246 sportsmen Parsons in Peace and War 



a wonderful man and a great soldier, and had he survived he 

 must have attained high command." 



All remarked upon his contempt of danger. One evening he 

 was sitting on the ground of another Colonel's dug-out reading 

 his prayer-book, when a piece of shell landed between him and 

 his friend, striking his water-bottle. He went on reading just 

 the same without moving, somewhat to his friend's surprise. 

 A sergeant accounts for this coolness in a letter to the vicar of 

 St. Mary's, Westerham. 



" Dear Sir, 



" Having seen a photograph and a notice of the 

 late Lieut. -Colonel Beresford in the daily press and learnt with 

 deep regret of his death, I cannot refrain from sending to his 

 vicar the tribute of one who had the honour to serve under him 

 as a non-commissioned officer and who loved and respe^ied him 

 a-; a gallant Christian gentleman. 



" A nobler or better man it would be impossible to find 

 among many good and noble men. A soldier every inch. I 

 have heard the men discussing his coolness under fire say, ' It 

 is his religion that makes him like that.' That is indeed a 

 tribute from men who themselves gave very little thought to 

 religious matters at that time. 



" When he was gassed at Loos in 1915 he was back to the 

 regiment within a week, and I was present at a Celebration of 

 Holy Communion at which he officiated, though hardly able to 

 speak. 



" The welfare of his men was ever near his heart. I do not 

 think he ever thought about himself. 



" Trusting that you will not consider this letter an intrusion 

 on your own grief, 



" I am, sir, 



" Yours very faithfully, 



" Harold Keen. 

 " Lately Coy. Q.M.Sgt., 



" l/3rd London Regiment." 



The King sent a letter of sjTnpathy to Miss Beresford. 

 dated January 25, 1918. 



A correspondent sent the following to one of the daily papers, 

 referring to Colonel Beresford : 



