Letter of condolence, Major Hogg, Company Commander, KOSB. James Byron Collection

Local soldier Corporal James Byron served with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers, and was awarded a military Medal for bravery. He was killed in action on 23 April 1945. Just two weeks later Germany surrendered.   This letter to Mrs Mary Warwick is from Major D O Hogg, who served alongside James Byron in the KSOB. In the letter he expresses deepest sympathy for the loss of her son and pays tribute to this gallant soldier.   Extract: "A finer laddie to have in a tight corner you couldn't find and he and I have seen so many actions together. I was with him when he won his MM and he was outstanding, so brave, so cool, so cheerful. In the last action we were in, James was as usual in the thick of it, mercifully he never knew what hit him as he was killed instantaneously and suffered no pain."