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became fairly well acquainted so I felt it is my duty to write you any details I may have. It is unnecessary to say that Fred died doing his duty for his King and Country. It is now a month since the attack in which we regained three lines of lost trenches, but the events stand out as clearly as if it were yesterday. We had successfully made the attack and were consolidating our position in case of a counter attack. Several of us were working on building up a trench and Fred was standing on Guard when a shell came through the parapet and burst near him. Death was instantaneous and he felt no pain. If death is our lot this is the way we wish it to come. He was buried back of the trench with several of his comrades who fell. During the heat of the subsequent bombardment I do not know who took the private papers of Fred but I believe it was one of the officers and if so his people have probably received them by this time. This is rather a sordid subject to write up in and must give you pain but I feel it is only right that you should know the details of the case. I might say in conclusion that Fred was very popular and well liked by the platoon for his optimistic qualities. Although the situation out here was very trying at times, he never grumbled but adapted to circumstances like a soldier.
Please accept my sincere sympathy for yourself and give the same myself and section to his people. Yours truly Pte K.S.Fitzwater.
On July 18th, 1916, a letter dealing with Fred's death was written to Miss Pearce by Pte W.H. Fetherstone who had been befriended by Fred who helped him adapt to trench life.
Dear Miss Pearce,
Just a line to you to know about Mr Mirion. I had just come to the Batt. a short time ago and was put in the same section as him and me being a new fellow, he showed me different things about trench life that was useful to me and I kind of took a liking to him, and we were pals up till the day he was killed. I was with him all through the charge and we got into a trench and started to fix it up when , I said" We better get these boards over here and lay them over the top of the trench and put some sand bags on top so we could get under but while I was getting the boards a shell came over and hit him on the head. I fell into the bottom of the trench and pieces of the shell went over my back and just a piece of mud hit me on the back. It made me feel very bad when I crawled over to where he was ; he did not live a minute after he was hit. Well I will close now as that is all, I did not know your address or I would have wrote before. Well good bye and sincerest sympathy I remain. Pte W.H. Fetherstone
The last letter in my files regarding Fred was from a Captain Heakes. The handwritten copy was not dated but an accompanying note reported that Pte Fred Merriam was killed in action June 13, 1916.
The Canadian Scottish B.E.F.
Dear Mr Merriam
The Commanding officer desires me to covey his sincere sympathy on the death of your son Pte, F.C.Merriam. He has always shown himself to be a courageous soldier and was greatly respected by his comrades. His loss to the battalion and especially his platoon will be keenly felt. A. R Heakes Captain.
By Gordon Merriam
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