Much sympathy is felt in Thriplow for Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hagger, who on Friday last received official news to the effect that their eldest son, Leonard Hagger, of the Suffolks, had died in a hospital in France from wounds received while in the trenches on the previous Tuesday. The lieutenant in charge of the company, writing to his mother, says: "Leonard has been in my platoon ever since I took charge of it in 1914, and I have always had the highest appreciation of his good qualities. He has always been very quiet and unassertive, but I have learned to know him as one of the very steadiest, most intelligent, and hardest working men in my platoon. Especially since we have been in France I have formed the very highest opinion of him, and I shall miss him more than I can say."

Mr. and Mrs. Hagger have another son—George—who is in the same company.

MILITARY FUNERAL.—Rifleman Arthur Edward Ison, of the King’s Royal Rifles, who was wounded on the Western front on September23rd last, and died in hospital in the North of England, was laid to rest in the village churchyard Monday last. The remains, covered with the Union Jack, were conveyed by soldiers employed in the the neighbourhood. The principal mourners were the widow and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ison (father and mother) and numerous relations and friends of the deceased. The Rev. A. Robbs (vicar) and the Rev. E. W. Caropenter officiated, and the the Dead March in Saul was played as the cortege left the church. A bugler attended and sounded the "Last Post" at the close of the service. Rifleman Ison, who was 36 years of age, had been in France about 12 months, having joined the Army in April, 1916.

On Thursday week news came from the front that Private Allan Skillings, of the Suffolks, had been mortally wounded in the trenches in France. On the outbreak of war he was in the reserve, and immediately volunteered for active service, proceeding in a few weeks to France.

At St. George’s Church on Sunday evening the vicar, the Rev. H. F. James, feelingly referred to the sad event. He said that he had had the privilege and honour to prepare Allan Skillings for confirmation, and that he proved himself a devout and earnest Churchman. On Saturday morning the widow received the following letter from the sergeant the Company:

“Dear Mrs. Skillings,—it is with deep regret that I write to inform you of your dear husband’s death, which took place on the 22nd of April. He was wounded in the trenches, and everything that was possible was done for him, but unfortunately died before he reached the hospital. We regret very much to lose such a good man out of the company, as he was respected and loved by everyone. Please accept the deepest sympathy of the N.C.O.’s and men of his Company.—H. Mead, sergeant, 2nd Suffolks.”

A memorial service for Pte. Allan Skillings was held on Wednesday morning in St. George's Church. Much sympathy is felt for the widow, who is left with five little children.

THRIPLOW.

Mr. John Softly, postmaster of this village, has received news that his youngest son, Rifleman C. P. Softly, of the London Regiment, was killed in action on April last. Rifleman Softly joined the Army on March 8th, 1916, and was sent to the front in July. He was 32 years of age, and was well knomn in the neighbourhood, and much respected. Much sympathy is felt for Mr. Softly and his family.