Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Rorie, Royal Army Medical Corps, to Helen McKie, 29 April 1917

Helen was the sister of Second Lieutenant Douglas McKie who was killed during the Battle of Arras (1917) while serving with the 27th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. Rorie's letter states:

'Dear Madam,

I regret that I can give you no further particulars regarding the death of your brother Sec Lt DH McKie of the 27th Northumberland Fusiliers. He was dead when he was brought into my most advanced Aid Post. It is possible that he was dressed by a Regimental Medical Officer before he was brought in, but by whom it is impossible to say. I am very sorry indeed that I cannot give any such information as you most naturally desire.

Believe me

D. Rorie Lt Col

O.C. 1/2 H.F.A.'

From a bound scrapbook containing letters and photographs relating to the life of Douglas Hamlin McKie, Artists' Rifles and Northumberland Fusiliers.