12 Charleville Circus
Sydenham SE
May 1st 1916
My dearest Father
I have written to Kathleen and hope to be with you tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest. In the meantime, just a line to send my deepest sympathy, for while her children will miss her very sadly, Mother’s loss must be even more of a blow to you. I hope you will not grieve too much for she seems to have passed away very peacefully, and painlessly, and we may look forward with confidence to a joyful meeting at the last great day.
I was so thankful that I was able to be with her so recently. It will always be a joy to me to remember we spent her last Easter on earth together. I quite realised that her state of health was very precarious and that she might not live to see another Easter. I hoped however that she might have lived through the summer and perhaps picked up strength a little.
The letter I wrote to her yesterday I expect arrived this afternoon. I must have been writing at the very moment she passed away.
I do hope Arthur and George may be able to get leave to attend the funeral. Mela will have to represent Cyril.
With much love
Your affectionate son
John D Sladden
