July 28th killed in action Belgium. Gerald King Coldstream Guards.
Formerly of Lowden Chippenham aged 26
Wilts Times 18 August 1917
Mr and Mrs King, formerly of Lowden Chippenham wish to thank all kind
friends for sympathy expressed to them in their recent sad bereavement.
5 Market Place, Warminster
Wilts Times 18 August 1917
In Honours Name
Mr and Mrs King well known residents of Lowden have received the sad
intelligence of the death at the front of their son Pte G King of the
Coldstream Guards.
Writing to the parents, C-S-M. J Gornall states: - Pte King was my
servant or batman as we say. We were digging quite close together when a
shell burst very close to us. Your son was struck with a piece. I saw it
myself. Death was instantaneous, there was no suffering, which is a mercy.
He was very much liked by his officers and comrades, which shows that he
always did his work well and pleasantly. He went to the sacrament on the
Sunday before going to the trenches. That too says a lot, I think.
Capt Dorrian of the same regiment also writes expressing his regrets
and adds:- Pte King, poor fellow, was killed in action during the last
battle of Ypres. All the men and myself will miss him. He was one of the
finest soldiers we had and a great personal friend of mine. My sympathies
are with you. The food parcel received from you has been given to his
pals.
Wilts Times 18 Aug 1917
In loving memory of Gerald (15458 Pte G King) Coldstream Guards killed
in action 28th July at Boesinghe, Belgium.
Dear brother thou art called away
And I am left to mourn:
I will not forget the happy days
When you and I were young.
But now the days are gone dear heart.
And your memory from me shall not part
Oh wait for me, my brother dear,
On resurrection day.
From his sorrowing brother Chris, somewhere in France.
Wilts Times 25 August 1917
In loving memory of 15458 Pte G King (Gerald) 3rd Batt Coldstream
Guards killed in action at Bossinghe, Belgium 28th May 1917
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest,
And he said to me, these are they which
Came out of great retribution, and have
And washed their robes, and made them
White in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev VII, 4)
Ever remembered by his loving brother, Chris, France
Wilts Times 27 July 1918