneously killed this morning about 11 a.m. whilst performing his duty in assisting to prepare his gun for action. We all thought him a splendid gunner, always cheerful and ready to do whatever he was called upon to perform, and his devotion to duty was a credit to us all.

He was beloved by his action, and is mourned by us all as one of the best comrades we ever had. Please accept our deepest sympathy in your bereavement.”

From Major Blythe, R. A. : “I am deeply grieved to have to inform you of the death of your brother, Gunner T. Wilkins, under the command. He was killed instantly by a shell which burst among several of my men while they were in action. I was a few yards away myself at the time and saw the occurrence, but when we arrived, your brother was beyond aid, and he suffered no pain.

We buried him on the 10^th inst. in a British cemetery. The Rev. C. Secombe, our chaplain, carried out the service, and I have asked our chaplain to write you. No words of mine can tell you what a grief it is to all of us, for he was universally loved, and we mourn the loss of a very good solider.

You will be proud, I know, to hear that he died, as he lived, a most gallant soldier. I would have written before, but the conditions here did not permit me, but if I can be of any further service to you, please