Rushden Argus, 17th December 1915, transcribed by Kay Collins
A Stray Bullet - Irchester Private Killed in France
Private Fred Brudenell, of Irchester, of the 6th Northants, was killed in France on November 26th. He was 23 years of age, and leaves a widow and two children. He joined Kitchener's Army after the outbreak of the war. Colonel Ripley wrote to the widow to say, how sorry he was for her, and that Brudenell was killed when coming off sentry duty between the lines. Lieut. Arnold also sent the following letter to the widow:- "6th Battalion Northampton Regt., B.E.F., France. 2nd December, 1915. Dear Mrs BrudenellAlthough you will doubtless have already heard from Colonel Ripley, I feel I must also send you a short note to express my deepest sympathy with you in your deep trouble. Your husband was a member of my own platoon, and from what I saw of him I always found him a most keen and reliable soldier, and one in whom I could place full confidence. He was killed about midnight on November 26th by a stray bullet, which hit him in the head and caused instantaneous and painless death. He was buried on the 27th. November at 3 p.m., in the presence of his comrades, Colonel Ripley, his company commander, and myself. His grave is in a little military cemetery near the front line, and he lies near other French and English comrades who have given their lives for their country. . . . I am, yours very truly, John F. Arnold, lieutenant."
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