Letters From the Front

Mrs. James Hutchison

Pte. Louis James Henry Nurcombe

Red Deer News Published: July 18, 1917

Pte. Louis James Henry Nurcombe, 117452, served with the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles. He had begun his service with the 12th Canadian Mounted Rifles. His family was in Red Deer, Alberta.

Link to letter home from Pte. Nurcombe - 23 April 1916

Red Deer News, 21 June 1916, pg. 1:

Mrs. James H. Nurcombe has official word from Ottawa that her son, Louis J. H. Nurcombe, Mounted Rifles, was wounded between June 2nd and 5th. Louis left here with the 12th [C.M.R.]. Mr. Nurcombe, the lad's father left with the 66th for the front.

Red Deer News, 17 October 1917, pg. 1:

Pte. Leppard was first wounded by being buried in a trench in June, 1916, for four hours, with Pte. L. Nurcombe. Recovering from this he was again seriously wounded in the right shoulder and left side with shrapnel at Ypres, August 20, 1916, and a piece of shrapnel still remains in his side. He joined on with the 12th C.M.R.'s, and was in the 2nd troop of "C" squadron which has given such a good account of itself on the battle line.

Dated: June 25, 1917

Pte. Lou. Nurcombe Reaches Toronto

Mr. and Mrs. Nurcombe received the following letter regarding their son "Lou" a few days ago, from Montreal. He came on to Toronto and, at last report was still there:

432 Mackay Street,
Montreal
June 25th, 1917

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Nurcombe:
This afternoon I was asked to accompany friends to the Grand Trunk Station, and there meet one of the Hospital trains which bring the dear men home, who have been so gloriously fighting for their country and each one of us.
One of the thirty-one men was your dear son, Louis, of whom you have thought incessantly day after dan for about twenty months. We thank you for having so splendid a boy. He looks and feels "very fit," so cheery, and notwithstanding all he has gone through and parted with, he says from his heart "It's a wonderful life--I would not have missed going for anything. They will fix me up all right."
I will never forget his dear bright face and his heroism and appreciation of all that was done for him in the English hospital, where new friends and his comrades were so delighted to do anything for him. Well, I know how you long to see him and how unutterably thankful and proud you are to know that he has "done his bit" so well, and if all's well, will be with you ere long.
There were many sad cases on the train, but there was no complaining and we all came away with new courage and desire to do all in our power to help. By and by when your son reaches home, will someone be good enough to send ma a postal, that we may know that after battles and struggles and pain and waiting he has found his way home. How you will thank God for having kept him.
I mailed a postal to you from him--he will send you another from Toronto.
I congratulate you heartily on having such a son, and trust you may long be spared to him and he to you.
Yours sincerely,
G. L. HUTCHINSON
(Mrs. James Hutchison)

Transcribed by: M. I. Pirie