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Copy of letter from Major-General Lipsett, C.M.G., etc., etc.

To Lieut-Colonel W.J.H. Holmes, D.S.O., Commanding 48th Battalion (3rd Pioneers), B.E.F., France.

21st May, 1917.

My dear Holmes:–

On the breaking up of the 3rd Canadian Pioneer Battalion I wish to express my appreciation of the good service the Battalion has rendered during all the time it has served with me in the 3rd. Canadian Division.

The work of the Battalion before and during the operations in the Ypres Salient in June, 1916 was very good, as were also its services during the operations on the Somme and the Vimy Ridge.

The Battalion has always worked hard and with a good spirit no matter how dangerous the places the men had to work in.

I need hardly write that I am very sorry to lose the battalion from my command, for I feel not only that I am losing an excellent Battalion which has always done its duty well, and of which you have every reason to feel proud, but I also feel that I am parting with a number of good loyal friends.

Yours sincerely,

(Sgd.) J.L. Lipsett.

BC Archives, MS-1901 Box 1 File 7 / RUSSELL, Alma M., 1873 - 1964. Victoria; librarian. / Selected letters to and from Lieutenant-Colonel William Josiah Hartley Holmes, 1917.