After receiving the above message from the army Stewart Stone’s mother Catherine wrote the following letter in reply.
Dear Sir, We received the information of our second son’s sad state, I mean No. 352 Driver S. Stone, 11 Light Horse Regiment. It is very sad & him so far away- poor lad. We’ve not seen him for early five years, he was one of the first to go to fight for King and country. Should you receive any further information let us know as soon as possible please.
And thanks for being prompt on this occasion, for I have an idea of what there is for you to do. I feel rather worried so please excuse errors. With your message we also received another that our 3rd son (1) aged 19 has gone into hospital from Goulburn Military Camp, & two days previous I received word that my sister is passing away in Stawell, Victoria. My husband is ill and lame. My oldest (2) son is doing his duty in France.
I hope and pray that God will protect them & bring them back safely. Again thanking you, yours Respectfully, K.L.Stone. (3)
Notes: (1) Marcus Raymond Hope Stone b. 16 February 1898. (2) Derwent Gerald Johnson Stone b. 19 August 1891. (3) Catherine Lucy Stone – in other letters she signs herself Catherine with a “C”!
