Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais

Commemorated on Halkett Place Primary School Memorial, Jersey

NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Friday 28 April 1916

The Late Rifleman Bree. The following letter received by the parents of the late Rifleman A Bree of the Jersey Company Royal Irish Rifles from Captain L Ogier, Adjutant of the Town Battalion is, we feel sure, an expression of the feelings of all of the officers and men of the Battalion. It reads "Town Arsenal, Jersey. 24 April 1916. Dear Mr & Mrs Bree, Will you please accept my deepest sympathy in the great loss you have sustained by the death of your son. Always bright and keen he was much liked and respected in the Town Battalion and I feel sure that my sincere regret at his early end is shared by all ranks of the Battalion. Words I know cannot comfort you in your grief but the fact of his falling in the service of his King and Country must be a source of pride and consolation to you. He did his duty nobly and by volunteering for service abroad set a fine example which I trust may be followed by many other young fellows in the near future. With renewed sympathy believe me yours sincerely L OGIER, Captain & Adjutant 3rd Battalion RMIJ."

Rifleman Arthur Bree
7th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
16/04/1916

1914-15 Star

Born at Bristol. Resident of St Helier, Jersey. Son of Elias & Annie Bree.

Killed in action, aged 23 years.

NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Monday 24 April 1916

First Jersey Rifleman to be Killed in Action. We regret to state that news has been received in Jersey that one of the Riflemen of D Company Royal Irish Rifles has laid down his life on the field of honour. The soldier, Rifleman Arthur Bree, son of Mr & Mrs E Bree of 2 Payn Street, was at the outbreak of hostilities employed by Eastmans of York Street. He joined the Jersey Company Royal Irish Rifles and proceeded with them to France. Letters have recently been received from Rifleman Bree stating that he was in the best of health so his parents were prostrated with grief on Saturday last to receive the following letter from Acting Sergeant Major Whittle of the Jersey Company. The letter reads "France. 16 April 1916. Dear Mr & Mrs Bree, I wish to convey on behalf of myself, the NCOs and men of the Jersey Company our sincere sympathy in the loss of your son Arthur who was killed in action on the evening of 16th inst. He was highly respected by all ranks and exceedingly popular, which makes his loss all the more keenly felt. He died truly a soldiers death and was buried just behind the British lines, the ceremony being watched by a few of his comrades. Again, tendering our sincerest sympathy, believe me to remain yours sincerely, T WHITTLE Acting Sergeant Major D Company 7th Royal Irish Rifles" Yesterday the parents received the following letter from Major Stocker. It reads "Trenches BEF 19.4.16. Dear Mr & Mrs Bree, It is with the utmost regret that I have to write to you on the death of your son. He was killed in the Front Line on 16th inst, last Sunday. He was a good lad and I knew him well, he always did his duty. I sympathise with you in your loss and our loss too; I am sure words will not help you in your grief and that only time will heal. I trust the time will soon come when you will be able to forget your distress and be consoled by the knowledge that he died for his Country. We all sympathise with you but all was done that could be done for him under the circumstances. Yours sincerely W A STOCKER" Rifleman Bree is the first member of the Jersey Company below the rank of officer to be killed in action. The deceased was 22 in January last. The sympathy of all our readers we feel sure is extended to the family in their bereavement.

 

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Record