NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Monday 6 November 1916

Roll of Honour. The parents of the late Lieutenant E Renouf of 54th Battalion Canadian Infantry, who died of wounds on 18 October, have received the following letters of condolence.

"Dear Mrs Renouf, It is with the most heartfelt sympathy that I write to confirm the death of your son, Lieutenant Edward Renouf. He was severely wounded several days ago and died at the Dressing Station last Thursday morning. Ed and I roomed together at Bramshott for several months and became great friends. We all liked him very much and are all extremely sorry that he has left us. He was not only well liked by all officers but he was a most popular officer with his men. When order came for our Battalion to go into the trenches he went to the men in his platoon and enquired whether they had any cigarettes and when the answer was no he gave each man a packet. This was not only done once but many times and his whole time was spent looking after the welfare of his men. He was most attentive to his work and is a great loss to the 54th Battalion. Owing to military reasons I am not at liberty to write just where he was wounded nor where he is buried, but a record of these particulars is kept and in due course you will be notified. All the officers of the 54th Battalion join me in extending to you our heartfelt sympathy, and if there is anything I can do for you I will be only too pleased to do so. I remain yours faithfully, R N GREEN, Captain. Somewhere in France. 23 October 1916".

The second letter reads "On active service. Chaplain Service Canadian Corps. Mrs M A Renouf, St Mary, Jersey. Dear Mrs Renouf, It is my duty to confirm the sad intelligence already sent to you of the death of your son, Lieutenant Edward Renouf, who died of wounds received in action on 19 October. He was very seriously wounded by shrapnel and became immediately unconscious and was carried to the nearest Dressing Station where he died. The Chaplain who was present with him at death reported that the body was buried and the grave marked and all will be done that can be done to keep the grave marked, but the whole region is under shellfire. I had a very intimate conversation with Edward, knowing him well when he was in Vancouver, and got to know him and to appreciate his many excellent qualities still better during his camp life in Vernon, Bramshott and here. He was an excellent fellow, most popular with both officers and men, always bright and ready to face the most dangerous situation with a fine spirit. I can assure you we have no officer more respected than your son was. The Colonel made a personal request that I should convey his sympathy to you and assure you of the highest esteem in which he held Edward. I feel I have lost a very dear friend and the Battalion a most valued officer. He often talked to me of his willingness to face danger and death, content to do his duty for home and Country. Let me assure you, and all the members of your family, of my personal sympathy and I pray God that He will comfort and sustain you all in the sorrow that has come to you in the loss of such a bright boy.

Most sincerely yours,

H WHITE, Chaplain 54th Battalion 5th Force Canadians BEF France. 23 October 1916".