Tom Sweeney
No. 401307, 12th Plat.,
C Coy., 58th Batt.
“..and his dying words “Tom, write home”, will always remain in my memory” Tom Sweeney, France 16 July 1916
Dear Mrs. Render:-
Excuse me not writing before but not having any time before I now take the opportunity and it was poor Fred’s wish that I should do so. We were both side by side when he fell dying, and he died a hero to the last. Fred was always jolly and a good mate to me. I can assure you I miss him very much for we stuck tighter together out here than ever we did and his dying words “Tom, write home”, will always remain in my memory. But I can assure you he died a happy with a smile on his face. He passed away on the 9th of July, 1916. We buried him on the 10th in a beautiful and quiant little grave-yard, not far from where he fell. Anyone can see his grave after the war. A plain wood cross you will see and inscribed on it, No. 401331, Pte. F. Render, 58th Batt., C. E. F., killed in action, R. I. P.
My sympathy is with you and the children in you bereavement. Thank God he died a hero to the last, fighting like a soldier and a man that for that noble cause that so many heroes like himself have died for.
So dear Mrs. Render and children Good-night and God bless you all is the sincere prayer of your old friend,
T. SWEENEY
No. 401307, 12th Plat.,
C Coy., 58th Batt.,
C. E. F., France
June 16, 1916
Sweeney Collection Letter 1 1916 | Letter 2 16 July 1916
St. Mary’s Journal Argus 1916
The last words of Pte. Fred Render of St. Marys to his chum, Thos. Sweeney, also of St. Marys, as he lay dying on the battlefield in France, were, “Tom, write home”, and above is Mr. Sweeney’s letter to the widow, Mrs. Render, Water St., St. Marys.